Back in my teaching days, by far the most outstanding professional development workshop I went to was presented by Mem Fox. She was an absolutely charming presenter, full of helpful advice, (from her own days of teaching and her experience as a children’s writer), funny stories and anecdotes. But the most overwhelming emotion I walked away from the seminar that day was with an increased passion for quality literature and reading aloud to children.
I had already long been a fan of Mem Fox’s children’s books. I had also read her book for adults, “Reading Magic”. (Which is well worth a read if you want to also be inspired by the importance of reading aloud to your child and how to do it well.) But it is always so inspiring when you listen to someone who is eloquent and passionate about their topic.
When I was contacted and given a copy of her latest book, (although, if you read here you’ll discover she actually wrote this story awhile back), I was very enthusiastic to host a giveaway.
I was thrilled, upon reading the book, that “Good Night, Sleep Tight” contains well loved nursery rhymes. When I was teaching early childhood, I was often astonished how many children were not familiar with popular nursery rhymes and fairytales. After all, these classics are often early literacy at its best. Mem wrote this book, in response to a statistic stating that, “Children who know six nursery rhymes by heart by the time they’re four are usually in the top reading group by the age of eight.” So, to be on the safe side, “Good Night, Sleep Tight” contains seven rhymes. I think that statistic alone encourages me to keep reading this story, many, many more times!
“Good Night, Sleep Tight”, is full of Mem Fox and Judy Horacek magic. Bonnie and Ben are being put to bed by their very attentive favourite babysitter. He tells them a series of nursery rhymes that his mother taught him before insisting that they go to sleep. It is a story small children find compelling, full of repetition and bright colourful illustrations that capture the imagination. My own children have loved it, especially T-Star, who insisted I read it again immediately after I finish. The first time I read it to him, I continued to read it to him four times consecutively. (The only reason it wasn’t a read a fifth time was entirely to do with me declining the opportunity to do so.)
J Boy has been particularly interested in the prospect of giving away THREE copies of this book. He has accepted the position to be the official judge deciding who the books will be given too.
 |
| The judge and his sidekick. |
So, if you would like to have a little fun and win a copy of “Good Night, Sleep Tight”, write us a rhyme telling my six year old something (it can be anything!) you have learned from your mother, or in the words of Skinny Doug, “I’ll tell you another I heard from my mother”. It need not be long, 2-4 lines should be sufficient, but it must be appealing to a six year old boy! Make sure you let me know your email address, so I can contact the winners on the 23rd of January. If I get no reply from you, I will choose another winner the next day. You must have an Australian mailing address in order to win.
***NB. This competition is now over.
 |
| And the back cover! |
25 Comments
We love Mem fox!
Way to go! I’ll tell you another I heard from my Mother – “It’s entirely acceptable to hit my brother, IF I allow him to hit me back”
Eat your tea,
Can you not see,
What begging you is doing to me?
Please, please eat your tea!!!
Do not leave your vegetables on your plate;
Eat them up (if possible) – your body needs them, and cannot wait.
Don’t leave home without brushing your hair
Don’t you know people will stare?
And always wear clean underwear
In this day and age, you must prepare!
And don’t leave home without showing you care
A kiss and a hug for that’s only fair
I’m always around to ensure your welfare
Because with mums, no one else can compare!
My mummy taught me it’s oh so rude,
To burp at the table when eating my food.
She says to remember to chew it well first.
But sometimes I feel like I’m going to burst!
And when I HAVE to let that sneaky burp free,
I will blame the dog….just like my daddy!!!
Juanita Wells
I heard this from Mum,
She says she is a little “glum”!
Little man, little man,
Do you think you can,
Make her iggle, squiggle,
Wriggle and giggle?
Never pick your nose
Using your big toes
Because if they get stuck
You’ll need a tow truck
To pull it out
And you’ll really SHOUT!
Cheers Sharon Fawcett
sharon7999@yahoo.com
You’re not supposed to eat your snot!
No, you really are not not not!
But if Mum’s not looking, if she’s busy cooking…
Get your finger up there but don’t let her see what you’ve got!
How could a 6 yr (or 8 or 10) old boy resist this one!
Eat your vegies and grow big and strong,
give mum something to be proud of all day long.
Rachael Rowberry email. rachyoville@yahoo.com.au
Eat your vegies and grow big and strong,
give mum something to be proud of all day long.
Rachael Rowberry email. rachyoville@yahoo.com.au
Here is something I’ll tell to you,
It was told to me by my mother too…
Never go to bed with wet hair,
Cos when you wake up you’ll look like a bear!
Tracy
skeeter_93@yahoo.com
My mother said to eat my greens
Broccoli, spinach, peas & beans
She said they’d make me big & strong
Now I’m older I know she was wrong
As a child I did what Mum said
I ate my greens, I was well fed
As an adult, I’m not real big
And I’m only strong enough to break a twig
What went wrong, how can this be?
My Mum was wrong I now can see
I’m not big & strong, Mum may have lied
But I AM healthy now, and feel good inside
Our Mums sometimes say things that don’t seem right
But they always have our best interests in sight
So listen carefully to what your Mum might say
It will serve you well & you may say it too one day!
veiledturnip@yahoo.com.au
“Wear clean undies” my Mum always said.
Didn’t make sense in my childhood head.
6 I was, too busy having fun.
Mum was trying ’cause i usually wore none…
mkcbob@gmail.com
Do not eat smelly jelly.
I tried it once, It hurts the belly.
Please believe me when I say it to you,
I don’t want the same thing to happen to you.
ditzygirlinamadworld@gmail.com
Dear little child
It’s no surprise, you see,
That once swallowed gum will always be
In your tummy.
So with that in mind,
Chew lots and lots, please.
But never, never, never
swallow.
For if you do,
Mummy will tell all kinds
of stories and you will find
That “good” is now your middle name.
:o)
(I just did this for fun. :o)
My Mum always told me:
Books are so much fun
There is something for everyone.
I will add to that for your 6 year old:
Books are so much fun
There is something for everyone
Lots of crafty books for Mum
Books for Dad on counting fun
Grandma has a book on making a yummy bun
Grandpa has one for making his own rum
My sister reads hers lying on her tum
My brothers read books while on the run
And I have a counting book that starts at number one.
So grab a book
find a nook
and READ READ READ.
mnktaylor@icloud.com
When attending “Nannas for Manners” training camp Nana always remind my six year old boy:
“Be a sweetie
Lift the seatie”
“Brush your teeth” my Mummy said
“It’s a must before you go to bed”;
“If you don’t, they’ll all come loose
And you’ll end up looking like a goose”
My Mummy Said
Dana: jdstephens@netspace.net.au
Always tell mum you love her
Always kiss her goodnight
Cause when you’re big and you’re strong
You’ll know she was right xx
This didn’t really come from my mother but did come from a mother ….. ME ….. I made it up and as a mother a mother of teenagers ……. it’s the little things!