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Book 7 - The Kids Get A Big Goanna

Reading Tracks
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Mum and her three young children go looking for goannas. They find a big one but it runs up a tree to escape from them. Finally, it returns to the ground and they run after it. The children back in the camp are very happy when the family returns with a yummy meal to share with them all. Book 7 in the Reading Tracks series.

Margaret James, M.Ed (TESOL), is the winner of several accolades including NT Australian of the Year finalist, QUT Faculty of Education outstanding alumni, Courier Mail 50 Brightest and Best. She was shaped by her multilingual rural childhood in Southern Africa where Indigenous languages surrounded her. This significantly influenced her choice of tertiary studies - among these were linguistics, languages, education, Teaching English as an Additional Language, choral conducting and voice. This background was to prove invaluable when, after a fulfilling and varied career in several countries, she moved into Indigenous Education in Australia. The paucity of engaging, early-reading material for EALD learners and her relationship with Elders of several Australian Nations, led her to develop several linguistically and culturally appropriate books and resources in English and several Aboriginal languages. Her first series is the innovative and highly successful Honey Ant® Readers. While visiting schools and communities in order to deliver Professional Development for the Honey Ant® Readers, Margaret became increasingly aware of the similar need for engaging, early-reading material for older learners as well. She worked closely with Elders, students and illustrators to develop linguistically and culturally appropriate learn-to-read story books for older readers, and books which could be enjoyed by non-Indigenous readers equally, while teaching them about the cultures and food gathering practices of Australian First Peoples. This included trips to the desert and the coast with Elders and children who shared their knowledge about tracking, hunting and fishing for food. Reading Tracks® - stories about hunting, tracking and fishing - is the result! Wendy Paterson is a secondary school teacher-librarian, and illustrator. She has previously also enjoyed working as an archaeologist, a researcher, a History and Geography teacher, and clothing designer. She is inspired by bright colours, nature and the funny things children and animals say and do. Wendy says that illustrating for the Honey Ant® Readers and Reading Tracks® is an absolute pleasure as there are so many great colours and landscapes in Australia and the characters provide endless opportunities for a little bit of humour. Wendy loves going camping, exploring and hiking with her husband and two daughters.

Unique. A set of 15 progressive readers developed with Indigenous Elders and community. Fills a gap in the young adult and adult Indigenous learn-to-read market. Instils pride and confidence in Indigenous readers. The methods of tracking and hunting goannas are authentic, contributed by Elders Daisy Ward, MK Turner and others. The facts are embedded in a fictional, but realistic story that Indigenous people can identify with. It covers contemporary hunting and cultural practices, as well as history. The book raises awareness and understanding of Indigenous cultures for non-Indigenous learners. For such a unique resource developed with many contributors, the book is good value. FOR: Indigenous students learning to read in schools or adult education organisations e.g. prisons. Engaging because it is about their lives. Also for non-Indigenous students of all ages to learn about Indigenous hunting practices. It broadens awareness, deepens understanding and changes attitudes towards Australias first peoples. WHY: Fun, colourful, humorous illustrations engage even the most reluctant readers. Unique books for Middle school and older learners. Brochures, website, speak at conferences, promotional material to stakeholders, media - radio, video, TV, newspaper. Social media. Flyers.

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