Family Focus
Families are the focus in this contender for the Childrens Book Council Awards shortlisted for Older Readers. In One Whole and Perfect Day by Judith Clarke
People with Flaws
I liked the characters and settings. I loved the grandparents especially. The grandmother living in her beautiful world and creating magic and harmony for the family. The cranky grandpa who threatens and rants in the family, yet privately is not racist or cruel. They were believable and offered insight into the ways children, parents, grandparents and community interact and form happy alliances, warts and all.
Compassion
There was compassion in this story. The characters cared for others. Each of them demonstrated their vulnerability and extended care for one another and outsiders and this was the strength of the story to me.
CBCA Award Comments
I found the start hard to get involved with, and feel this book isn’t in the same league as the previously read shortlisted books. Yet having said that, it is a pleasing tale and is well worth a read.
Reading Challenge Stocktake
Premiers Reading Challenge
At school our kids participate in the Premiers Reading Challenge at year 7, 8 and 9. They need to read 15 books in a period of around 6 months. Most of them complete this and I try to challenge them to extend themselves a little. 10 of the books they read need to come from a list. I like to complete the challenge also and read 10 from the CBCA Award shortlist. The CBCA Award winners are announced during Childrens Book Week which is 18th – 24th August. This co-incides with the end of the Premiers Reading Challenge, which for schools is 17th August.
My Challenge Progress
The challenge began on the 31st January and in this time I’ve read; ‘Don’t Call Me Ishmael’ by Michael Gerard Bauer , ‘The Red Shoe’ by Ursula Dubosarsky, ‘Red Spikes’ by Margo Lanagan and ‘One Whole and Perfect Day by Judith Clarke. From my own choice books, I’ve read ‘The Lollipop Shoes’ by Joanne Harris, ‘The Witch of Portobello’ by Paulo Coelho, ‘The Journeys of Socrates’ by Dan Millman, ‘Stalker’ by Hazel Edwards , ‘The Running Man’ by Michael Gerard Bauer, ‘The Zahir’ by Paulo Coelho, ‘Theodora’s Gift’ by Ursula Duborsarsky, ‘White Time by Margo Lanagan, ‘Flying South’ by L M Elliott and ‘I Heard the Owl Call My Name’ by Margaret Craven. So I’ve actually over read in my own choice section. Well I guess that is the challenge! I have the last two from the shortlist for older readers, and one of the 2007 Eve Pownall Award for Information Books shortlisted books, because it had red in the title of course. I aim to read these during the next week.
In Summary
So I’ve read 4 out of 10 from the CBCA Awards shortlist. I have 3 here from the list to complete and would like to read the Catherine Bateson’s book ‘Being Bee’ in the Younger Readers Category as well as the one with Macbeth in the title by Jackie French. That will make 9. I’ve read two picture books from the list, so I will reread them and review them and then my work is done. Work – that’s a joke, I love reading. It’s been great listing this. It made me realise some more progress made.
Home Insurance in Gippsland
Two of my friends have been shopping for household contents insurance in the last week or so. Both have mentioned to me they can’t find an insurance company willing to ensure anyone in Gippsland due to the floods. I remember the last time I looked into insurance, the person on the phone read to me the list of situations where the insurance wouldn’t cover damage. After hearing all the exceptions, I decided against it. I couldn’t think of much that could happen that would be covered.
On the news this evening it mentioned that many of those who had their homes damaged by the flood waters were finding they weren’t covered by their insurance policies.
Perhaps all the people in Gippsland should check their policies and stop paying their premiums if it is of no value to them.