Forty-eight years ago The Bunyip of Berkeley's Creek arrived in a bookshop. If you have this book grab it and re-read it. I am certain you will enjoy the experience. Now read it again to a child. This is a book that works so well when read aloud and again I am certain your young reading companion will enjoy this classic Australian tale. You can read this to younger children aged 5+ and also to older readers 10+ and both groups are sure to discover different things in the text. The Bunyip of Berkeley's Creek has certainly stood the test of time. YES it is still available and the paperback edition is very affordable.
Today I was browsing through a new document from the NSW Department of Education. This document is designed for teachers as a way to understand English concepts and then incorporate them into their teaching and learning activities. OR perhaps it is designed to be used by teachers as a way to introduce the concepts to their students although this is not mentioned in the notes. Each video takes a humorous approach to explain each concept so it seems possible this resource is intended for use with students?
Concepts: argument; authority; code and convention; context; connotation imagery and symbol; character; genre; intertextuality; literary value; narrative; perspective; point of view; representation; style; and theme.
My eye jumped to the concept literary value which is a topic close to my heart especially this year in my role as a Children's Book Council (CBCA) judge this year. I cannot talk about any of the books entered for the 2022-23 awards but clearly, as judges, we are looking for a book with very high literary value - a book worthy of our most prestigious Australian children's book award; a book that (to me) will stand the test of time; a book that might even travel beyond our shores and be read by children in other countries too. In summary, to repeat myself, a book with literary value.
SO back to this concepts document (see link above). I clicked on Literary Value.
The advice from this State educatioal authority specifically mentions using 'real' texts (books).
What text/s will enable students to engage with, understand and appreciate the concept/s?
Literary Value: What it is: Certain texts have been designated as ‘highly valued’ and have been accorded ‘canonical’ or ‘classic’ status because ‘experts’ declare them to have universal and timeless appeal. However questions such as ‘Whose canon?’ and ‘How universal?’ and ‘What makes this popular?’ are always being asked. In fact the value of any text is always under revision as the principles and processes for ascribing value vary across time and cultures and as popular culture texts emerge as classics.
Okay, so back to the suggested text or the text example from the video about Literary Value. Which book springs to your mind? Perhaps the criteria should be Australian; available or still in print; timeless? The video is probably supposed to be 'funny' but if the audience are class teachers then why take this approach? The presenter says: A text has literary value because it helps us understand something about ourselves in the world. What it says is important to us, and so remains meaningful to people over time.
Nostalgic adults will name Snugglepot and Cuddlepie (1918); Blinky Bill (1939); The Magic Pudding (1918); or The Muddle-Headed wombat (1962). This list just makes me sigh.
Drum Roll - the book in the video is .... The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay (1918). Is this book still saying something important to a modern child?
I would argue that there are so many more recent, more appealing, more accessible, and (dare I say) better picture books to use as examples of literary value.
Take a look at these past CBCA titles from 1978-1999. Here is a short list of my own suggested texts (if we limit the example to Picture Books and think of a Primary school audience):
Possum Magic by Mem Fox illustrated by Julie Vivas
John Brown, Rose and the Midnight Cat by Jenny Wagner illustrated by Ron Brooks
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox illustrated by Julie Vivas
My Place by Nadia Wheatley illustrated by Donna Rawlins
Where the forest meets the Sea by Jeannie Baker (or any other Jeannie Baker text)
Magic Beach by Alison Lester
Who sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen
Fox by Margaret Wild illustrated by Ron Brooks
Edward the Emu by Sheena Knowles illustrated by Rod Clement
Greetings from Sandy Beach by Bob Graham (or any other book by Bob Graham)
AND my book from today The Bunyip of Berkeley's Creek by Jenny Wagner illustrated by Ron Brooks
Do you have your own favourite 'classic' Australian children's picture book? Let me know in the comments.
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