2nd June Republic Day in Italy Festa della Repubblica

On this day, a massive celebration takes place in the city of Rome to celebrate the creation of the Italian Republic. It celebrates the day when Italians voted to abolish the monarchy in 1946 so their country could become a republic. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.

To celebrate in the library we have put together some books about Italy, books about people born in Italy and things that come from Italy.

Books about Italy or set in Italy:

• This Is Rome and This is Venice by Miroslav Sasek

• Dodsworth in Rome  by Tim Egan

• Mr Chicken Arriva a Roma  by Leigh Hobbs

• Olivia Goes to Venice  by Ian Falconer

• Gabriella's Song by Candace Fleming and Giselle Potter

• The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie dePaola

•  The Mysterious Giant of Barletta by Tomie dePaola

• Strega Nona  by Tomie dePaola

• Tony's Bread  by Tomie dePaola

• The King of Capri  by Jeanette Winterson

• Paola Emperor of Rome  by Mac Barnett

• Madeline and the Cats of Rome  by John Bemelmans Marciano

Books about famous Italians:

Fibonacci mathematician • Blockhead: the Life of Fibonacci  by Joseph D'Agnese

Brunelleschi architect • Pippo the Fool  by Tracey Fern 

Vivaldi musician • Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Anna Harwell Celenza 

                            • I,Vivaldi  by Janice Shefelman

Leonardo da Vinci artist • Leonardo da Vinci  by Karen Ball

                            • Leonardo: Beautiful Dreamer by Robert Byrd

                            • Neo Leo: The Ageless Ideas of Leonardo Da Vinci  by Gene Baretta

                            • Leonardo's Horse  by Jean Fritz

                            • The Genius of Leonardo da Vinci by Guido Visconti

Michelangelo sculptor • Stone Giant: Michelangelo's David and How He Came to Be by Jane Sutcliffe

Gallileo astronomer • I, Gallileo by Bonnie Christensen

                           • Starry Messenger  by Peter Sis

Schiaparelli designer • Bloom the Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli by Kyo Maclear

Marconi inventor • Making Contact: Marconi Goes Wireless by Monica Kulling

Montessori education • Maria Montessori  by Isabel Sanchez  Vegara

Saint Francis of Assisi • The Song of Francis by Tomie dePaola

Books about Pompeii and volcanic eruptions:

• Escape from Pompeii by Christina Ballit

• Volcano: Leap Through Time  by Nicholas Harris

• Pompeii... Buried Alive! by Edith Kunhardt

Books about Italian inventions:

• Pasta by Felice Arena

• The Story of Pasta and How to Cook It  by Stephen Guarnaccia

• Pino and Signora's Pasta by Janet Pederson

• Eat, Leo! Eat!  by Caroline Anderson

• Pizza a Slice of History by Greg Pizzoli

• A Thousand Glass Flowers  by Evan Turk

• The Glassmaker's Daughter by Dianne Hofmeyr

1st June Dinosaur Day

Dinosaur Day 2024 will be observed on the 21st of May 2024 and the 1st of June 2024 . 

Even though scientists have found many dinosaur fossils dating back millions of years in different parts of the world, there is still so much that people don’t know about these majestic reptiles. 

While no one knows exactly the dates, some scientists have researched and estimated that non-bird dinosaurs probably were roaming the planet in the time range from 245 to 66 million years ago, which was still millions of years prior to human history.

It is estimated that dinosaurs became extinct from the earth around 65 million years ago, perhaps due to the impact of an asteroid, volcanic eruptions and possible climate change. Sadly, humans now can only make educated guesses about what happened to them. 

Dinosaurs are a popular topic for children of all ages. These incredible creatures spark children’s imagination and curiosity, and they offer endless learning opportunities. When children follow their interests they are more likely to maintain attention and ask questions.

The children I teach, especially the preschoolers love dinosaurs and they would be happy if I had a permanent display of dinosaur books. This year I have bought some new books:

Stomp and Chomp: My First Book of Dinosaurs  by Simon Mole and Matt Hunt.

This book is expensive but worth the money. It is amazing and the kids are fighting over who'll have it next.

A Dinosaur A Day  by Miranda Smith

This book has just been added to the PRC NSW reading list. It was shortlisted for 2023 British Book Design and Production Award – Educational Books.

The Fossil Hunter  by Kate Winter

This biography about Mary Anning has been shortlisted for the Klaus Flugge Award for a debut illustrator.

How the Dinosaurs Went Extinct  by Ame Dyckman and Jennifer Harney

In this outrageous "safety guide," a child in a museum asks their parents how the dinosaurs all became extinct. Well, their father has some theories. 

Creature Features Dinosaurs  by Natasha Durley

Each page is bursting with unusual creatures from the time of the dinosaurs, all united by a common characteristic, from long necks to terrific teeth.

Meet the Dinosaurs  by Caryl Hart and Bethan Woollvin

ZOOOOM! We're off on an exciting journey into the past to meet the amazing dinosaurs that once roamed the earth.

How Many Dinosaurs is Too Many?  by Lou Peacock and Nicola Slater

Count the dinosaurs in this fun and lively rhyming picture book!

My First Book of Dinosaurs  by Zoe Ingram

This is the third book in this very successful series.

When Dinosaurs Walked the Earth  by Sean Taylor and Zehra Hicks

This book has just won Oscar's Book Prize for 2024, an annual prize for the best picture book of the year for young children.

Dinosaurs chase each other in this hilarious explanation of the food chain.

The Bedtime Book of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Life by DK

Get to know more than 100 of the world's favourite dinosaurs with this essential illustrated introduction.

For more dinosaur books see this Pinterest page.

29th May Mt Everest Day

Mount Everest Day is observed on May 29th each year to commemorate the first successful ascent of the mountain. On this day in 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary (1919 - 2008), a New Zealand mountaineer, and Tenzing Norgay (1914 - 1986), a Nepalese Sherpa mountaineer, became the first individuals to reach the summit of Mount Everest. It was quite a feat! The mountain continues to entice climbers today and many of them are not successful at reaching the summit.

It is easy to celebrate this day with books as both men and the mountain feature in so many books.

Start with Everest  by Sangma Francis and Lisa Feng

Hundreds of people dare to climb Mount Everest every year, following in Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s footsteps, hoping to experience Earth’s highest peak. But there is so much more to this mountain than the brave mountaineers who climb it. Travel back to its ancient origins, learn about the flowers and plants that grow upon this great peak, and discover the rich history of religions, myths, and legends that surround this great Sagarmatha, the Goddess of the Sky.

Everest by Alexandra Stewart and Joe Todd-Stanton

This is the breathtaking story of how two very different yet equally determined men battled frost-biting temperatures, tumbling ice rocks, powerful winds and death-defying ridges to climb the world’s highest mountain. Join these two unlikely heroes on the most amazing of adventures and discover the impact of hundreds of men and women that helped Hillary and Tenzing achieve their goal.

The Top of the World  by Steve Jenkins

Describes the conditions and terrain of Mount Everest, attempts that have been made to scale this peak, and general information about the equipment and techniques of mountain climbing.

First to the Top  by David Hill and Phoebe Morris

How did Ed, a small, shy boy from New Zealand, grow up to become the world's most famous mountaineer and adventurer? How did he climb Everest and do so many other astonishing things? This book tells the story of Sir Edmund Hillary and his climb to the top of Mt Everest.

Tiger of the Snows  by Robert Burleigh and Ed Young

Growing up at the foot of Mount Everest, a Sherpa boy named Tenzing Norgay dreamed about one day being the first to climb the giant in his backyard. For years he practised, carrying loads of rocks in his backpack to grow stronger, prowling the mountain's lower levels; later, carrying loads of equipment for other adventurers, but always, always, wanting to climb himself. 

Two at the Top by  Uma Krishnaswami and Christopher Corr 

Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary each tell their story, culminating in their thrilling ascent of Mount Everest.

Tenzing Norgay by  Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Bandana Tulachan 

When Tenzing was young, he spent much of his childhood tending to the family’s yaks and gazing up at the Himalaya mountains, dreaming of the day he would reach the top. Once he grew up, he joined many other Sherpas who were offering to take Europeans up the highest mountain of all—Mount Everest.

Your library might even have a copy of this book I Wish I'd Stood on Everest with Hillary and Norgay by Leonie Young and Wendy DePaaw

Presents the lives of mountaineers Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay and describes their successful climb to the top of Mount Everest. 

29th May Snail Day

Snail Day seems to be held on several dates. Today is National Snail Day in the USA. The International Land Snail Day is on the 7th November. Snail Appreciation Day is the 25th October. Escargot Day is the 24th May and it's Slug Day on the 19th of March.

Every type of organism deserves our respect, especially those who were already ancient before the dinosaurs first arrived on the scene. Since snails are often found in cool, moist environments, many of these species will face increased pressures in the coming decades due to climate change.

Did you know that the humble land snail has the highest number of extinct species of any group worldwide? 

These tiny, slow-moving creatures that so many of us take for granted are highly susceptible to factors such as invasive predators, habitat loss and climate change. 

They’re incredibly important parts of the ecosystem, playing a crucial role in forest decomposition and their shells also act as a source of calcium for their predators. 

Snails may be incredibly slow moving, but any book about snails leaves the library very quickly. Small children seem fascinated by them. New titles with snails as the main characters continue to be published. Here's some to look for:

And if you want more see this Pinterest page.

26th May Sally Ride Day

Today is Sally Ride's birthday. She was born on 26th March, 1951 and she died on 23rd July, 2012.

The first American woman in space, Sally Ride, is a role model for young people, particularly for girls and those interested in science and space. At the time of her first flight, Ride also was the youngest astronaut to ever travel in space, being just 32. 

Dr Sally Ride was a physicist who wanted girls to know that science was for them too.

“Science is fun. Science is curiosity. We all have natural curiosity. Science is a process of investigating. It’s posing questions and coming up with a method. It’s delving in.” – – Sally Ride

There are several books about her life.

25th Sing Out Day

Open up your vocal cords and sing out loud from your heart on Sing Out Day. Celebrated on May 25th it is a day to  encourage people to sing. The world is your stage on  Sing Out Day.  Grab a microphone, play your favourite tune and sing your heart out!

The children at my school seem to love singing and probably do not need too much encouragement to sing, but whenever there is a performance for some event, the music teachers come to see me, to borrow books about singing louder, or being confident on stage.

What do I give them? Some of these:

Small Florence has big dreams of becoming a piggy pop star. But when she tries to sing in front of her two older sisters, nothing comes out but a shy little squeak! When her sisters get the chance to sing in a contest on TV, Florence wishes she could join them. On the day of the competition, the judges get ready to pick a star. And then a truly amazing thing happens!

The school on Elephant Island is holding a talent show, and all the children are excited -- all the children, that is, except for Ella. Belinda's going to do ballet, Tiki's planned a magic act, but Ella doesn't have a single idea. She can't sing, dance, or play an instrument -- doesn't Ella have any talent at all? 

My little brother thinks I'm the best singer in the world. But I can't sing if there are too many people. When I was six, we were having a performance at school to celebrate spring. It would be on a real stage, with proper spotlights. I told the teacher I didn't want to...

It's springtime and a young songbird hears the joyous songs of her siblings and desperately wants to sing along-only she doesn't yet know what special tune she can add to their chorus. Encouraged by her mother to leave the nest, the songbird flies off on a quest to find the song that only she can sing.

Two funny frogs stick together and make their dreams come true! It's Bertha's day to try out for the prestigious frog choir, but when she sings...the other frogs cover their ears! Poor Bertha is sad when she doesn't make the choir, but she's not alone. Bertha's best friend Lucy is too little to try out. What will they do? The two of them cook up an idea that might make both of their dreams come true.

The wolf always wanted to become an artist. One day, he decides to try and to find his talent. Then, he tries different activities: painting, writing poems, acting, etc. until one day, he finds out that he can sing and creates a rock band with his friends. 

An empowering and colourful picture book to help young children celebrate their voice and express themselves.

This is the perfect book to teach children in and out of the classroom that they're not too young to express what they believe in and that all voices are valuable.

Day after day, the song drifts on to the breeze and through the town. It makes the old feel young and comforts the lonely. It fills the whole town with joy and kindness. No one knows who sings the song, but they know it is good. 

Follow a child who is so shy she doesn't speak. With the encouragement on an enchanting and magical teacher, she writes a poem. But a poem is meant to be read aloud! She musters all her courage, stands at the front of the class and shows her classmates that she does have a voice. And her voice is BEAUTIFUL! The perfect way to encourage empathy in young children and show shy children how to feel brave.

A touching tale of courage and how sometimes the smallest voice can deliver the biggest message.

Chipmunk spends her days sitting on her rock and chirping her song—sometimes it’s happy, sometimes it’s bittersweet, and sometimes it’s very sad indeed. When Chipmunk goes off to find a companion that will sing along with her, she encounters some bumps (and pine cones) along the way, and finds friends (and harmonies) in unexpected places.

Warble the walrus LOVES to sing. Unfortunately, she is not very good at it! And when her atrocious warbling causes an avalanche, the other walruses leave her all alone. But when you SING like no-one is listening, SOMETIMES, they start to hear you…