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Best Books for Language and Literacy Development

Posted:
Monday 16 Nov 2020
Please note the content of this news item is over six months old and may no longer be current.
2020 BOTY Speech Pathology Latest News

The Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards aim to promote children’s books as literacy tools, as well as raising awareness of the role speech pathologists play in helping children develop language and literacy skills. Literacy is based on good oral language skills. The awards:

• help children get the best, most literate start in life;

• promote quality Australian children’s literature;

• enhance awareness of the role speech pathologists play in language and literacy development; and

• encourage a love of reading.

Books are awarded for “Best Book for Language and Literacy Development” in the following categories:

Birth to 3 Years - Meerkat Splash by Aura Parker

This story is entertaining and lends itself to lots of oral language extension activities. The joys of bath time are relatable and the length of the book is developmentally appropriate.

Three to 5 Years - Charlie's Shell by Marina Zlatanova

This beautifully illustrated book addresses the issue of bullying and self-confidence. It promotes the development of phonological awareness skills using rhyme and allows the reader to explore more sophisticated adjectives thereby developing language and sentence structure.

Five to 8 Years - Goat on a Boat by Nick Dent, Illustrated by Suzanne Houghton

This thought provoking narrative explores themes of acceptance, bullying, friendship and standing up for others. The vocabulary is amusing and rich, and the rhyming format adds to the readability. It's a tale that encourages predictive and problem-solving skills in a funny and relatable way.

Eight to 10 Years - The Little Wave by Pip Harry

This story, written in verse, is a fun read with a lovely message about connection, valuing genuine friendship, and coping with being bullied. The limited amount of text on each page will encourage reluctant readers to try this chapter book.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Authored Children’s Book Award - My Culture and Me

This beautifully crafted story encourages the reader to explore Aboriginal culture and potentially new concepts through the lens of an Indigenous child. It assists children in learning about Indigenous culture, dance, music, spirituality and connection to Country.