Category: Books

Structured Literacy was originally a term used by the International Dyslexia Association to describe evidence-based approaches to literacy effective for children with dyslexia[1]. However, there is “substantial evidence” that all children can benefit from learning to read through a Structured Literacy approach[2] and New Zealand schools are increasingly embracing this pedagogy.

Structured Literacy is based on what has been termed the ‘science of reading’ which is a vast body of international research exploring how children (and the brain) learn to read and the best practice for teaching reading. Structured Literacy is an

“explicit systematic, and sequential teaching of literacy at multiple levels – phonemes, letter–sound relationships, syllable patterns, morphemes, vocabulary, sentence structure, paragraph structure, and text structure…”[3]

Each stage of a Structured Literacy approach covers a certain range of letters or blends of letters. Depending on what sequence is used an example of the letters covered in Stage 1 may be: m, s, f, a, p, t, c, i. At each stage children are taught, among other significant aspects of reading, the sound/s and corresponding written symbol (letter/s) of the relevant set of letters. The words in the accompanying books (decodables) of each stage focus on words containing these letters. Having said that, however, they do contain ‘heart words’:

“Heart words are words with an irregular spelling pattern or high frequency words with a spelling pattern that hasn’t yet been taught”[4] e.g. ‘my’, ‘said’.

It is argued that because the young reader has been taught in a very structured and sequential way to decode/sound out the letters, on reading the relevant stage books there is less dependency on using the pictures and/or conjecture in trying to figure out what the word might be. In addition, understanding context, meaning, grammar etc. are all critical aspects of teaching reading via Structured Literacy.

Please contact your child’s teacher to find out if Structured Literacy is part of the school’s pedagogy if you are unsure, and, if so, what stage your child is currently reading. Depending on what stage your child is at they may or may not be ready for a particular stage of books, so it is important to match their learning with the appropriate stage of decodable books.

The above is a brief overview of the Structured Literacy approach, which has many layers and complex teaching practices. In addition to talking with the school, please click on the links below to gain a more comprehensive understanding of decodables, Structured Literacy, and the science of reading.

Structured Literacy Instruction: The Basics | Reading Rockets

Understanding Structured Literacy | Inclusive Education (tki.org.nz)

The ‘Little Learners Love Literacy’ decodables mentioned in the September Children’s newsletter, cover 7.5 Stages and the library currently holds packs and individual titles covering all stages.  

Sunshine Phonics Decodables is a structured literacy approach to learning to read and Sunshine Books have published a large number of decodable books to support this programme. The Library already holds many Sunshine decodables and is working to increase the titles available over the next few weeks.

You will find decodable books in the early reader section (Chapter Books) of the library and can be found on the catalogue by searching the keywords ‘Sunshine decodable’ and/or ‘Little Learners Love Literacy’.

Though there may be some bench-mark timeframes in which children will complete these stages we must remember that every child will traverse their reading journey differently and at their own pace.

At the end of each book, suggestions on discussing what the book is about etc. are given for the child to further explore what they have read and to develop and consolidate meaning, as meaning making is equally important and crucial to mastering the delight that is ‘reading’. Such dialogue is influential not only for your child’s reading, but also for their developing oral language skills, which are fundamental to reading and writing skills[5]. In line with these informal discussions, the library would like to emphasise that these resources are supportive material only for you and your children to enjoy together at home to practice what they have already learnt at school as opposed to being tools for you to ‘teach’ your children to read.

The library also continues to strongly encourage reading to your child as well as enabling them time and space to read with you or independently, as reading to children remains one of the greatest gifts you can share with them. Reading to your child not only provides a nourishing supportive, loving reading experience for you both, but also allows your child to hear language which may be beyond their current reading ability, thereby extending their lexicon, enriching their awareness of words and language, enabling them to better articulate their opinions and feelings and express themselves, and inspiring them to wonder in more vivid and imaginative language. All this helps in deepening their understanding of themselves and of the world around them and their connection to it.

Content Development Librarian: Children and Young Adult

[1] Understanding Structured Literacy | Inclusive Education (tki.org.nz)

[2] Structured Literacy Instruction: The Basics | Reading Rockets

[3] Understanding Structured Literacy | Inclusive Education (tki.org.nz)

[4] 01994d_d54524c90a484436a77014d331a82b56.pdf (lizkaneliteracy.co.nz)

[5] Oral language / Knowledge of literacy / Learning about my students’ needs / Literacy Online / English – ESOL – Literacy Online website – English – ESOL – Literacy Online (tki.org.nz)

Bravepaw and the Heartstone of Alluria by L. M. Wilkinson Ill. by Lavanya Naidu.

From start to finish this book hurdles along with ups and downs, twists and turns. And at the heart is the amazing, lovable character Titch. Titch wants to be a warrior like the mythical Bravepaw and yearns to prove her courage and skill. Fighting imaginary foes and the odd ‘puffling’, she practices with a wooden sword in the hope of one day becoming skilled enough to save her village in an attack. The only problem is, nothing ever happens on the Plateau, her home and “the safest place in all of Allura.” But soon she and her true friend Huckleberry are caught up in a terrifying battle with curseworms – phantom like creatures that feed on “colour and life” after a Prince crash lands on the Plateau pursued by these vile beings. And as myths become truths, Titch must accept her destiny to protect all she loves. The pace never wavers, as one danger fades others rear up, keeping the reader captivated. While staying true to the quest and hero tropes, inventive storytelling brings excitement and energy to the narrative and black and white illustrations throughout offer additional glimpses of Titch’s world and the dangers she faces. In addition, they provide young readers respite from reading text enabling them to recover some of the energy they have expelled during the reading so far. Thereto, the occasional engaging play with fonts along with large print and generous line spacing also support the reading journey. Such writing techniques and formatting also provide a sense of ever moving forward, affording the reader an even greater sense of a fast pace story unfolding. This thrilling adventure is a great read aloud and highly recommended for readers aged 7+

Content Development Librarian: Children’s and Young Adult

Bugs: a Skittery, Jittery History by Miriam Forster Illustrated by Gordy Wright

An intriguing, highly engaging look into the astonishing world of crawling and aerial arthropods.

Did you know the longest millipede recorded to date has 1306 legs or that the Arthropleura (a millipede relative living some 325 million years ago) measured over 2.7 metres long?

This beautifully designed book explores the myriad of bugs that inhabit our world today and those now extinct, spanning back some 520 million years. From trilobites – prehistoric saltwater bugs – to the humble ant, this highly engaging publication introduces us to the spectacular and ingenious world of arthropods. Forster outlines what makes arthropods special, examining how many have been so successful and thrived and their critical role in sustaining life on earth, enabling other fauna as well as flora to flourish. Throughout the book, ‘Toolboxes’ take a close look at the fascinating physiology and behaviour of bugs, explaining how certain features have helped them adapt and survive, including segmentation, breathing, eyes, smell and colony life.  Scientific terms are all explained, and an abundance of intriguing facts are both informative and highly entertaining. A “Bug Hall of Fame” showcases those bugs that win a range of  categories such as the heaviest, the smallest and widest wingspan and small pockets of information bubbles peppered throughout the book add more fascinating info bites, expanding on the main body of text. Timelines provide information on when ancestors of today’s arthropods first appeared and accompanying text often elaborates on the type of environment they lived in, giving the young reader a glimpse of what life on earth was like millions of years ago. Detailed illustrations also provide a visual idea of what these now long-ago extinct creatures looked like. Though there is no contents page or index (a bit of a bugbear of mine), the book is well formatted, making it easy to follow whether it is read from beginning to end or simply dipped into. The plight of today’s insects is discussed and helpful ‘how to’ sections at the back afford information on how we can study and help bugs at home.

This is a wonder of a book for any curious young reader – if they’re not already captivated by arthropodology, they soon will be.

Content Development Librarian – Children’s and Young Adult

Vox Books allow young readers to read along while listening to the story. On the inside cover of each title is a Vox Reader and they are super easy to use – just turn it on, press play, and the audio recording will start. The volume can be adjusted, and search buttons enable the child to leap back to hear part of the book again or to move forward. With a built-in speaker and headphone jack, Vox Books can be enjoyed alone by the child or by the whole family and/or friends. These different reading modes can enhance the reading experience for the child through affording control over the reading if using the book by themselves or by providing a comforting, supported and social experience if listening and reading along with other family members or friends. Vox Books do not require WiFi or the support of other devices so they can be taken anywhere, and the rechargeable battery means no need to have batteries on hand.

Reading aloud to children is a crucial aspect of literacy development for many reasons[1] including providing young readers with the opportunity to hear vocabulary and stories – be they non-fiction or fiction –that may be beyond their current reading ability, further enriching their encounters with story and language.

In addition, more specific to Vox Books, research has shown audio read alongs (the use of which is termed audio assisted reading) can assist young readers by

• improving a child’s ability to recognize sight words [words that are not easy to decode, such as was, or those that include letter/sound combinations that the child has not learnt yet].
• and advancing comprehension – meaning making skills

as well as provide a rich reading model, “fluent and expressive”.[2]

Vox books can be a highly enjoyable reading experience, which will, in itself, help enhance literacy skills and a love of reading. As part of a rich and diverse reading diet, Vox Books can add yet another exciting tool to your child’s reading toolbox.

Find Vox Books on the Library catalogue.

[1] Reading at home | Services to Schools (natlib.govt.nz) 

Learning to Read and Write: What Research Reveals | Reading Rockets

[2] Audio-Assisted Reading | Reading Rockets

This young adult verse novel is a fictionalized account of the author’s own experience with an eating disorder. It is at once, hard hitting and hope filled.

Jake suffers from anorexia nervosa and constantly struggles with the ruling, manipulative ‘voice in his head’. Out of concern for not only his physical health, but is whole well-being, he is sent to Whispering Pines in the hope of silencing this dominating force and getting his life back. Though Jake’s journey here often gives rise to confusion, panic, fear, and anger, he also finds light, support, friendship, and growing self-belief. John Schu’s prudent choice in rendering this highly emotional, tender, and confronting story through the verse novel form was both inspiring and requisite. Each word impacts, some sing, some scream, and all challenge. Jake becomes known to the reader, really known as the immediacy of this medium resonates with authenticity, the gravity of Jake’s situation and the assurance of hope and courage.

Schu’s lyrical style informs and imparts both the depth of Jake’s torment and jubilation of hope.

This book is for all of us as we traverse our own journeys, and write our own stories.

‘Louder Than Hunger’ is in the Youth – Relationships collection. Find it on the Library catalogue here.

Kay

Content Development Librarian: Children’s and Young Adult

Foxlight, by Katya Balen

A tale of strong emotional bonds exploring concepts of family, identity and belonging.

Siblings Fen and Rey have been brought up in foster care after being found in the woods as babies, seemingly protected by foxes. Times are sometimes tough, and though their home is a happy one, warmed with love and laughter, a void dwells in them both. They know nothing of their past and long to find their mother. Fen and Rey reside in a liminal space, neither fully connected to their past or present, a feeling enabled by this constant need to know where they came from. To make peace with their sense of loss and abandonment they tell each other elaborate stories, adventures of their mother, rationalizing why they were left and why she remains outside their lives.

As questions increasingly fracture their stories, Fen begins to see moments of orange, a fox perhaps, which the children sense as a messenger from their mother. Fen and Rey eventually follow the shape, risking all, in the hope it will lead them to her and to the many answers they seek. Their plight takes them on a cryptic and often dangerous journey marked by doubts, disappointments, and fragments of hope.

Katya Balen has written a beautiful, always moving, often heartbreaking story of hope, love, and acceptance. Her lyrical writing style imbues depth, sensitivity and wonder into the narrative, creating a remarkable, emotional, and immersive reading experience. Highly recommended for readers aged 9+. Katya Balen’s book October, October won the 2022 Yoto Carnegie Medal.

Foxlight can be found in the Children’s area in the Animals – Fiction collection.

Clever Crow by Chris Butterworth Illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill

An exquisite book on a most intriguing family of birds.

From the brief blurb I read about ‘Clever Crow’, I sensed the book held all the promise of being a fascinating addition to the library’s Children’s collection. And I was not disappointed.

Short snippets provide curious, and perhaps little-known, facts about crows. Among other wonders, we learn of their intelligence, aerobatics (or lack of), habitat, playfulness, and song, or again, lack of as they tend to ‘caw’ rather than sing. We are left in no doubt that they are astonishing creatures. These wonderful insights are all set within the stunning mixed-media artwork of Olivia Lomenech Gill, who also illustrated J. K. Rowling’s ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’. Together the text and illustrations celebrate the crow, illuminating the subject beyond what either could do alone. This is an exquisite book on a most intriguing family of birds that will captivate young and old.

This book can be found in the Children’s area in the Picture Book collection.

Kay

Content Development Librarian: Children’s and Young Adult

‘He Taonga te Pūmahara | Memory Matters’ is a brand-new collection for people with dementia and memory loss, as well as their whānau and caregivers. Currently in New Zealand there are 70,000 people with a diagnosis of dementia | mate wareware. This is expected to increase to 170,000 by 2050. Memory Matters was developed in consultation with groups across NZ, as well as local organisations like Alzheimer’s Society Manawatu. Along with books, the collection includes games, puzzles, jigsaws, activity boards, and tactile fidget widgets. One item that is sure to be popular are the simple music players – preloaded with hundreds of songs and themed to suit the listener e.g. classical, popular hits through the decades, and NZ music. Memory Matters is available at Roslyn Library and Central Library (Fiction Zone, First Floor).