Shimmerise Your Kid!
When children join the Adelaide City Library we want them to feel special.
Children 0–12 years who join the library become valued members of our Shimmer Club. As a Shimmer member, they receive a VIP membership card (choice of 3 colours) on a child safe lanyard, and a gift pack.
When you join your child to the library you are giving them access to a world of information and enjoyment.
Beginner Readers
Beginner readers are excited by the challenge of learning to read.
They still love to have stories read to them, and favourite stories repeated but they want to try to do it themselves. They may enjoy "reading" aloud stories that they have heard often, relying on memory and clues from the pictures.
Learning to read involves understanding how a book works: that text is read from left to right from the top to the bottom of the page; that that the print and pictures work together to tell the story.
Good books for beginner readers have pictures that reflect the text and language that is familiar to the child. Initially, books with few words, large print, pictures and plenty of white space are ideal. Repetition of words and phrases helps beginner readers to recognise words.
A book may reflect reassuringly familiar experiences, or help with life experiences like welcoming a new baby or starting school. A book can transport the child to imagined worlds to expand his/her life experience.
Sharing a book is a happy, relaxing experience which is enjoyable for both reader and listener.
Internet safety for your child
Children and teenagers under 18 can book to use the internet at our Library Centres. They need to have written permission to use the service.
Most sites are safe, but like the real world, some contain material that is sexual, violent or otherwise inappropriate for children.
If possible, be with your kids when they are on the Internet.
Teach them that not everything they see or hear may be accurate or true.
Filtering software cannot block everything — there is no substitute for parental guidance.
Cybersmart Kids
www.cybersmartkids.com.au
Presented by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, this website will help children and young people and their families to find out how to be cybersmart and use the internet safely.
Parent Sites with a reading focus
Children’s Book Council of Australia
www.cbca.org.au
The Children’s Book Council of Australia website features Australian authors and illustrators and books for children and young people.
Children's Book Sequels
www.childrensbooksequels.co.uk
Find links to the next book in a favourite series and visit author websites.
Premier’s Reading Challenge
www.premiersreadingchallenge.sa.edu.au
The Premier's Reading Challenge website provides information about this annual event as well as lists of diverse and interesting books appropriate for Reception to Year 12 students, including fiction, non-fiction, illustrated and picture books, poetry and drama, classic, modern and contemporary books.
The Little Big Book Club
www.thelittlebigbookclub.com.au
This site contains a wealth of information for parents and carers of children aged 0–5 years. It features tips on reading to children, age appropriate activities, online stories, booklists and giveaways.
Sadlier Phonics For Students
www.sadlier-oxford.com/phonics/student.cfm
Fun online phonics and word games and activities for families and students up to Year 6.
Read Kiddo Read
www.readkiddoread.com
An initiative of high profile American author, James Patterson, this site offers suggestions for books for children 0 to 10 years and over that the author guarantees "will turn them into lifelong readers".
Reading list for parents
Parents reading list to help your child read:
Reading Magic
By Mem Fox
How your child can learn to read before school and other read-aloud miracles.
Reading Magic
By Mem Fox
A DVD based on its namesake book.
The Reading Bug
By Paul Jennings
How you can help your child catch it!
The Ultimate First Book Guide
An edited collection of great book suggestions for children aged 0–7.
The Ultimate Book Guide
An edited collection of great book suggestions for children aged 8–12.
Rocket Your Child Into Reading
By Jackie French