Before Reading
Look at the cover of the book with the class.
What do you think the book will be about? What makes you say that?
• Why do we apologise?
• Have there been any apologies to groups in history by cities, governments or countries?
What do you think the book will be about? What makes you say that?
• Why do we apologise?
- Should you apologise for something that you weren't personally responsible for?
• Have there been any apologies to groups in history by cities, governments or countries?
Watch the video
Watch the video from Behind the News. It explains the Apology to the Stolen Generation given by Kevin Rudd (The Prime Minister in Australia) in 2008. This year marks the 10th Anniversary of this historic apology. It also provides us with some background to the experiences of Aboriginal peoples effected by the policies that led to the Stolen Generation.
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Reading and discussing the text
Look at the endpapers. How do they make you feel?
Read the Forward. Do you agree that it is important for us to know why we have Sorry Day? Why? Read the story, pausing where necessary to discuss. Afterwards: What effect does it have when there are two stories running side by side through the book? Why do you think the author has chosen to do this? Both "Maggies" are frightened. Explain how the author is showing us (the readers) how important family bonds and security are to children. Why did the applause of the crowd signal hope? Look closely at the pull out page. What are the illustrations representing. How do you "read" this spread? |
The illustrations
Look at the colour choices and the style of illustration in this book.
Why do you think the illustrator chose to use particular colours, representing past and present, and how is this style of illustration significant to you? How do the illustrations tell the story?
• Imagine seeing the illustrations without the text. What details in the illustrations tell you that the book is set in the past and the present? (You could consider clothing, technology, transport, even the colours.) Do you understand what’s happening in this story without the text?
• How do the colour choices and style of illustration affect you emotionally? Do you have an emotional response to looking at these illustrations?
• What illustrations do you like the best and why? Which illustrations did you find most powerful or emotional?
Why do you think the illustrator chose to use particular colours, representing past and present, and how is this style of illustration significant to you? How do the illustrations tell the story?
• Imagine seeing the illustrations without the text. What details in the illustrations tell you that the book is set in the past and the present? (You could consider clothing, technology, transport, even the colours.) Do you understand what’s happening in this story without the text?
• How do the colour choices and style of illustration affect you emotionally? Do you have an emotional response to looking at these illustrations?
• What illustrations do you like the best and why? Which illustrations did you find most powerful or emotional?