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Long's Resource Portfolio

Library Resources

This page features resources which were collected during my five-week placement, informed by conversations with the librarians working at the school.

Movie Adaption Library Display
The Truck Cat Library Display
This is an engaging book display that was found in the school library. The display features books such as The Golden Compass (by Phillip Pullman) and Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief (by Rick Riordan) that have been adapted into movies. By reading the book and watching the movie, students can respond to literature by discussing how characters, themes, and events are presented in different ways.
The Truck Cat (by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell) won Picture Book of the Year in 2025. The librarian noted that a themed display sparks students' curiosity, engaging them with a book they might otherwise overlook.
Library Book Review
Book Selection (Prep Students)
This is a student-written review of a graphic novel called Catwad: Four me? (by Jim Benton). This is only one of many student-written reviews displayed on the bookshelves in the library. By displaying these reviews, students have a genuine audience for their writing, which helps make reading and writing feel more purposeful and engaging.
When the Prep students visit the library, the librarian provides them with themes to help them pick out books (e.g., find a book that starts with the letter 'C', has the colour green, features a fast animal). Letting young students choose their own books supports autonomy and self-esteem because they can see themselves as capable decision-makers. Using different themes also encourages students to engage with a range of texts which can help them explore diverse perspectives and develop personal and social capabilities.
Author Visits
Library Session (Book Blurbs)
In Term 2, the students will have author visits from Peter Carnavas (Grades 1-4) and Tristan Bancks (Grades 5-6). The librarian said that author visits are great because students can ask questions, hear the stories being read aloud, and learn about how the author came up with their ideas.
Once a week, the librarian has a session with the students where they read out the blurbs of the new-release books. If the students are interested in the book, they can put their hand up and borrow the book. The librarian said that this was a great way of helping students who need support choosing appropriate texts.
The Grade 5 and 6 students at the school participate in the Reader's Cup. To prepare for it, students have to read five books. The books in 2026 include Childish (by Morris Gleitzman), Down the Plot (by Annaleise Byrd), Inked (by Karen Wasson), We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-Year-Old Overlord (by Garth Nix), and The Year We Escaped (by Suzanne Leal). The students that get selected for the Reader's Cup team get to visit another school where they compete in teams or four or give to answer quiz questions about the book.
Read More in May is a challenge created by Scholastic. There is calendar with fun daily challenges including: read outside, read a book a friend picked, read for 20 minutes. The aim of the challenge is to help students build sustained reading habits and a positive attitude towards reading.
Book Suggestion Box
The Queensland Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) takes place from 11 May 2026 to 28 August 2026. Students can complete the challenge by reading the required number of books (15-20 books depending on the year level). Students can selected books from an approved PRC list (including a mix of fiction non-fiction, eBooks, audiobooks) which helps develop a sense of autonomy. PRC certificates are often presented at school, giving students a sense of pride in their efforts and supporting a positive reading experience by making it visible, enjoyable, and personally meaningful.
If the students have a book that they're interested in but the library doesn't have it, they can fill out a request form and put it in the book suggestion form. The librarian said that in most cases, the library will order the book and once the book arrives, the requestor will receive an email. Allowing students to make book suggestions improves reading engagement because it gives them autonomy and helps them feel that their interests matter.
Home Languages Library Display
National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) takes place at midday on 27 May 2026 where students, teachers, and parents from all over Australia come together to read Luna Roo (by Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd) at the same time. The story follows the energetic kangaroo Luna and her friends as they pursue their football dreams across the outback, combining action, teamwork, and fun to inspire young readers. Luna Roo was chosen from 84 submissions by publishers from across the country. The purpose of NSS is to celebrate the joy of reading, storytelling, and connection. In the lead up to NSS, the librarian said that the students do fun activities themed around Luna Roo like creating their own soccer jerseys.
This display includes books written in the home languages of students at the school, such as Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese. Having multilingual books can strengthen motivation and engagement by helping students connect reading with their family, culture, and everyday experiences. It also aligns with the English curriculum, which encourages students to enjoy a range of texts, including literature from diverse cultural and social contexts.