20th July Lollipop Day

Lollipops usually consist of hardened sugar and corn syrup with added flavouring. They are mounted on a stick and intended for licking or sucking. Lollipops come in dozens of flavours, colours, and shapes.

Lollipops have been around in some form or another since forever. With the surplus of sugar in the 17th century, the English started the trend of preparing boiled sugar candy and, of course, they inserted sticks into the treats. 

In Northern England, the word for ‘tongue’ is ‘lolly’ and pop means ‘slap’ — so ‘lolly pop’ means ‘tongue slap.’ The term probably got popularised by street vendors in London. 

It is George Smith, owner of the confectionery company Bradley Smith Company, who is credited for creating the modern lollipop that we all enjoy today. He started making them in 1908 and trademarked the word ‘lollipop’ in 1931. 

While we don't have an equivalent national day here in Australia, it's as good a time as any to celebrate this delicious confection on a stick! And who knew there were this many picture books featuring lollipops.

 

The Olympic Games - Paris 2024

'Occurring every four years—provided there is no global war or pandemic—the Summer Olympic Games bring together athletes from across the world to compete for the love of country and sport. While the slate of events has changed over the years, with sports regularly being added and removed, perennially popular sports persist—including gymnastics, swimming, diving, volleyball, and track and field.'

This explanation of the Olympic games is from Britannica, an online resource that is available to my students. It is a succinct statement of information that might be needed for students under eight. 

While my students will be interested in gymnastics and swimming, I'm not sure they are invested in the others mentioned. 

The most borrowed sport books in the library are about football, mainly soccer but sometimes the other codes too. While searching for books on other sports I was a bit dismayed at how few we had, a few on tennis, a few on basketball and a few more on BMX and cycling. We had more on skateboarding and surfing!

We do have a large number of biographies of famous sportsmen...Cathy Freeman, Ash Barty, Evonne Goolagong, Ibtihaj Muhammed, Leo Messi, Pele, Muhammed Ali, Usain Bolt, Matt Formston, Michael Jordan et al.

Not lots and lots, but enough for  two bins of books and a display. I'll be interested to see what is borrowed and how interested the students are. In the past it has been the parents and teachers who were more interested.

If you are looking for an inspirational book about all facets of sport and which includes lots of questions and activities for readers, see Super Sports Stars Who Are Changing the Game by Rick Broadbent and Alexander Mostov.

These four general sport books are frequently borrowed from our library.

  

19th July Global Hug Your Kids Day

Every year on the third Monday in July, Global Hug Your Kids Day encourages parents worldwide to hug their kids. It’s also a day to remember that it’s important to express love for others while you can.

A hug is a wonderful thing that communicates many things. Hugs are a great way to tell someone you care about them. Hugs can also be a way to say hello or goodbye. Some people give hugs to wish someone good luck. Giving a hug can be a great way to apologize to someone without using words.

Go and raid the library shelves ... you'll get lots of hugs...

13th July International Skinny Dipping Day 14th July National Nude Day

At the moment, it is a bit cold where I live in Australia to be out without clothes, but it is summer in the northern hemisphere, so there, there is the chance to get the sun all over!

International Skinny Dipping Day is the second Saturday in July. A day to experience the freedom of a dip in cold water without clothes.

National Nude Day is on the 14th July, a day for nudists to celebrate the freedom and wonder of a naked body.

I won't be derobing for anyone, but what a good opportunity to read some of the picture books where  children can giggle about being nude. See my blog from last year.

If you want to discuss when it is okay to be nude, this book, The Bunny Who Wanted to be Naked  by Vern Kousky makes for interesting comments from children.

Similarly this book discusses a question I am often asked by students Why is Art Full of Nude People?  by Susie Hodge.

Paris here we come! Picture books which will give students a feeling for France!

In the lead up to the Olympic Games, Bastille Day (14th July) and because the students at my school learn French and I know their French teacher will be talking about France and in particular Paris I have collected together, books for a display. There are so many great picture books to whet their appetites for France. At my school I know too, that many of my students have been there and will enjoy revisiting via stories.

Let's go to Paris first.

This is Paris  by Miroslav Sasek

First published in 1959 and now updated for the 21st century. We see its famous buildings, its beautiful gardens, the museums, the sidewalk cafes, and the people who live there -- artists, the concierges, the flower girls, and even the thousands of cats. Take a tour along the banks of the Seine, or through the galleries of the Louvre, or to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

A Walk in Paris  by Salvatore Rubbino

Paris...It’s the perfect place for a girl and her grandad to spend the day. Join them as they explore Paris’s iconic landmarks and experience its culture and style first-hand: visit a traditional street market, climb to the top of Notre-Dame, wander through the Tuileries Gardens and gaze up at the Eiffel Tower. 

Mr Chicken Goes to Paris  by Leigh Hobbs

Mr Chicken is overcome by the magic of Paris and all that the city has to offer, but the inhabitants of this most stylish city don't quite know what to make of him!

Mr Leon's Paris  by Barroux

I'm Monsieur Leon, Mr Leon, a Parisian taxi driver of many years, spends his days ferrying colourful characters to designations corresponding to his passengers' personalities and nationalities.

Ruby Red Shoes Goes to Paris  by Kate Knapp

Ruby and her grandmother are on holiday in Paris. She explores cafes and markets, practises her French, eats baguettes...

A Lion in Paris by Beatrice Alemagna

On arrival in Paris the lion is disappointed to find that despite his size, people barely pay attention to him, not even when he lets out a ferocious roar on the busy Metro... Taking in the sights and sounds of Paris, this beautifully illustrated book successfully conveys the experience of being a stranger in a new city and the process of understanding our own identity.

Where's Claris: in Paris!  by Megan Hess

In this Look and Find book can you find Claris, the chicest mouse in Paris and her friends in fabulous Parisian places?

Dodsworth in Paris  by Tim Egan

Dodsworth and his (crazy) friend the duck have just arrived in Paris.It is their first time in the City of Lights, and they are ready for some adventures magnifique! Right away they see mimes, painters, and people wearing berets.They climb the Eiffel Tower, and the duck even finds some bent-over guy who rings bells for a living.It looks like it is going to turn out to be a great vacation in Paris ...but trouble is never far from a misbehaving duck!

For other books set in France that might be at your library see this Pinterest page.

11th July World Population Day

 “For humanity to progress, people must be counted, wherever they are and whoever they are – in all their diversity,” Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, has said. “To end inequality, to find and grow peace and prosperity, to weave more threads of hope, the world needs to do more for inclusion.”

To that end, as we mark World Population Day this year, the importance of collecting inclusive data – counting everyone, everywhere, as they are – takes the spotlight. 

In an increasingly unpredictable world – with rapid population growth in some places, rapid ageing in others, and climate change, conflict and crises everywhere – reliable population data are more important than ever, and must be used to reach and respond to the needs of those who have been left behind.

“To realize the rights and choices of those pushed to the margins of our societies, we have to count them – because everyone counts,” Dr. Kanem has said. “Our rich human tapestry is only as strong as the weakest thread. When data and other systems work for those on the margins, they work for everyone. This is how we accelerate progress for all."

Exploring the population of the world is not something done with books, as when the book is published the statistics in it will be out of date. However the effects of overpopulation, underpopulation and spread of population may be.

It is a 'big concept' for the children I teach because of their age and the size of the numbers involved, but it can be done on a small scale using the internet to ascertain population numbers and books such as these as discussion starters.

It might also be a good time to relook at the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.