A Dog who loved a Queen – Jackie French

Recently Phinee was given the task of choosing the next book we would read aloud as a family. Her choice was one that did not really surprise me, given the fact that she loves anything connected to Mary Queen of Scotts or any other Royal Historical figure.

The Dog Who Loved a QueenThe Dog who loved a Queen by Jackie French is the second book in a 5 part series of books designed with Animal Stars at the front and centre of each Story.

The Dog who loved a Queen is a wonderful insight into the journey and life of a Scottish terrier who loyally loves Mary just as his mistress, rather than a Queen. The book is written from the dogs perspective and is engaging, interesting and funny.

As we read through this book, the children are enjoying the tale immensely and already have fallen in love with the queens Scottish Terrier ‘Folly’.

Based on the true story of the dog who was with Mary when she died The Dog Who Loved a Queen is a fascinating tale of religious bigotry plots and passion – and the unquestioning loyalty of a small Scottish terrier.

We can not recommend this book highly enough. The unique perspective of telling the story from the dogs view is fascinating for our children and simply caught their interest from the very first chapter. I imagine that most 9 -13 year olds could read the book easily on their own, but why not share this wonderful story set in a historical period with your younger children as well,  by reading this book aloud as a family.

The discussions we have had based around the different chapters is quite eye opening and the historical information the children pick up along the way is great. Whether or not you have an interest Mary Queen of Scotts or not, I am confident that your children will love this story regardless….

This book definitely gets ten out of ten from us!

Other Books / Magazines that get a ten out of ten from us….

Wacky But true Magazine

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Money Well Spent! – Wacky But True Subscription.

Quite a few years ago now we subscribed to a number of magazine for our children. Not only to help them in their learning, but just to encourage them to read. Among the ten magazines that we subscribed too, only one remains on each years continuous subscription list. Only the arrival of one magazine is eagerly awaited every month and only one is read from cover to cover, so after years of paying out for numerous children’s magazine subscriptions, we now only pay out for one…

Wacky But True.

Each edition is lovingly read from cover to cover. Enjoyed by multiple members of our family all of various ages and preserved on our bookshelf for reading at another time. Which occurs frequently.

The children happily roam around the house reading out the wacky and weird facts contained within the magazine and often remember them at times in the future when trivia questions are asked and friends talk about weird and wacky things.

The best part about this magazine is that it has no advertising in it at all. Every page is just jam packed with interesting and engaging facts, stories pictures and information that our children devour and remember!

Money well spent in our eyes…. We are however on the hunt for some other magazines that we might be able to subscribe too, so if you also have a magazine that your children can’t put down, please let us know about it!

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World Education Games 2012

Why not register your home school and start getting involved now (as of the 1st of February) for the three online Educational Games to be held on the 6, 7 & 8th of March.

 

The World Education Games 2012 will take place from 6-8 March 2012.

Sydney, Australia is the host city and over 1 million students from 200 countries are expected to participate.
World Spelling Day – 6 March 2012
World Maths Day – 7 March 2012
World Science Day – 8 March 2012

Registration and practice are free! Which country will win the Education World Cup in 2012?

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Learn to read – FREE 1 year Membership – save $99

I just signed up for this so know that it works...1 yr FREE membership – usual value $99 value – FREE with code: learntoread. A great way to get kids interested in reading or help those who are struggling. And as it is FREE for a 12 month membership, what have you got to loose? Just remember to put the code in first…

Animated books for children, story songs, sing-along songs, educational games, puzzles, poetry and activities that help teach kids to read. There are books in English and Spanish books for ESL children, learning English as a second language and books for kids with special needs.

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2012 – National Year of Reading

I know I have spoken a few times about how much we all love to read books. I fact my ultimate goal in life is to have enough books – and my own dedicated room -  to have my own library… Ambitious I know, but hey, I love books!

I however find it very distressing to know that according to love2read.org.au

Nearly half the population struggles without the literacy skills to meet the most basic demands of everyday life and work. There are 46% of Australians who can’t read newspapers; follow a recipe; make sense of timetables, or understand the instructions on a medicine bottle.

This statistic makes me so sad for all those people who can not read or stuggle with words. Yet it also makes me extremely happy that I have a family of readers, who can not only follow a recipe, make sense of timetables and read a newspaper, but choose to read for the sheer pleasure a book brings to their lives.

For us, the opportunity to read a book is an opportunity to be carried away to a far off time or place. It allows us the privilege of being able to view life through another persons perceptive. It brings far of lands closer to home and the opportunity to step back in time or travel to the future. Every word in every book, brings with it a new experience, an increased level of fulfillment and also contributes to the overall well being of us all.

So if you love books, why not share this love in 2012, by involving yourself in one of the following activities (these are just examples, the possibilities are endless!):

  • Read to your children for a minimum of 30 minutes a day or
  • Incorporate a minimum of one hour of reading into your learning week
  • Share a good book with a friend or family member
  • Buy a book as a gift for the birthday party you or your child/ren have been invited too.
  • Blog about your favourite book,
  • Spend family time around a book, rather than in front of the TV
  • Curl up in bed or on the couch with a good book

What ever you decide to to enjoy yourselves!

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