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 Image - ELK Publishing Today, the world of literature has become one of the biggest commercial markets in the world. Publishing has expanded exponentially and the means by which one is expected to deliver such information to the reader, is painting a very new face. Yes, many individuals would consider this good business. Yet, is children’s' education suffering - given that literature is just not catering to the learning and academic needs of the child? Are publishers too caught up in the world of capitalism to notice - literacy and numeracy rates are plummeting?
ACER - Australian Council for Educational Research revealed, Australians lack sufficient numeracy and literacy skills to sustain them through life - stating that it is having a negative impact on the economy, the individuals and on productivity. "The 21st century requires its citizens and workers to have increasingly higher-level literacy and numeracy skills,” Mr Tout stated (Herald: 2013). According to the 2012 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which measures maths, reading and science skills of half a million 15-year-olds from around the world, Australia’s ranking fell in all subjects: from 15th to 19th in mathematics; 10th to 16th in science and 9th to 14th in reading, since 2009. "Asian countries like China, Singapore, Korea and Japan are pulling ahead of Australian students in maths and reading." (Anderson: 2013) Understandably, more and more of our young children, particularly boys are being left behind. Young adults and adolescents are entering the job market with insufficient literacy skills. Unfortunately, Australia is not the only country in this boat. So, where am I going with this? Illiterate individuals do not just notice one day, they cannot read. It is a state of being that gets progressively worse over the years. It does not start at secondary school. The problem arises much early - primary school, kindergarten, pre-school - before they enter the school arena. The problem of not being able to read, somehow gets overlooked - let go or ignored. It is considered too minuscule to worry about. What is the old saying? 'It will sort its self out.' However, we cannot sit back and wait for this to happen; nor can we blame teachers or schools for letting it get this bad. We must remember, there is not one child in a classroom, but thirty and only so many hours in one day. Schools are under-funded; teachers are overworked; resources are more and more difficult to acquire. There are many reasons for drops in literacy rates across nations. Yet, one of the biggest concerns is when and where literacy begins? Answer: Literacy development begins at home, within a literate home environment - in the early stages of childhood. Publishers are as much responsible for assisting with this set-up, as are parents and teachers. However, how does one choose and get access to quality literature that will encourage a new reader? How does one maintain a child's reading interest? Colour-driven - large font - progressive and creative, children's literature / school texts could be the key. Unfortunately, just as children are reaching the critical stage of brain myelination (adolescence), they are expected to learn from graphic - black and white school texts supporting minute font. It should be noted, during this stage the brain is making millions of new connections; it is being re-wired and it will forfeit old connections to make ones. Is it any wonder adolescents appear to have lost the art of communication - by fact, they have. It is also another reason why they are drawn to the highly absorbent, visually stimulating, colour imagery of games - it attracts their newly connecting synapses in the brain. Publishers can greatly assist schools, teachers and parents by producing higher quality, interactive-educational packs for early literacy and numeracy acquisition; and by producing at minimum, the same quality of texts that are available for primary learners, but for the secondary educational market. This will give adolescents the extra help they need during this trying period, which in turn, could play a big part in eventually lifting literacy rates across the globe. References: Hocking, W. (2013) Herald Sun, Retrieved from: http://www.mamamia.com.au/social/pisa-results-shows-australias-failing-education-system/ Anderson,S.(2013) Mamamia, Retrieved from: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/australians-lack-basic-literacy-numeracy-skills/story-fni0fiyv-1226738549202
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 There is a lot on offer at the University of Sydney from April 24th through until May 22nd, 2025 - a whole month of online courses about Australian Children's Literature. In conjunction with 'The Children's Book Council of Australia', the 'Illuminating' program is held online and hosted, designed and presented by Professor Alyson Simpson. The course presents the Zoom webinar portion on Thursdays - May 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd @ 6pm ~ 7:30pm AEST. And... the Lectures will be available to view on Fridays - April 25th, May 2nd, 9th and 16th.  So, what is in it this time, you ask?
Well, it will highlight the CBCA Shortlist and all the Award winners. You'll get valuable content and discussion of the teaching realm and what can be done to support student ~ readers. Below is a quick breakdown of the content: Week 1 - May 1 - Reading for pleasure and why your choice matters Week 2 - May 18 - engaging the reader through picture book novels, and non-fiction Week 3 - May 15 - responding to literature - building a critical awareness through interpreting literary language Week 4 - May 22 - Choosing quality literature - how to find it and why it matters. Of course, you have access to the recorded material - broken up into one-hour blocks. Either way, pop over to the CBCA Link and find out everything you need to enjoy this short course and register. If you need some questions answered, then contact: [email protected] OR ring: 02 9351 6329 PS - It is only $99AUD so get in fast! ENJOY!!!!!  You might not have heard, but in December 2024, ELK Publishing established "Read Along With Us!" To inspire young readers who are unable to get into a great book - due to a variety of circumstances - "Read Along With Us" is an opportunity to read more, and families get to enjoy the process with them - on a nightly or daily basis. Each week, "Read Along With Us" presents a new tale for you and your kids to enjoy! It is a growing collection of entertaining, memorable and highly engaging tales to inspire every child's mind. Wonderfully talented and captivating presenters, take time out of their day to bring to life both traditional children's tales and more recent tales, so that your children have more opportunities to read on a regular basis. As stated in a recent interview - our Founder and CEO - Ms Selina Kucks, "hopes young readers will join us each week, online and over time, will remain loyal to the act of reading on a daily basis. It is imperative all children learn to read from an early age and are introduced to reading by keen authors and adults who have an honest passion to see literacy figures improve globally." Ms Kucks believes, "the act of reading enhances an individual's opportunities to get ahead in life, and greatly contributes to societal progress by reducing poverty, while improving health outcomes. Access to reading shapes lives and enables less fortunate countries, societies and their citizens to participate in the acquisition of knowledge and learning, which in-turn creates productive individuals who are willing to give back to society. "Bridging the gap is essential for creating a more equitable and prosperous world, but we cannot expect literacy outcomes to improve, if opportunities to read are not continually offered to the public. Reading has to become second nature. It has to be seen as an important part of growing up - whereby all adults encourage kids to read." To join us, click below. Then, save us in your internet collections or phone reading tab - for the next time. Share our news and help us, to help kids across the world. Visit ELK PUBLISHING - Read Along With Us! ...Because reading truly starts at home. :) 
This year, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) celebrates its 60th year in production and to celebrate their unique achievement, over 1500 exhibitors and more than 30,000 book publishing industry professionals from across the globe, will come together to: exchange publishing ideas; participate in book and publishing seminars; access B2B networking opportunities; partake in translation forums; and to take part in the latest licensing and rights trade fairs for brands focusing on: children’s and teens book publishing, illustration, animation and related areas. Publishers, illustrators, graphic designers, literary agents, authors, translators, licensors and licensees, distributors and a myriad of book and publishing professionals will all flock to the mountains of Bologna this spring to experience the world of books, publishing and multimedia in thousands of booths across six enormous, product halls. It is the birthplace of the Bologna Ragazzi Awards; the world-famous Illustrators Exhibition, Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids (BLTF/K) and of course, the Bologna Children’s Book Fair – a unique mix of cultural book shows and an international book rights forums for specific content relating to children’s books and products. ELK Publishing will also take part in the recently launched BolognaBookPlus – a three-day exhibit - in conjunction with the Italian Publishers Association, BCBF and BolognaFiere that presents a series of training programmes, business conferences, translation seminars and various B2b professional networking opportunities. Chief Editor and CEO of ELK Publishing – Ms. Selina Kucks a.k.a. Sketa who is an Australian author ~ illustrator and entertainer stated, “I feel truly honoured and excited to be invited to Bologna – to take part in such a unique, literary event.”
In conjunction with the Italian Publishers Association and the forementioned government agencies, the hosted package for Ms. Kucks will include participation in the week-long event; round trip flights to Bologna, Italy; hospitality and accommodation; airport-hotel-fair transfers; a co-op publishing booth; personalised B2B meetings with Italian Exhibitors and participation in various awards and events, in conjunction with BCBF. Ms. Kucks wishes to thank all those involved in creating this wonderful opportunity. “Blessings like this don’t come along everyday – I am truly humbled, so it’s a big thank you, from the bottom of my heart Bologna!” Selina's generous sponsors include:
 To download this press release and related photographs, click below. 
 The USQ Alumni Bookcase Event is set to go for 2017. The Schedule is up and running and it is advised potential participants book their tickets early for the weekend event. Kicking off on Friday evening 21st July, Opening Night Celebrations will commence at 6 pm, in the USQ Artsworx Gallery. Tickets for are priced at $30 for alumni, staff and students, while the community members can pick up a $35 ticket, for the evening. 
 Ms. Selina - Brisbane Korean Festival
Whether you're five or one hundred & five, this book can be gifted; or coloured and framed for your own pleasure. Follow the links to grab your copy HERE Or Amazon.com 
Sketa known to her home-town folk of Toowoomba, Queensland as Selina Kucks, stated she was excited to see this book on the next leg of its journey. "I'm tickled pink to see the final result of this next tale and believe readers will be more than happy with the creative flair in which it was published. A lot of hard work, sleepless nights and exhausted days accompany its production."
For Sketa this is the second of five books in the Possum Tales Series, but the sixth in books published to date. Writing the YA novel series 'The Parchment' in 2009, readers were keen to receive its Korean translation in 2010 and the 'The Parchment Tale unfolds in 2012. The third and final book in this trilogy was ticked for publication last year, "but due to particular family issues over the last couple of years, I was never in the frame of mind to complete it", she said. We wish Sketa all the very best with 'Possum Tales...an Odd Day' and hope you'll show your support on Good Friday, 25th, 2016 for the Amazon release. Go get 'em Sketa! May Briggs Publicity & Correspondence ELK Publishing  Possums Tales...an odd day - written by Sketa
 Image - ELK Publishing
 Image - ELK Publishing I know some of you read a lot of comics and in my days, comics were all the rage as the internet just didn't really exist. But... if you think those days are done and dusted, then think again. Comics and their significant digital counterpart, are making a resurgence! Comic bookshops are popping up in the most unlikely of places, alongside arcades that once housed the dying, collector card-game traders. They are again popular and doing a roaring trade. With the growth of the internet and the spread of information across the sphere, budding young artists are now able to turn their artistic hands into making a tidy sum. "It was always difficult getting artwork out in the public eye, because unless you worked for Marvel, publishers just weren't interested," states Kevin Cartwright. "I know scores of really talented artists who have been drawing for just an eternity and they make nothing from their work. They sit at home penniless, while someone else exploits them and takes the cheque. I think the biggest problem in the past has been not knowing how to get work out there. For some artists they can draw alright, but they are lousy at the business side of things, so they get taken for a ride, so many times. You have to be really tech-savy to survive."
 Featured Illustrator - 'Doming' 'Possums Tales ...An Odd Day'
written by Sketa ...is in the final stages of completion and is set to hit book-stores and online stores, within just a few short months. With Christmas only around the corner, now is the time to pre-order copies for family and friends - to fill those Christmas stockings. In this escapade, Milly faces a narrow escape from the neighbourhood bushfire and if it is not for the smart thinking of her loving Poss, she might be stuck in the hollow of her log. ...but you know Poss, he doesn't always resolve things in a logical manner.  Image - ELK Publishing Although we might think, at birth all organs in the body are complete, this is not the case. The brain is the only organ in the body that is an unfinished work of art. It will continue to mature, grow, regrow and make new connections for more than a decade. Those who think the brain myelination process is finished by the time a child reaches the early age of three years, will be sorely mistaken. Neuronal insulation of electrical connections is propagated as a myelin sheath and it is in the teens years, where we see this process in full swing. We might think teens have switched off or have even lost the ability of language because they answer via grunts or through few words. Well in fact they have. Teens experience a period where the old, unused electrical connections are being shed for newer, appropriate synaptic connections as they gather and process knowledge. The myelin sheath insulates those needed electrical connections. If children do not make sufficient, essential synaptic connections at an early enough age, they will run risk of losing connections that are imperative for the establishment of language, reading etc. due to the heavy demyelination process incurred throughout the teens years.  Fixing a school is something we all can relate to as teachers. However, I don't know if he is doing anything different or revolutionary that hasn't already been tried. Schools - secondary or primary are difficult entities to make passive for the sake of learning; how can we get kids on seats and learning, if they have no respect for teachers in the beginning? I am positive there are schools here in Australia that could benefit from his knowledge. What do you think?
How a high-school principal curbed suspensions with a bit of compassion - http://klou.tt/8em3rwpjezgb Further on this article can be found at: The Globe And Mail | Curbing suspensions with compassion — Rachel Giese (rachel-giese.com)
With only twelve days until Christmas, you'll need to get your book orders in swiftly. For personal orders just follow the links to place your orders. For corporate or bulk school purchases, please contact us and we will get back to you within 24 hours. We hope you enjoy this new publication and look forward to receiving your reviews - either left here or on Amazon. 
It seems to be taking forever...but a watched pot never boils, right? Nevertheless, my patience is quickly waning. So what does the cover of 'Possum Tales...in the Lettuce Patch' look like? Pretty good, I have to say. I hope you will agree with me. It is simple, yet bold and does exactly what I expect it would...entice the reader to pick it up and look inside. Young readers are a very particular audience to write for and I hope they will give it their seal of approval. As you know, this children's picture book has been illustrated by the talented Doming 도밍. (No I didn't illustrate this one.) She is a great artist and has worked hard to do my story justice. It is hopefully the first of many short stories. Five of these were finished a good year or two ago; they will be illustrated over the coming months. 'Possum Tales - in the Lettuce Patch' is the first off the chopping block! Hopefully you will see it in hardback, next year too. So, take a look at the cover and let me know if you'd like to order a copy.  |
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