Library Blog

Reading Ambassador and attachés for Asia

The PLC Sydney Reads the World and each term is dedicated to reading books from one continent. Reading across the world helps us to better understand other people and cultures, extend our horizons, and become better citizens of the world. This is why our most accomplished readers become reading ambassadors and attachés for the continents they are reading.

In Term 1, PLC Sydney read books from Asia. I was delighted to announce our diplomatic corps for Asia in the last school assembly: Reading Ambassador - Zara H. (Year 8), and two Reading Attachés - Anais Lowe (Year 11) and Monet Lowe (Year 7). They received a certificate and a book voucher in recognition of their achievement.

Front row: Anais, Zara and Monet Back row: Dr Suzana Sukovic and  Dr Paul Burgis, College Principal

I had a short interview with our accomplished readers and this is what they said about their reading experience.

Why did you decide to participate in the PLC Sydney Reads the World challenge?

Zara:  I chose to do it because I thought it would be a fun challenge to read books from other cultures.

Anais: Learning online gave me more time to spend doing things that I hadn’t had time to do before, one of them being reading. I found out about the challenge seeing the signs around the library and I decided that I wanted to broaden my reading by finding books that had been translated from different languages.

Monet: I decided to participate in the PLC Sydney Reads the World Challenge because I love reading and saw this challenge as a wonderful opportunity to broaden my knowledge of different cultures around the world.  

What has been the best part of reading around the world?

Zara:  I like the insight it gives into other cultures.

Anais: The best part about this challenge is being able to gain insight into the literature of other countries and to discover what beliefs and morals that they uphold in their stories. 

Monet: The best part of the challenge was that I got to read books set in countries from all around the globe.  It was amazing to learn about different cultures and have some understanding of how cultures and customs develop in different societies. This gave me a better understanding of why certain cultures adhere to particular customs. 

What is your favourite Asian book? Why? 

Zara:  The City of Sand series by Tianxia Bachang/ It was exciting and also gave me insight into China's ancient history and a bit of Chinese geography.

Anais: I enjoyed The Art of War which is a short book containing strategies on how to fight wars, however, the principles addressed can also be applied to real life. This well renowned book continues to be used today, especially in militaries.

Monet: My favourite Asian book was Japanese Children’s Favourite Stories which has moral lessons within the stories.  This book provides an opportunity for a measure of self-reflection and is similar to Aesop’s Fables.

Tomorrow you can read more about Zara’s reading experience.

Congratulations to Zara, Anais and Monet!

The City of Sand by Tianxia Bachang

ISBN: 9780553524109

Publication Date: 2017-11-21

A multimillion-copy bestseller in China--now available in English! In this heart-pounding adventure, a group of individuals who have come together for an expedition, each with a specific interest, soon find themselves motivated by one common goal: the sheer will to survive.   THE QUEST: To find the lost city of Jingjue, a once-glorious kingdom, along with the burial chamber of its mysterious queen. Both lie buried under the golden dunes of the desert, where fierce sandstorms and blazing heat show no mercy.   THE TEAM:  Teenagers Tianyi, who has the ability read the earth and sky through feng shui, and Kai, Tianyi's best friend and confidant; Julie, a wealthy American whose father vanished on the same trek a year ago; Professor Chen, who wants to fulfill a lifelong dream; and Asat Amat, a local guide gifted in desert survival.   THE OBSTACLES: Lethal creatures of the desert and an evil force that wants to entomb the explorers under the unforgiving sands of China's Taklimakan Desert forever. Translated from the Chinese by Jeremy Tiang, whose recent work includes NEVER GROW UP, the translation from Chinese of the autobiography from action movie superstar Jackie Chan.

The Art of War by Tzu Sun; Anthony Tucker-Jones

ISBN: 9781912392100

Publication Date: 2019-04-04

A new illustrated edition of Sun Tzu's classic ancient Chinese meditation on military strategy and human psychology, with a new commentary that highlight its continued relevance for modern readers.Poetic and immensely readable, The Art of War was written 2,500 years ago and the military manual is still relevant today. A fascinating historical document that sheds light on ancient warfare, it is also a profound meditation on human psychology, interrogating the subjects of leadership, self-discipline and self-awareness.This new edition of the classic work is specially designed for modern readers. It includes an insightful introduction to the historical and philosophical context, and is accompanied by explanation and analysis of how Sun Tzu's lessons have been applied in some of the world's most famous battles. Renowned strategists from Field Marshal Montgomery to General Schwarzkopf have cited the book as an inspiration.The ancient text, attributed to Sun Tzu, is divided into 13 chapters that provide a logical and strategic approach to conflict and competition. Each focuses on a different aspect of warfare, including the importance of planning, managing your forces, decision-making, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, the art of deception and understanding the power of information.This edition, featuring more than 28 evocative photographs, offers a new perspective on a classic work and enables new generations to discover The Art of War and find new applications for the wisdom of Sun Tzu.

 

Japanese Children's Favorite Stories by Florence Sakade; Yoshisuke Kurosaki (Illustrator)

ISBN: 9784805312605

Publication Date: 2014-02-04

This colorfully illustrated multicultural children's book presents Japanese fairy tales and other folk stories--providing insight into a vibrant literary culture. For 60 years, generations of English-speaking children around the world have been enchanted byJapanese Children's Favorite Stories--and for good reason. With such titles as "The Toothpick Warriors" and "The Rabbit Who Crossed the Sea," these 20 stories offer age-old lessons in kindness and goodness that are still riveting to children and parents alike. This 60th Anniversary Tuttle edition is proof that good stories never wear out. In this treasure trove of much-beloved Japanese children's stories, you'll meet charming characters drawn from folklore and passed down for generations. These tales about playful goblins with long noses, walking statues, and a delightful hero who just happens to be one-inch tall speak of the virtues of honesty, humility and hard work. What better way for a parent to teach than through stories that thrill their children! Author Florence Sakade, a pioneer of English-language publishing in Japan, has compiled so many enchanting stories, readers will have a difficult time deciding which is their favorite. The sparking illustrations by Yoshisuke Kurosaki are a visual treat that readers of all ages will enjoy! His original and stylized watercolors bring to life the fascinating tales of fairy cranes, eel catchers, and singing turtles, among many others. These Japanese stories shine on every page and are sure to captivate your family as they have many others. TheChildren's Favorite Stories series was created to share the folktales and legends most beloved by children in the East with young readers of all backgrounds in the West. Other multicultural children's books in this series include:Asian Children's Favorite Stories, Indian Children's Favorite Stories, Indonesian Children's Favorite Stories, Singapore Children's Favorite Stories, Filipino Favorite Children's Stories, Favorite Children's Stories from China & Tibet, Chinese Children's Favorite Stories, Korean Children's Favorite Stories, Balinese Children's Favorite Stories, andVietnamese Children's Favorite Stories.