There are programs to teach letters and sounds
on iPads but please be aware – if the program has
been produced in America, then a child will be
learning the ‘z’ sound incorrectly and this may add
confusion to the learning of that letter and sound.
As a teacher I have seen this first hand.
Swapping into my other profession as an author,
I recently went to a course about writing for
children and getting published. The publisher gave
us some statistics about children’s reading. It was
interesting to hear that many children still in
primary school are opting to read a book rather than
using an iPad. The research found that children
liked to use their iPads as a form of entertainment
rather than using them as books.
Personally I am a big fan of picture books. I love
to hold a book and share the story with a child.
Nothing can beat this experience. There needs to be
a place for picture books and storytelling for little
ones. I want to see children reading books and not
continuously using iPads.
The National Year of Reading was in 2012.
Authors were asked to be friends of this event. I
was proud to be one of them. This initiative brought
libraries, booksellers, publishers, literacy
organizations, schools, community members and
many more together to promote literacy in
Australia. ‘Between the pages of a book is a lovely
place to be,’ (anonymous) and I hope future
generations will continue to value reading books.
Juliet M Sampson is a teacher and author, who
has published two novels: Bon Voyage! and
Behind the Mask.
www.julietmsampson.com
Bon Voyage! by Juliet M Sampson
What do you do after your heart has been broken?
Amanda is a quiet, slightly nervous young woman
who is trying to get on with her life after a failed
relationship. She has always dreamed of going to
Paris and seeing the Eiffel Tower and decides to join
a coach tour of young travellers across Europe.
The group seems friendly and there are plenty of
fun times but who is that shadowy figure in the
background? Could someone be stalking Amanda?
This travel escapade has adventure, mystery
and romance, as well as allowing the reader to
discover new places and culture.
www.goodreads.com/author/show/5761473.Juliet
_M_Sampson?from_search=true
“Juliet's style is compelling, and her subject
matter poignant. She is a gifted author, and her
www.facebook.com/pages/Juliet-M-
passion for writing is obvious in her work. I can't
Sampson/258929854117897
wait for her next book.”
www.twitter.com/JulietMSampson
Dr Stephen Parnis