Kids Books

 



 

 

FREE RESOURCES

in an ezine

Get news of the latest games, book reviews, articles and more that have been added to the website. 

Pivotal Public Speaking

Friday Fun Fortnightly

Thought for

the Day

Whizz Kids

Pivotal Personal Best

Pivotal Teachers

 

 

 

Are you a member of Pivotal Gold?

Benefits of Membership

 

Register

 

Get your free report

 

 

Make a book for Grandpa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Help your child make a book

about Grandpa (or another older friend or relative). When it’s finished it will make a great gift to give to Grandpa.

Pivotal Kids Book

The House in the Night

Winner: Caldecott Medal

 

by Susan Marie Swanson,

Illustrated by Beth Krommes

 

From the Reviews

A spare, patterned text and glowing pictures explore the origins of light that make a house a home in this bedtime book for young children. Naming nighttime things that are both comforting and intriguing to preschoolers—a key, a bed, the moon—this timeless book illuminates a reassuring order to the universe.

Swanson's words are short simple. "Here is the key to the house / In the house burns a light / In that light rests a bed." As we read, a small child places the key on a hook as a dog, a cat, and some kittens mill about. She walks into the room and spots a book on the bed. "In that book flies a bird." As the text grows expansive, discussing the bird's song, the girl imagines taking a trip on its back above the land, "Through the dark", past the moon, and the sun, and the sky. In the end she goes to bed, not far from the key in, "the house in the night, a home full of light." The shape of the story allows it to go from a small intimate story to an exciting flight around the world, and then back to bed where the little girl curls up cozily and falls asleep. It's a tribute to bedtime stories themselves, without ever being blunt about its potential applications.

Krommes uses a scratchboard style with watercolor. In fact the only color in this book is the singular yellow of the sun, the moon, the stars, and other key points in the pictures.  Each page has treasures to explore

"Gentle bedtime reading, consider this a book that is designed to illuminate a child's dreams. "  

"This will become a classic good night book."

 

 

 

 

  Pivotal Gold members click here to get your copy for free

... Not a Pivotal Gold member?  More information here


 

 

 

 

Indian in the Cupboard Study Guide

Omri receives several conventional gifts for his ninth birthday, including a
longed-for skateboard. However, two gifts you would expect to be of least
interest to a young boy prove to be magical and exciting. Suitable for
primary aged students this study guide has learning outcomes in key learning
areas such as English, Art and Society and Environment.