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Author/Illustrator - Fiona Sinclair
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This is a splendid addition to the Australian haiku landscape, encouraging a new generation to actively observe the vibrant natural world around them and to capture those moments with the platypus, the rosella, and the wattle in thoughtfully selected words. Haiku is an accessible creative pursuit, requiring few tools but an inquisitive mind – ideal for children exploring outside with their parents and teachers. Fiona’s watercolours complement the delicate beauty of her haiku, ensuring this as a treasured childhood book.
Alison Rogers - haiku poet at Connected Words,
Secretary - Australian Haiku Society.
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This beautifully illustrated book introduces young readers to the enchanting art of Haiku, offering a delightful blend of vivid imagery and carefully crafted words. The book provides a gentle introduction to the beauty of language, helping primary school children develop an ear for rhythm and an appreciation for concise, powerful expression. As young readers explore the bite-sized Haiku poems, they will discover the magic of capturing moments in just a few syllables. It is perfect for reading aloud, encouraging children to listen closely to the words and fostering a love for language from an early age.
Dr Martina Tassone Senior Lecturer the University of Melbourne
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‘A Landscape of Letters - with Haiku’ by Fiona Sinclair is like yoga for the reader. The pastel backgrounds and exquisite illustrations provide relaxation for the body and spiritual cleansing for the mind. Fiona’s haikus remind us to care for our birds and animals (like the endangered numbat) or our children “…will not see [them].”Rarely do we find a gift suitable for everyone- young readers will enjoy the beautiful images and learning about our Australian landscapes, school aged children will be intrigued by the musical haikus and encouraged to write their own, and adults of all ages will enjoy a gentle feast for the senses. Teachers notes at the end of the collection provide a succinct history of the haiku and instructions for writing them.
Janet Kelso
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Walk in the landscape
listen to the pulse of life-
pick up your pen. Write!
This advice from the writer, in the form of a haiku, sets the tone for the book and is a great introduction for what is to come. A Landscape of Letters – With Haiku is a thoughtful introduction to both haiku and Australia’s natural world. From alpine wildflowers to zooplankton, each page explores a native flora or fauna beginning with each letter of the alphabet – yes, even ‘x’ for xanthotis! At the end is a helpful guide to writing haikus, along with teaching ideas.
The A-to-Z format paired with Fiona Sinclair’s gentle watercolours will engage young readers, inviting exploration of language, nature and creativity. The focus on mindfulness and observation adds a quiet depth. This is a lovely option for classrooms or homes looking to foster literacy and expression through poetry.
Reviewed by Laura Holloway
https://readingtime.com.au/a-landscape-of-letters-with-haiku/
A landscape of letters is an illustrated haiku book about the natural world.
The aim of this book is to inspire children to go outside, observe what is around them and write their own haiku.
These poems are moments of significance to me as I walk and observe the Australian landscape. I look closely at the bending alpine wild flowers and walk quietly in the hope to see the platypus in feathery reeds. I sit by the pond to catch a glimpse of the darting dragonfly and wonder at the dance of the Monarch butterfly as it flits from flower to flower.
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Fiona Sinclair
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Sally-Anne Hayes
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Who’s it for?
It goes without saying that this book is for the cross-stitch enthusiast, however, with a Parisian theme, the appeal is wide. Taking us on a journey across the city of love Criss Crossing Paris is for those with a love of travel, arts and culture.
Review by Mr X Stitch
Everything about this cross stitch book screams creativity; the choice you the stitcher make when stitching, and how every time you pick this book up and stitch a pattern, regardless of how many times you’ve stitched it before, it will always be different. Is it for the beginner? Well, I don’t see why not; this is a book for people who want to create, to make something truly unique, and Fiona and Sally-Anne give you a helping hand to get there.
Review by Lord Libidan
Criss Crossing Paris began when my sister, Sally-Anne, and I invited some creative friends to help us cross stitch interpetations of Sally-Anne's Paris photographs.
We were amazed and inspired by the creativity with which each stitcher approached the task - sometimes following the grid supplied, and sometimes taking a more intrepid journey and stepping off the grid!
This book is not your traditional cross stitch book.
Cross-stitch interpretations of Parisian moments captured in a photograph.
Embroider an unforgettable travel memoir of Paris, with charming designs that feature familiar sights and unexpected moments. Each page is an invitation for the traveler or lover of Paris to share the author's journey, evoking memories of one of the world's most romantic cities. Snapshots, short poetic descriptions, and charming illustrations of the inspiration behind the designs are accompanied by photographs of the finished projects and counted charts. As well as pictures and pillows, projects include other items like a baguette tote, a metro sign ticket holder, and a door knocker pincushion. Each design can be adapted to stitch onto a variety of items and advice is given on these variations. Intrepid cross stitchers can step off the grid and use the illustrations as a guide to embroider on to linen, while those who prefer to work counted designs on Aida cloth will find chart templates in the book.
If you would like to join us on our journey and create you own interpretation of the designs in the book, it is available through a range of bookshops.
Or - create your own designs from your holiday photographs and stitch a personal keepsake. If you want some help with creating the cross stitch grid, email me and I will happily set you on your journey.
Happy stitching!
Coming soon is a cross-stitch book to inspire you to seek out the insect pollinators in your garden - identify and stitch them!
Full of easy to read charts and photographs to assist the novice cross-stitcher and also some charts for the experienced beginner.
More details soon.
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Review by Guardian Childcare and Education and interview with the author, Christine Cameron, who was the inspiration behind publishing this book
https://www.guardian.edu.au/blog/activities-for-children/flying-through-your-abc/
A fantastic example of this has come from one of our amazing Bachelor Qualified Teachers at our Guardian Kinfolk Albury Centre. As part of our national Guardian Literacy Program, our Curriculum Team are always on the lookout for the best examples of age and stage appropriate books to choose for our Centres and to recommend to our families.
Australia is very fortunate to have a large variety of beautiful birds. This book will help young children to admire, recognise and care about Australia’s native birds while learning their ABC. They will learn about their habitats, their food and their nesting habits. The book also meets all of the learning outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework.
My illustration and design work specialises in vector illustration and watercolour painting with a focus on education, typography and Australian themed imagery.
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Type has a body... Just like you!
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Although central to language, typography is a mystery to many, but this unique offering by Melbourne designer-educator, Fiona Sinclair, may very well change that. Blending art, imagery and information, Type has a body … Just like you! introduces young readers to the anatomy of letterforms and typefaces in a quirky, entertaining way.
Read more on the CBCA Reading Time review and interview
https://readingtime.com.au/type-has-a-body-just-like-you/
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This is a brilliant visual method for introducing children to the anatomy of letterforms and relating their often unusual names to familiar parts of the body. The memorable imagery and concepts would have certainly made a lasting impression on my younger self!
Jamie Clarke | Lettering and Type designer, UK
jamieclarketype.com
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Typography is at the centre of language, and this book makes typography fun for children. Children with good language skills go on to become successful adults, so I have no doubt this book will make a positive contribution to children’s literature.
Wayne Thompson | Director of the Australian Type Foundry
atf.com.au
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This book will inform and entertain children of all ages, giving them an insight into a range of fonts, their names and characteristics. Type has a Body...Just like you! is visually appealing and plays beautifully with language through the use of alliteration and rhyme.
Dr. Martina Tassone | Initial Teacher Educator, Australia
Type has a body...Just like you!
Learn about letterforms and typefaces
Just like your body, each letterform has a structure. Some have arms, a neck, a shoulder or an eye. Each of these letterforms belong to a typeface family with their own characteristics, such as size, shape and form.
Come with Minnie and Ivan on a journey of letterforms and typefaces and see how they relate to the body, and the many different families they belong to.
