Monday 21 September 2015

Grandma - Written and illustrated by Jessica Shepherd

A beautiful, moving book, with wonderful illustrations. Love this book!

Oscar loves Grandma, and their time together is always lots of fun. As she becomes less able to look after herself, she has to go into a care home. More and more children are encountering dementia and its effects on their families. This touching story, told in Oscar’s own words, is a positive and practical tale about the experience. The factual page about dementia helps children talk about their feelings and find new ways to enjoy the changing relationship. Jessica Shepherd’s sensitive first picture book has grown out of her experiences in a variety of caring roles.

http://www.childs-play.com/bookshop/9781846435973.html

Jessica has exhibited several pieces of her illustration from Grandma,
at The Art of the Picture Book Illustration Exhibition
at The Crown Street Gallery in Darlington Library.
It runs until October 29th.
Please see the earlier post 'Boo! Telling Tale Tales'.

http://www.bookstart.org.uk/news/blog/228



Rosie and Robin - Vivian den Hollander


Vivian den Hollander has created two adventurous stories for kids with funny lines and inspirational tools for parents; through the realistic images, children will be able to relate to Rosie & Robin and not only take notice of the funny side of the story, but also pay attention to the educational tips they get from the twins. Stuart Trotter’s images pay a big part in this; he has managed to show how much fun it is to clean and play responsibly. Den Hollander and Trotter’s successful first collaboration will hopefully lead to more wonderful books like these.

Sunday 20 September 2015

"Girls Can't Play Football!"

"GIRLS CAN'T PLAY FOOTBALL" by Dr. David Waugh.
ISBN 978-1-909644-86-1
£7.50

Lauren longed to play football. She was sure she would be good at it. She had watched endless videos of footballers, especially her hero, Lionel Messi. She had spent hours practising her ball skills in her tiny back yard and in the passageway behind her house, and on the wasteland next to an old, disused factory near her house.
She had often watched the boys from a distance and she was certain that she was more skilful than most of them. The trouble was, she had never played in a game.
She could dribble in and out of the obstacle courses she set up for herself using plastic bottles and drinks cans, and she could trap and volley the ball as she bounced it off the brick wall of the old factory. What she did not know was if she could use her skills when other people were trying to take the ball from her. But before she could find out, she had to persuade the boys to let her play!


BOO! TELLING TALL TALES

The Art of the Picture Book Illustration Exhibition Programme

Magic, mayhem and monstrous morals abide in this interactive exhibition for children (of all ages), featuring illustrations from the world of children’s books, by popular authors and illustrators.
To join us in celebrating the world of make believe, fantasy and fairytales, suitable for both big kids and little kids, read on!
BOO! TELLING TALL TALES is inspired by illustrations from the immersive world of children’s picture books. BOO! TELLING TALL TALES mission is to lead children to read, unravel, draw, invent, and create their own tall stories, to enthral the most reluctant reader, entice the tiniest toddler, and beguile the biggest kid (however young or old). 
Want to participate? Here’s how:

BOO! BIRTHDAY BASH Friday 23rd October 6-8pm.

It’s Alice in Wonderlands 150th unbirthday, Crown Street Library’s birthday, and here at Creative Darlington’s Crown Street Art Gallery we are celebrating two years in this location. So Creative Darlington and Darlington Library have teamed together to mark the occasion. During the evening historian and author, Chris Lloyd will give a short talk on the enduring popularity of Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland and the inspiration for his writing, including connections to Croft on Tees and Darlington. Liz Million, Stuart Trotter, and Peter Barron together with Paul Wick, complete the line up of speakers giving a ten minute talk on their personal practice as an illustrator, artist, publisher or writer. Exhibitors will be on hand to answer your questions throughout the evening. Suitable for adults, or those seeking a career in the industry.
FREE! Booking essential.





Friday 18 September 2015

May the best team win!



Rugby Positions

Rugby positions

A rugby team has 15 positions. Each one wears a specific number and has individual responsibilities:
·       1 and 3 are the props
·       2 is the hooker
·       4 and 5 are the locks
·       6 and 7 are the flankers
·       8 is, conveniently enough, the eightman
This group is collectively referred to as the pack or the forwards. This group’s main goal is to win possession of the ball. These players are usually the heavyweights of the team, using their bulk and strength to try to overpower their opponents.
A rugby team has another group as well — the backs or back line:
·       9 is the scrumhalf
·       10 is the flyhalf
·       11 and 14 are the wings
·       12 and 13 are the inside and outside centers
·       15 is the fullback


Acknowledgement: Graphic from intheloose.com


Rugby World Cup - How to play Rugby.


 For those unfamiliar with the game of Rugby Union, 
the Little Rugby Fan has sort out the best simple explanation possible. 
Although this describes the senior game, which you'll hopefully be watching 
or reading about in the coming weeks, 
Rugby can also be safely enjoyed by young children in the 
form of non tackling Rugby. Rugby Union is a fun and exciting 
way for young children to learn valuable life skills 
such as leadership, team work, courage, sportsmanship 
and friendship in a safe environment. 
So, here's Rugby Union, simply explained...

Object of the Game

The object of the game is that two teams of fifteen players each, 
should score as many points as possible, by carrying, passing, 
kicking and grounding the ball with the team scoring the greater number of points 
being the winner of the match. 
It is classified as an 'end zone invasion game'. 
The aim of each team is to gain possession of the ball, 
take it into opposition territory and to place it in the in-goal area (end zone). 
Rugby is a game of continuous flow, there is constant competition 
for the ball at the breakdown. These are called Rucks and Mauls.

Simple Guide to Rugby

Rugby is a continuous game whereby two teams carry, pass, 
kick and ground the ball in order to score as many points as possible, 
with the team scoring the greater number of points being the winner.

In Senior rugby (and under 19s), 15 people play at a time per side, 
each of which have specific duties as a player. 
Players are usually talked about in respect to two categories. 
Members of the first group are called the forwards, or the pack, 
and consist of the first eight players. 
Members of the second group are called the backs, 
and consist of the remaining players, numbered 9 to fifteen.

If a player is tackled to the ground they must release the ball, 
which usually results in a ruck. If a player is held while standing, 
a maul will usually be formed. The purpose of the ruck or maul is 
so that the game can continue without any stoppage in play.

The line-out and scrum are two key distinguishing factors 
to the game of Rugby Union. A scrum occurs when there is an 
accidental infringement and a line-out occurs 
when the ball goes out of bounds. 
Both of these are methods of restarting the game.

A try is scored when a player places the ball in the opposition's in-goal area. 
It is counted as 5 points and can be converted to an additional 2 points 
with a successful place kick or drop kick. 
Points may also be awarded from a drop kick in general play and a penalty kick. 
Both are worth 3 points.




LRF Rugby World Cup Score Sheet


As the Rugby World Cup proceeds, 
The Little Rugby Fan will enter the scores 
on the unique LRF score sheet.



The Rugby World Cup 2015


Today, 18th September 2015, see's the start of the Rugby World Cup, 
with teams here from all over the world, and for the next few weeks 
The Little Rugby Fan will bring you everything Rugby 
from fixtures, results, venues, and hopefully lots of fun 
and useful information that will enhance your enjoyment 
of this fantastically exciting tournament! 

England will kick off the eighth Rugby World Cup tonight 
when they take on Fiji at Twickenham, 20:00BST.
In the spirit of the Little Rugby Fan, 'May the best team win!'


Wednesday 8 July 2015

Grandad's Island - Benji Davis

 
The Little Football Fan 
loves this new book by Benji Davis,
published by Simon and Schuster UK.
Fabulously rich illustrations, and a wonderful story.
'After the phenomenal success of the Storm Whale and
On Sudden Hill, this new book by Benji Davis deals
with the emotional topic of losing a grandparent.
Subtly told, this beautifully illustrated book tackles
a difficult subject with great sensitivity and depth.'
 



Tuesday 7 July 2015

Copa America 2015 - How it finished


Congratulations to host nation Chile
who went all the way to the final, in Santiago,
beating Argentina 4-1 on penalties!

Peru beat Paraguay 2-0 to finished in third place.




The Little Football fan loves the


 BookTrust transforms lives by getting children and families reading.

 



 

Friday 19 June 2015

Copa América - The Teams - The Little Football Fan


This years invitees 
to the Copa América tournament
are Caribbean team, Jamaica.
is controlled by the Jamaica Football Federation. 
Jamaica is typically one of the 
top ranked teams in CONCACAF 
and has won the Caribbean Cup six times.

All the rest of the 12 teams are from South America.

 


Copa América - Score Sheet - The Little Football Fan


The Little Football Fan is delighted
to unveil his Copa América Score Sheet!




Copa América - Argentina v Uruguay - The Little Football Fan


Group B – 10

La Serena – Estadio la Portada

ARGENTINA 1 – 0 URUGUAY

Sergio Aguero's header gives Argentina 
a 1-0 win over Uruguay that sees 
the tournament favourites go top 
of Group B at the Copa America in Chile. 
The striker scored at the near post in the 56th minute 
following a cross from Manchester City team-mate 
Pablo Zabaleta. 



Copa América - Paraguay v Jamaica - The Little Football Fan


Group B – 9

Antofagasta - Estadio Regional Calvo y Bascuñán de Antofagasta

PARAGUAY 1 – 0 JAMAICA

A bizarre goal from Edgar Benitez 
gives Paraguay a 1 - 0 win over Jamaica in group B. 
The Deportivo Toluca striker saw the ball rebound off him 
and into the net after a mistake by Jamaican goalkeeper Duwayne Kerr. 
After coming from two goals down to draw with Argentina, 
Paraguay stand second in the group with 
four points from two games 
before Sunday's clash with Uruguay. 



Copa América - Chile v Mexico - The Little Football Fan


Group A – 8

Santiago - Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos.

CHILE 3 – 3 MEXICO

Hosts Chile and Mexico share six goals 
in an exciting 3-3 draw in Group A. 
Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal scored twice for Chile, 
while striker Matias Vuoso 
did the same for Mexico in front of 45,583 supporters 
at the Julio Martinez Pradanos stadium. 
Chile next face Bolivia, 
with both teams on four points 
ahead of the final group games on Friday. 



Copa América - Ecuador v Bolivia - The Little Football Fan


Group A – 7

Valparaiso -  Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander.

ECUADOR 2 – 3 BOLIVIA
Bolivia beat Ecuador 3-2 in an exciting Group A game. 
Ecuador were made to pay the price 
for some poor defending 
and a missed penalty as Bolivia's three first-half goals 
proved enough for them to claim all three points. 
Bolivia's win was their first in the Copa America since 1997 
when they went on to reach the final against Brazil. 



Copa América - Brazil v Peru - The Little Football Fan


Group C – 6

Temuco - Estadio Municipal Bicentenario Germán Gecker.

BRAZIL 2 – 1 PERU
Neymar scores one goal and sets up another as Brazil 
come from behind to beat Peru 2 - 1 at the Copa America. 
Brazil, who now have 11 wins out of 11 
since last summer's World Cup, 
next face a trip to Santiago 
to face Colombia on Wednesday 
in a repeat of last years 
World Cup quarter-final. 





Copa America - Colombia v Venezuala - The Little Football Fan


Group C – 5

Rancagua - Estadio el Teniente

COLOMBIA 0 – 1 VENEZUALA
Venezuela claim a surprise 1-0 win over Colombia 
in Rancagua thanks to Jose Salomon Rondon's goal. 
Colombia's side included 
Real Madrid's James Rodriguez, 
Chelsea's Juan Cuadrado, 
Monaco's Radamel Falcao 
and Arsenal's David Ospina,
but they could not break down their stubborn opponents. 
Colombia now face Brazil in Group C, who
beat Peru 2 - 1.



Copa America - Argentina v Paraguay


Group B – 4

La Serena – Estadio la Portada

ARGENTINA 2 – 2 PARAGUAY

Paraguay fight back from 2-0 down 
to draw with favourites Argentina at Estadio La Portada, Chile. 
Argentina took the lead through Sergio Agüero, 
and minutes later 
Lionel Messi added a second goal from a penalty.
 After half time Nelson Valdez
scored a stunning goal for Paraguay, 
and a last-minute equaliser from 
Lucas Barrios
 
 

Copa America - Uruguay v Jamaica - The Little Football Fan


Group B – 3

Antofagasta - Estadio Regional Calvo y Bascuñán de Antofagasta

URUGUAY 1 – 0 JAMAICA
A close-range goal from 
Cristian Rodriguez of Atletico Madrid 
proved enough to give the reigning champions 
a winning start to this year's competition. 
Uruguay, who are still without 
the suspended Luis Suarez for this tournament, 
sit top of Group B after one game, 
after Argentina and Paraguay drew 2-2. 



Copa America - Mexico v Bolivia - The Little Football Fan


12 June 2015
Group A – 2
Vina del Mar - Estadio Sausalito
MEXICO 0 – 0 BOLIVIA
Bolivia hold out for a 0-0 draw against Mexico in the 
second match of the Copa America at 
the Sausalito Stadium in Vina del Mar,.
Mexico played an under strength team without the 
likes of striker Javier Hernandez and were 
unable to find a way past a Bolivian side 
that have not won a Copa America match since 1997.


Chile v Ecuador - Little Football Fan


Group A

Santiago - Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos.

CHILE 2 – 0 ECUADOR

Hosts Chile begin their quest for a maiden Copa America title 
with this victory over Ecuador in Santiago.
Midfielder Arturo Vidal was brought down in the box by 
Miller Bolanos in the second half and picked himself 
up to convert the penalty for Chile. 
Former QPR man Eduardo Vargas netted the second, 
calmly slotting home, before Matias Fernandez 
was sent off late on.