Persuasion is the act of coaxing you
by reasoned argument, to take my view;
You may have never thought it out before
so let me outline what you can’t ignore.

It’s not enough to simply state the case
without evidence. You never will embrace
my viewpoint; may stay sitting on the fence
or worse – supporting those who cause offence.

Three arguments, at least, must be supported
by facts and quotes, as action is exhorted,
and though you might at first oppose my view
my hope is you’ll soon share the views I do.

I’m persuaded that you have by now conceded,
which means, of course, my argument succeeded.

Disclaimer: 
I will not stoop to bribe, or to extort,
for there are those who’ll say that you’ve been bought!

Sonnet* © Kathryn Apel 2013

NAPLAN is upon us this week. Students from Yrs 3/5/7/9 in state and private schools across Australia, will be shut into silence, racing the clock, but not at all stressed, as they seek to demonstrate their knowledge of reading, spelling, grammar and punctuation, writing, and numeracy.

There are some good things about the NAPLAN test. And there are things I would change.

I don’t believe rigid time constraints are conducive to creativity in writing, and am constantly amazed that children can walk into a blank room with no conception of the topic to be addressed, then walk out 40minutes later having planned, written and edited a persuasive text, all the while paying specific attention to; audience, text structure, spelling, punctuation, paragraphing, sentence structure, vocabulary, cohesion, persuasive devices, and ideas. No dictionary allowed! No ability to research. Only rubber, pencil, sharpener and supplied paper and stimulus.

I challenge an adult to sit such a rigorous test – and do well!

I would love to see our Prime Minister, and Minister for Education, sit the Yr 9 NAPLAN tests under the same conditions as students.

(Perhaps they should – and we should publish those results?)

I dread to think how I would crumple and fail under the combined pressures of time, stress and scrutiny – with no access to tools that I would usually employ whilst writing.

To Julia Gillard and Peter Garrett, I say;

NAPLAN: Persuade Me

Persuade me that we need a Naplan test
to take up time that honestly is best
employed in teaching kids, enthusing them
to learn. Not stressing testing to condemn.

No matter how we all try to downplay
the importance (or the lack) of NAPLAN day,
it cannot be denied that kids are stressed
and yet we still expect they’ll do their best?!

Since when has child development been a race?
It’s Differentiation staff embrace.
Is ‘Teacher’ not an occupation anymore?
Now assessment is so much the greater chore?

A living, breathing child is not defined
by numbers, on a band, that tests assigned.

Sonnet* © Kathryn Apel 2013

To the Aussie kids in Years 3/5/7/9 who are undertaking NAPLAN testing this week, I say;

NAPLAN can not change or define who you are. Your parents, caregivers and teachers know you far better than any computer ever could. So don’t stress – just do your best!

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* You can read more about the poetrics of the sonnet here; http://monthofpoetry.wordpress.com 

Kendall’s Flat – an East Bundaberg sporting field, now covered in thick, caked mud.

As a part of International Book Giving Day – and just because I wanted to from the depth of my heart – I donated copies of This is the Mud! and Fencing with Fear to the East State School, to let them know I care, and to give them a book with a FUN muddy experience. The fact that Year One is ‘On the Farm’ during this first term made it doubly triply appropriate to their class.

Thank-you 1R and 1A for letting me work in your rooms today. I’m sure you’re going to work hard and make heaps of progress this year!

Year One – Bundaberg East State School

International Book Giving Day is 14 February 2013 – but the giving can take place any time in February. Anyone can take part – and it’s not too late to register, or to gift a book. Your gift will help a child feel loved – and maybe even start a love affair with books. Click on the poster below for more information. I have more muddy books I’m giving to other flood-affected community groups. Because reading is fun and reading takes you places. And sometimes we all need a little escape from reality.

Stone the Phone!

If ever something
makes me groan
it is the wretched
mobile phone,
that rings attention
with a tone,
dispelling thoughts
of time alone.

In the change room,
on the throne,
at play, at ease,
when lying prone,
its shrill demands
are soon made known;
a body’s heart
and soul to own.

Inspired by David Harrison’s post about Careerhymes;

1.
Grazier; a cow cocky –
not a blocky
always on the go
watching grass grow.

2.
Patient: one who waits
as sickness abates.

A spot of cooking in the country prompted this tongue-in-cheek poem;

Moist Date & Carrot Muffins

There’s weevils in the flour.
Have they eaten much, you think?
And the sour cream is mouldy,
with a more-than-sour stink.
The egg has hatched a chicken
though it’s only just a speck.
Should I use a shriveled carrot?
Cause I’m thinking, what the heck.
We haven’t any dates, of course;
that’s really such a shame!
I think I’ll substitute with prunes
and hope they taste the same.
Use ½ a cup of oil they say…
Well there’s no need for that.
The oil might make the muffins moist;
it’ll only make me fat!
The oven’s on the blink again;
I cannot shut the door,
and those flames around the element…
Have they been there before?
The timer hasn’t rung yet.
I wonder if it’s stopped.
My muffins. Oh. The wretched things.
I do believe they’ve flopped!
I googled for a recipe
but Google makes mistakes!
These moist date carrot muffins
would be better called rock cakes!

My first sestina was a stumble… not worthy of sharing… but thankfully it didn’t break my brain like last year’s first sonnet did. And doubly thankfully, this year I wrote two sonnets in a day – and it hardly hurt at all! Here’s the second;

NAPLAN: Persuade Me

Persuade me that we need a NAPLAN test
to take up time that honestly is best
employed in teaching kids, enthusing them
to learn. Not stressing testing to condemn.

No matter how we all try to downplay
the importance (or the lack) of NAPLAN day,
it cannot be denied that kids are stressed
and yet we still expect they’ll do their best?!

Since when has child development been a race?
It’s Differentiation staff embrace.
Is ‘Teacher’ not an occupation anymore?
Now assessment is so much the greater chore?

A living, breathing child is not defined
by numbers, on a band, that tests assigned.

And finally… Just a tiny snippet from my latest WIP. This is written from Shaun’s POV – though in fact much of the work is written from Toby’s POV. In a-maz-me news, my verse novel (which hasn’t even scored a working title as yet) has this month shattered the 10,000 words – which for me was a major milestone! *Insert party poppers and fireworks here.* It’s currently sitting at 10,450wrds… and I’m stoked!

Monkey

Toby is a klutz – can’t keep
his hands on anything;
drops the ball
trips over his feet
and bumps and slumps
the day away.
I wish people didn’t know
he’s my brother
but it’s a bit hard to hide that
in a small town small school
where everyone knows
everything about
your mother’s brother’s
monkey.

I wonder what the rest of January will produce…

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All poetry on this page is © Copyright Kathryn Apel 2013

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Busy elves and Santa Claus,

mistletoe ‘bove festive doors,

Christmas tree, bedecked in lights,

tinsel, bells and festive sights.

Party foods; fizz and pop!

Lists of gifts; shop ‘n drop.

Credit cards and Lay by now!

(Pay it later, don’t ask how.)

Bon bons, parcels, cards and more…

What is all the mayhem for?!?!?!

.

Starlit night of long ago,

softly bathed in lamplight glow,

in a stable, life begun;

helpless Infant, Mary’s Son.

Shepherds tending to their flock,

donkey, hens, and other stock,

gathered at the rustic door…

Baby, nestled in the straw.

Simply, sweetly, less the fuss

He was born for each of us.

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© Kathryn Apel 2003

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Wishing you a blessed Christmas! xx

Troggle the Troll is a delightful story about a would-be vegetarian troll. The story has a touch of grim, with the Troll family devouring people… every single night! But the alliterative menu sounds divine, and the illustrations are so bright, colourful and cutesy-fun, that I’m sure kids will have a real giggle from the Troll family’s meals.

As for the ending… it was delicious and wholesome, and though a little deceptive, I’m sure it will delight child and adult alike.

Publisher:  Random House Australia
Author:  Nick Falk
Illustrator:  Tony Lowe
Released: December 2012
ISBN: 9781742756011
RRP:  $12.95
Review copy supplied by Random House Australia

Today I welcome Dimity Powell to my blog, to talk about her FIRST book – the newly-released, PS: Who Stole Santa’s Mail? 

Congratulations, Dimity. Such an exciting time for you! What a wonderful Christmas YOU will be having this year – if no-one steals Santa’s mail, that is.

Today Dimity is going to be talking about the writing process – and how this first published book has inspired her to continue writing…

Over to you, Dimity.

I began writing when I could properly master the pencil grip. It’s been a continual exploration and accumulation of words and wisdom since that momentous day in kindy. I remember jotting down kids’ book ideas whilst on watch on a super motor yacht as we cruised across the Atlantic, thinking, I’ll write about these properly one day. One day, began around 2008 when I decided to equip my writing satchel in earnest. This is when I really committed to the whole ‘process’ of writing. I did courses, attended workshops, seminars, submitted work, entered competitions, listened carefully, read more, gave up paid employment and last year even learnt how to use Face Book! It’s been a good trip so far. But the training never ever ends.

Hearing the words sing in perfect unison and being moved either to laughter or tears by them is my greatest joy in writing. This is what I want to improve on and most importantly share with children.

Getting it right is the hardest part of writing for me. And finding time for it. I can’t seem to clock on and off to write. I have to write when I can but also when the words want to be written. The two don’t always want to play together.

I don’t think writing is that easy, even when you’re good at it. It involves discipline, skill and technique, and remembering when best and how to use them. But it is easier than most sports for me…I have no eye hand coordination!

The publication of P.S. Who Stole Santa’s Mail? has encouraged me to get on with a second chapter book I began a couple of years ago. I need to reacquaint myself with the characters and their saga before I know if it’s going to ever see the light of day. Creating picture books is my passion. I would love to see a picture book of mine on a shelf somewhere someday. I enjoy writing them and can produce one in days when the fancy strikes, but it takes me ages to perfect them, sometimes years. I am currently polishing a few picture books and short story ideas.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts – and joy – with us, Dimity. Wishing you wonderful sales, and many more exciting publishing opportunities.

PS:  Have a Merry Christmas!

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In conjunction with this blog tour, you can go in the draw to win one of three copies of the book PS: Who Stole Santa’s Mail. Send the answer to this question: ‘What do you think Santa wants for Christmas?’ to submissions@morrispublishingaustralia.com In the subject line put, PS: WSSM entry. The competition will close at midnight on November 30^th  2012. All entries will be assigned a number, and that number will be put in a draw. The winners will be notified by email.

PS: Who Stole Santa’s Mail can be purchased at your local bookshop, or a signed copy is available from http://morrispublishingaustralia.com. You can get to know Dimity at; Dim Writes Stuff.

To follow Dimity on her blog tour, click the links below;

Kids Book Review 17 November
My Little Bookcase  18 November
Sheryl Gywther  19 November
MPA Australia 20 November
Kat Apel 21 November
Elaine Ouston 22 November
Renee Taprell 23 November
Alison Reynolds 24 November
Buzz Words 25 November
Christine Bell 26 November
Dee White 27 November
Jackie Hosking PIO 28 November
Alphabet Soup 29 November
Angela Sunde 30 November

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Last week I asked a class, ‘What is alliteration?‘

This answer, from a Yr 3 student, showed his cane growing heritage;

…Alliteration is when they put all the scraps of cane in piles and burn it up.

Such a sweet answer! All be it a little wrong.

.

.

..

Blackened bits of burnt trash laid bare on brown earth.

Pop over and have a read!

My fridge held a lot of zucchini – but not many eggs. And I stood in need of a cake! Having tried zucchini bread and zucchini in coconut bread, I googled ‘zucchini chocolate cake’ to see what I could find.

I found this No Egg Chocolate Zucchini Cake, but because I love a wholesome cake, and I did have ONE egg (and every other zucchini recipe used 3 eggs) I made a few modifications… and came up with this scrummy Nutty Zucchini Chocolate Cake. It was a hit with a bundle of boys – especially my KitKat who has a very strong aversion to zucchini – and a great love of chocolate!

Nutty Zucchini Chocolate Cake

Ingredients;

• 2 cups zucchini – finely grated
• 1/2 cup oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 egg
• 3-4 tbsp milk
  (guestimate – add more if dry.)
• 2 cups SR Flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup cocoa
• sprinkling of shredded coconut
• sprinkling of slivered almonds
• 1 tbsp LSA (Ground linseed, sunflower & Almond – optional)

Method:

1. Mix zucchini, oil, egg, milk & vanilla.
2. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
3. Add moist ingredients and combine. Mixture will be paste-thick!
3. Spread into 2 x round greased & lined round tins.
4. Bake at 180 degrees for 25 – 30 minutes.
5. When cool, spread one cake with jam and frosting. Sandwich cakes together and top with frosting.
6. Serve with whipped cream.

Frosting:

• 3tbsp vanilla yoghurt
• 1 1/2 cups icing sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 3 – 4 tbsp milk

Moist, dense and decadent delicious! Definitely one to bake again. So good, that in fact, I just did!