10 books to read before turning 10

The Sydney Morning Herald has recently compiled a list of '10 books to read before turning 10', which highlights just some of the children's books (both classic and new) that are popular with children today.

Early Childhood Australia has a focus of birth to eight years, however these books will be appropriate to share with children as they first discover reading, and then continue to grow and mature, looking for more exciting and more challenging stories.

The list was compiled by Angie Schiavone, with input from children's literature experts. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, many children struggle to engage with reading until they find a book which captures their imagination:

'Like adults, kids make judgements about books that are often instinctive and never objective. It's natural: they'll hate some books and love others, just because. But if a child proclaims to hate reading altogether, chances are they just haven't discovered the right book yet.'

The books which made the Sydney Morning Herald top ten are:

1. Animalia by Graeme Base
2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
3. Matilda by Roald Dahl
4. Tashi by Anna and Barbara Fienberg
5. Possum Magic by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas
6. Miraculous Journey Of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
7. The Lorax by Dr Seuss
8. The Bugalugs Bum Thief by Tim Winton
9. Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
10. Charlotte's Web by E. B. White

Read the Sydney Morning Herald article '10 books to read before turning 10'

Top 12 books of 2008

In November 2008, Jenni Connor, a member of the Early Childhood Australia's publications committee and widely respected teacher, principal, curriculum manager and author, released her top 12 picture books of 2008.

The list covers books for various stages of children's growth and development, from the very young up to children who are starting pre-school or attending school.

For babies and toddlers (up to three years):

1. I'm still awake, still! by Elizabeth Honey & Sue Johnson
2. Sleep tight, my honey by Lisa Shanahan & Wayne Harris
3. Baby bird's blankie by Margaret Wild & Gwyn Perkins
4. Cheeky monkey by Andrew Daddo & Emma Quay

For babies to pre-schoolers (three to six years):

1. Puffling by Margaret Wild & Julie Vivas
2. The littlest dinosaur by Michael Foreman

Toddlers to school age (four to eight years):

1. Paraphernalia's present by Diana Lawrenson & Dee Huxley
2. Cock-a-doodle-doo! by Cecily Matthews & Lorette Broekstra
3. Fat Pat by Kilmeny Niland

Pre-schoolers to school-age (five to eight years):

1. Collecting colour by Kylie Dunstan (with respect to the Fibre artists of the Injalak Arts community)
2. Sunday Chutney by Aaron Blabey
3. Duck, Death and the tulip by Wolf Erlbruch

Read Jenni Connor's 'Best picture books of 2008'

Top 12 books of 2007

Jenni Connor also compiled a list of the top 12 books released in 2007.

For babies and toddlers (up to three years):

1. Shhh! Little Mouse by Pamela Allen
2. Just Like My Dad by David Melling
3. Are You Hungry? by Tina Burke
4. The Bear in the Cave by Michael Rosen & Adrian Reynolds

For babies to pre-schoolers (three to six years):

1. Annie to the Rescue by Deborah Niland
2. What Will You Be? by Simon French & Donna Rawlins
3. Piglet and Mama by Margaret Wild & Stephen Michael King

Toddlers to school age (four to eight years):

1. The Trouble with Dogs by Bob Graham
2. Henny Penny by Vivian French & Sophie Windham
3. Old Tom's Big Book of Beauty by Leigh Hobbs
4. The Most Beautiful Lantern by Sally Heinrich

Books for the family to share:

1. Crow and the Waterhole by Amberlin Kwaymullina
2. Ziba Came on a Boat by Liz Lofthouse & Robert Ingpen
3. Dust by Colin Thompson
4. Mang, the Wild Orangutan by Joan & John van Loon

Read Jenni Connor's 'Best picture books of 2007'

Everyday learning about reading and writing

Early Childhood Australia has also recently released Everyday Learning about reading and writing, an invaluable resource that will assist in incorporating early literacy learning into day-to-day experiences in the home. It provides advice on how to:

• make children aware of the everyday uses of literacy
• be prepared for when children learn to read and write
• provide educational and fun literacy play opportunities
• encourage children to start thinking critically about literacy
• inspire children to view literacy as meaningful and functional.

Read a sample chapter from Everyday learning about reading and writing.

Further reading

Language and learning – Links to free resources in ECA's 'Supporting Best Practice' link directory, including the following subsections:

About reading
About early literacy
About listening and talking
About writing
About stories and storytelling

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