Storycloud

Storycloud is a special new site set up for a limited time.  From now until September 3rd, there will be one new story to read or listen to each Monday - great for storytime either at school, or at home over the holidays!  Just click on the picture below, and enjoy!

The Truth about Verity Sparks

Here is a review of one of the books on the New Book stand this week - for confident senior readers.  Quirky, fun, and imaginative!

BOOK REVIEW: The Truth about Verity Sparks (Susan Green, Walker Books)

Written by: Bookseller+Publisher magazine

Posted: 20 September 2011 at 1:11 pm

The Truth about Verity Sparks is an engaging mystery for the 10-plus age group. Set in the late 1800s, it concerns Verity Sparks, a lowly hat maker in class-ridden London. Verity lives a meagre existence until she realises that she has a unique talent in finding lost objects. Before she knows it she has joined the Confidential Inquiry Agency (with its amusing acronym) and proves to be quite adept at solving mysteries. Her own past is murky, however, so she and her newfound friends set out to discover the truth. Susan Green has written a story with a strong female heroine that is sure to engage both girls and boys. At first, Verity is painted as somewhat ignorant and Green cleverly introduces ‘big’ words via other characters. Imaginations will run wild with the thrill of not knowing what is going to happen next, and The Truth about Verity Sparks certainly delivers. Let’s hope Susan Green has further adventures up her sleeve for Verity, as there is definitely scope for more.

Katie Horner is the former assistant editor of Bookseller+Publisher and was an avid ‘Nancy Drew’ fan in her day. This review first appeared in the July issue of Bookseller+Publisher magazine.

This book is a finalist in the Australian Children's Book of the Year competition for 2012.  Winners will be announced in August. 

Junior Storytime

It's the Juniors' turn for a blogpost this week...
and, since the weather has turned a bit colder, it might be nice to get cosy and listen to a good story.  
A classic fairytale, anyone?