5th December International Ninja Day

International Ninja Day is held on 5th December. Historically, a ninja - or shinobi in Japanese - was a mercenary during the Sengoku period in Japan. Specialised in infiltration and espionage, these warriors were usually from the countryside without access to armour and weapons. Hence, many of their weapons came from agricultural roots, such as the Kunai and sickles. The black clothing that characterises the ninja today resulted from their representation in theatre. It symbolises how invisible they were to the ruling class as humble farmers without specific clothing, weapons, or banner.

Small boys seem to revel in everything to do with Ninjas. Whenever we do a display in the library, the books 'walk out the door' very quickly. Luckily there is so many of them. See:

There are fairytale ninjas, 

grandmother ninjas,

and plenty of beginning chapter book series

Still more? Look here.

2nd August Goldfish Day

 

I know it is not August, but while shelving, weeding and tidying the shelves this week because it is the last week of school at my Australian school, I noticed how many picture books feature goldfish. I then wondered if there was a day to celebrate goldfish on which we could do a display because we haven't done one before. Well there is. It is the 2nd August, so I'm writing now so I don't forget to do a display next year. 

Some teachers have a goldfish in their classroom and they will often come and ask for a book to read to their class. Everyone knows 

• A Fish Out of Water by Helen Palmer

A little boy who overfeeds his goldfish begins an adventure that brings even the police and a fire engine to cope with a fish out of water.

But, I like to give them one that they may not know and that is humorous or informative such as:

• Who Fed Zed?  by Amelia McInerney

Zed the fish is white and red.
His poo hangs down in one long thread. 
The main thing, though, is what Fred said,
'NEVER, EVER FEED ZED BREAD.'

• We Don't Lose Our Class Goldfish by Ryan T. Higgins

Penelope Rex has one fear- Walter, the class goldfish. So when Mrs. Noodleman tells the kids that they'll be taking turns bringing Walter home, Penelope gets carried away by her anxious imagination.

• Something's Fishy  by Kevin McCloskey

Some fish breathe air and some fish fly, but the most wonderful fish of all turns out to be the one you've got at home. 

• My Pet Goldfish by Catherine Rayner

The child narrating this story has been given their first ever pet: a tiny fish with shimmering scales and bright beady eyes… Their very own goldfish! Sitting alongside the gentle narrative and dynamic illustrations, the subtext introduces facts about goldfish and their care – some gentle, some funny, some fascinating.

• Poor Fish!  by Jane Godwin

It's Saturday morning. Auskick starts soon. But there's something wrong with Brendan's fish.

Then these are the others I could choose from:

 

And if you are looking for short chapter books try these:

13th December National Day of the Horse

"Horse day" can refer to several different observances, including the 

United Nations' World Horse Day on July 11th which began in 2025. In the United States, National Horse Day is observed on December 13th. Additionally, there is National Help A Horse Day on April 26th, and some countries, like Australia, have their own specific dates, such as August 1st, designated as "all horses' birthday". 

December 13th in the USA is a day to remember the economic, historic, and cultural contributions that horses have made. Equine enthusiasts across the country will get together  to show their appreciation for these majestic creatures.

Next year will be the Year of the Horse in the Chinese Zodiac, so I have begun collecting together all the books about horses in our library for a display to start the year.The Horse (⾺) is the seventh of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the  Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar.  There is a long tradition of the horse in Chinese mythology.

• The Horse and the Mysterious Drawing by Li Jian

In this book, one in a series by Li Jian which has a story for each of the zodiac animals, we get a folktale about a boy and how he changed his family's fortune.

Long ago in China, there was a little boy who lived a nomadic life with his family. Hunger and hardship followed them wherever they went. They tried to grow food once, but whenever the seeds were sown, winter came and all the seedlings became frozen.

One day, while passing by the Yellow River, the boy's white horse suddenly got free of the reins and plunged into the river. After a while, the horse sprang out of the water with a drawing on its back.

Everyone wondered what the drawing meant, but only the boy was clever enough to figure it out and explained to his family: "This drawing shows the cycle of the changing seasons. The horse wants to help us grow grains to make food. Why don't we do what is on this drawing and sow seeds in the spring, water them in the summer, and harvest in the autumn. In the winter, we need to let the earth rest."

These two books by Ed Young also show wonderful horse illustrations in a Chinese style.

General nonfiction about horses:

Some great Australian horses to read about:

  

Some picture book stories:

There are so many chapter book series about horses, but one I like that is good fun, is this one, Fables from the Stables by Gavin Puckett. It is perfect for young beginning readers.

For more books about horses that you can add to a display see this Pinterest page.