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Bacalen Books: The Story Weavers

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25.01.2022 We are also passionate about living more sustainably. However you cant force people to care or understand about our natural environment. In fact you cant force them to care about anything. What you can do is help them to connect with it. We have certainly learnt this when trying to advocate for learning differences such as Irlen Syndrome. Stories often help to start important conversations.

23.01.2022 The growth cycle of children and writing is extraordinary to watch. We are on this journey with them and knowing how to support them is important. This post really helped me to put this journey in perspective: our 12 year old who ebbs and flows with writing tasks and our 17 year old whose writing is now very thoughtful and insightful.

23.01.2022 BOOKSHOP BROWSE Another trip to our local bookshop Collins Booksellers Wagga to find a new series for one of the junior authors. Any other book recommendations or reviews? Books stsrt conversations so start one today!

23.01.2022 BIRTHDAY BOOK GIVE AWAY! Hooray! It’s time for a children’s chapter book give away! TODAY one of our junior Irlen authors became a teenager! To celebrate this and Irlen Awareness Week 19-23 October 2020, we are giving away a copy of Book 2: The Picture Pinchers to TWO lucky winners.... To win a copy of the Book 2: The Picture Pinchers (free postage world wide to the winners) please: - Like & tag a friend on this post who you think would also enjoy reading this story with their children AND ALSO - Leave a comment below with the name of the Bacalen Story Weaver (or Bacalen Bookworm) character who wears your favourite coloured Irlen glasses. Remember, downloadable chapters from Book 1: The Story Weavers are still available to view on our website and there are plenty of character clues to be found in the picture below, the glossary of each book or on the Bacalen Books website: https://bacalenbooks.com.au/glossary-of-terms ENTRIES CLOSE: You have until the midnight (Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time ) October 22, 2020 to enter. A name will be randomly drawn out and announced on October 23 2020. The winners will be PM’d for their postal address so that they can receive Book 2: The Picture Pinchers. This is not affiliated or endorsed by Facebook.

20.01.2022 A new picture book from #EmpoweringResources that looks at online behaviour and bullying. Very pertinent given the increased amount of online time that may be experienced during Covid ISO.

20.01.2022 Two years ago we took our leaning difference heroes from Bacalen to New Zealand schools! So much fun and interest and acceptance! Open hearts and open minds! So hope we can travel back soon.

20.01.2022 48 countries have found the Bacalen Books website. Welcome Taiwan, Vietnam, UAE & the Philippines.48 countries have found the Bacalen Books website. Welcome Taiwan, Vietnam, UAE & the Philippines.

20.01.2022 Thank you to readers who have been downloading weekly chapters of The Story Snatchers, the first book in our Irlen series, The Story Weavers of Bacalen (published in 2017). We hope that you have enjoyed sharing this adventure with others during ISO. The second adventure, The Picture Pinchers, could also be made available during this time of Covid uncertainty if readers are keen to learn more about our global Irlen heroes. Leave a comment, send us a PM or email us: [email protected] if you would like to read more.... STAY SAFE #IrlenSyndrome #diversityinchildrensliterature #learningdifferences

19.01.2022 WHAT IF PICTURES AND PERCEPTION CHANGE? The antagonists that we meet in the second Bacalen chapter book adventure are The Picture Pinchers. These foes of The Story Weavers of Bacalen take away our perception to properly view digital images, art and pictures. They making it very difficult for everyone on Earth to enjoy all the different forms of art. People from Bacalen are not affected and must stop the growing pilfers of Pinchers. The heroic Story Weavers have a learning dif...ference and coloured glasses to protect them. They join forces with the Bacalen C.I.A. (Colour Investigation Agency) to stop The Pinchers. If you have a real learning difference such as Irlen Syndrome, then you will understand that things like looking at images on digital screens or detailed and 3-D drawing can be very difficult without the use of coloured lenses. These tinted filters may provide improved perception and even enhance colour recognition. This is a way to manage the real Picture Pinchers who want to steal our love of art and creating. Have you ever come across a group of Picture Pinchers? Now you know why they are called a pilfer of Pinchers. Find out more about Irlen Syndrome and how to manage it: https://bacalenbooks.com.au/irlen-syndrome See more

19.01.2022 These dragon tales totally engrossed me as a teen and adult. The junior authors also love them (there is a short story collection that is particularly good for middle-grade readers and the first two Menolly stories are also wonderful for 12 years and older!). So excited to see this newly released Menolly and her fire-dragon collection!

17.01.2022 It is our differences that make us truly remarkable.... As a scientist and science communicator, I love botanical and scientific drawings and the illustrator of this book does them so very, very well. Such astounding detail! What I didnt like was the title and the use of the word ugly. ... Although I am sure the author artist compiled this gorgeous book with the sole intent to raise awareness of these less well known animals, it is very important not to brand them ugly on the front cover. Unique and perhaps unusual but not ugly. I doubt a book about people who differ from the societal norm would have been given the title The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Humans. Children learn so much from what they see and hear. I wrote about my concern with the title when I saw it on the Childrens Book Council of Australia Face Book page. I am glad when I raised my concerns that a teacher librarian agreed with my assessment and also wrote how the students felt: I thought the same but thankfully when I read this to each class from K-6, this was raised by the children themselves. So many actually suggested unique should replace ugly. LOVED the book though - and so did the kids. Books start conversations so start one today....

17.01.2022 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: ARE YOUR STORIES FACT OR FICTION? Fiction: In our adventures, The Story Weavers of Bacalen are super heroes who save the world from The Story Snatchers. BUT...... Fact: These children have a REAL learning difference called Irlen Syndrome. They wear coloured glasses to help them read. Irlen Syndrome or visual stress doesnt just affect reading and children. It affects adults too and can cause other symptoms. Wearing the correct spectral filters or coloured lenses reduces the visual stress and therefore helps to alleviate symptoms such as migraines, anxiety (including school phobias), excessive daytime fatigue and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. When the anxiety associated with visual stress is reduced by wearing Irlen Spectral Filters patients can make remarkable physical improvements. Wearing Irlen lenses can assist drivers with better depth perception and the glare from headlights during night time driving can also be reduced. Find out more by visiting: https://bacalenbooks.com.au/irlen-syndrome

17.01.2022 Chapter 18: How will this story end? Time for more Irlen adventures with The Story Weavers. The Story Snatchers are ruining the worlds stories. Have your saga pods ready to protect yourself from Story Snatchers who want to stamp you with transforming ink and turn you and the rest of the worlds population into Snatchers! If you would like to read the first Story Weaver adventure then come and visit our website and find them ready as a PDF download at Miss Paiges Resources.... All of the 18 chapters are now available to explore as this first Iren adventure reaches its conclusion! We are providing the chapters from Book 1: The Story Snatchers as free downloads during this time of Covid-19 uncertainty. Our website also has clues to help readers break the codes that are found on the bookmarks. The Blue bookmark has a clue that will tell you where these Irlen adventurers will visit in Book 2: The Picture Pinchers. Books start conversations so start one today! FREE CHAPTER DOWNLOADS HERE: https://bacalenbooks.com.au/miss-paiges-resources

17.01.2022 ADVOCATE WITH PASSION Knowing that you have a learning difference and how to manage it doesnt always mean a perfectly level playing field. However imagine if you werent aware that you had a learning difference and thought that everyone saw things like you did. You also thought that you couldnt do the school work as easily because you must be unintelligent. A child or adult should never be made to feel like this. Have an open heart and open mind. ... Our puzzle piece was the discovery of a perceptual processing and light sensitivity disorder and Irlen lenses and then spending time revisiting and understanding key concepts that had been missed in the classroom. Find out more: https://bacalenbooks.com.au/irlen-syndrome See more

17.01.2022 We can often adapt over time to our environments but in other instances, particularly in the environment of education, we must also remember this quote from Alexander Den Heijer. It is so important to be open to new strategies and techniques that assist with learning. Irlen lenses could be part of solving that learning puzzle. They can certainly change a persons environment!

17.01.2022 CONNECTING OUR WORLDS Advocating for those with a learning difference in educational settings can be difficult. We must help others to understand that this difference doesnt define a person. There are many different ways to work together so that a persons abilities can be fostered and enhanced. We all need to step outside the comfort of our own worlds and reach out to others.

17.01.2022 Bacalen Books and their Irlen Syndrome adventurers inform and advocate for learning differences through middle-grade stories. Before we decided to spread the word about Irlen Syndrome by writing stories with Irlen heroes, we spoke to family, friends and colleagues about our own experience with Irlen Syndrome and how being diagnosed was life changing. This week we received a post from a friend I have known since university and who, after staying with us and hearing about why m...y husband wore yellowy lenses, was tested in Brisbane by Irlen Diagnostic Clinic Sunshine Coast. I clearly remember her struggles and frustration during uni exams. She was very bright but her results didn’t reflect that - particularly in multi-choice exams. Now she has multiple degrees - including a PhD! She wrote: The energy and time I had to put into learning and reading was reduced substantially when I found out I had this and got special Irlen lenses in my glasses. I have since identified this in other students and have made a difference to their lives too. It really is worth knowing about and testing. Thanks Annabel Bowcher for identifying the signs in me and encouraging me to get tested. Forever grateful

17.01.2022 As we enter Irlen Syndrome Awareness Week it is important to share just why an Irlen Syndrome diagnosis and specially tinted lenses can change lives and not just in the area of reading. Irlen lenses can send ‘The Sport Spoilers’ packing too!

16.01.2022 Its Friday! Please take time to relax and recharge over the weekend. I would suggest reading or listening to a book but whatever works! Stay safe

16.01.2022 WHAT IF WORDS CHANGED? The antagonists that we meet in the first Bacalen chapter book adventure are The Story Snatchers. These foes of The Story Weavers of Bacalen change words on pages and make reading a very unpleasant experience for everyone on Earth. People from Bacalen are not affected and must stop the growing steals of Snatchers. The heroic Story Weavers have a learning difference and coloured glasses to protect them. If you have a real learning difference such as Irle...n Syndrome, then you will understand that reading and writing can be very difficult without the use of coloured lenses or overlays. This is a way to manage the real Story Snatchers who want to steal our love of writing or reading. Have you ever come across a group of Story Snatchers? Now you know why they are called a steal of Snatchers. Find out more about Irlen Syndrome and how to manage it: https://bacalenbooks.com.au/irlen-syndrome

15.01.2022 WE ALL NEED AN OPEN HEART AND MIND What did you play today? - an 8 year old is asked about his day. This child wears coloured lenses to manage the symptoms of his learning difference and has often been teased about looking different when he wears his glasses. I played with a boy who doesnt have many friends. He gets teased because he looks a bit different.... Was he happy to be playing with you and your friends? I think so. (tears form in his 8 year old eyes) He spends quite a bit of time by himself but we are bringing him out of the darkness of loneliness and into the light of friendship. Mum its not his facial features that are important but what he is like in his heart! Beautiful words, beautiful heart. May we all remember this every day. Xx

15.01.2022 The online digital world: just because we can doesnt mean we should. Communication and planning are the keys to so many things. We are very fortunate to be able to access online platforms to assist us in our daily tasks, for schooling and in the work place. However, just because this plethora of platforms, apps or programs exist, doesnt mean that they need to be used at all or all the time or without wondering just because we can doesnt mean we should. Planning and communication are still key to making the digital world work for us in the best way possible. We must always ask Why, how and when should I incorporate digital elements into my world? This time of Covid ISO will no doubt continue to expose pros and cons in our various online worlds and provide opportunities to review and reset.

15.01.2022 BOOKS VS MOVIES What would happen if the adventures of The Story Weavers of Bacalen and their rides across the globe in book return chutes were turned into a movie? Well we think the movie WOULD BE better than the book because more people would be able to experience what it is like to ZOOM through those magical book chutes, fight The Snatchers and save the world! And all that achieved with a learning difference and a pair of coloured glasses!

15.01.2022 It’s been a tough year for so many and that includes the book shop featured in The Picture Pinchers, the second adventure of our global literary adventurers, The Story Weavers! If you would like to support this historical French book shop, please read below. Sending best wishes to Shakespeare and Co.

14.01.2022 Absolutely, positively YES!

14.01.2022 Covid 19 Home schooling has certainly made us acutely aware of some writing and organisational difficulties that our youngest junior Irlen author is experiencing. Last year we were quite sure that he was not building on the excellent habits and learning approaches introduced to him by two fabulous teachers in the previous year. However last years teacher kept saying everything was fine. It was NOT fine and we have spent this year unpacking what didnt happen last year. If you feel something isnt right with your childs learning then find out more. Parents know their children well and should be their biggest advocates.

14.01.2022 Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

14.01.2022 If anyone ever thinks that wearing coloured lenses is weird then embrace that! They just havent quite understood what diversity means and why it needs to be celebrated!

12.01.2022 Communication is essential for everyone.

12.01.2022 We decided to walk the often rocky road of self-published authors to give a voice to learning difference heroes and increase the diversity in childrens literature. We firmly believe that books start conversations that really matter.

11.01.2022 HELPING AND MENTORING OTHERS If you have been struggling with phonemic or perceptual dyslexia it is life changing to know that others have been on similar journeys and are there to help... Together we are stronger.

10.01.2022 MOVIE PREMIERE SEPTEMBER 15 is the World Premiere of the movie Mical... Its time to make a change. Streaming Only on Silverprince Pictures Youtube Channel. SUBSCRIBE to their channel for the latest update and live premiere of the film: https://rb.gy/2ljwit #dyslexia #dyslexiaawareness #film #Mical Based on a true story of tenacity, a seven-year-old boy struggles to make sense of words on the page. But when Mike is diagnosed with dyslexia and the teachers continue to fail him, his mother takes matters into her own hands to help her son fulfil his true potential.

10.01.2022 This year has been one long adapted game of ‘The Floor is Lava’! Hoping our readers are doing ok wherever you are in the world. (Thank you Fowl Language Comics!)

09.01.2022 Another option for wearing masks with glasses!

09.01.2022 Some important communication tips...

07.01.2022 ADVOCACY FOR LEARNING DIFFERENCES Love this young womans commitment to Irlen Syndrome advocacy. Thank you Hannah Louise Miller https://youtu.be/4PcqJs-BRIQ

06.01.2022 BOOKSHELF BROWSE Today we look at one of our favourite dragon authors, Anne McCaffrey. Her world of Pern and its dragon-riders was an extraordinary find by my 12 year old self in my school library! My junior authors have also become totally absorbed by these books. This book of short stories is a wonderful way to introduce readers aged 9+ to the world of Pern dragon-riders who speak telepathically with dragons and defend their world. The Smallest Dragonboy, is about Keevan..., the youngest dragonrider candidate who desperately wants to impress a dragon when the next clutch of eggs hatches. A story of determination and resilience. The Girl Who Heard Dragons, introduces readers to a young girl who has a rare ability to communicate with all the dragons. This gift puts her family in danger and will also make her face her greatest fear. The Runner of Pern is story of a girl named Tenna, who follows the family tradition of being a Runner of Pern. These people are swift and deliver messages across Pern via mossy traces or tracks. These have been used for centuries on this planet because the dragons and their riders are busy in the skies protecting Pern and its people from the deadly Thread that falls from the sky. In Ever the Twain readers meet twins whose village is visited by dragon riders looking for young dragon rider candidates. One twin has been dreamt of this all their life but the other is chosen first. Will they be separated and dreams shattered? The four stories in this book have some detailed illustrations by Tom Kidd.

04.01.2022 Finding balance between activities during teenage years can often be tricky. Revisiting stories may just be whats needed to reignite a passion for reading.

04.01.2022 When Irlen Awareness Week and Book Week collide in Australia it is an excellent time to raise Irlen Awareness and see Irlen Adventurers like The Story Weavers of Bacalen as part of the dress_up fun. Has anyone seen them at their school this week? Don’t forget this week there is a competition on our FB page to win a copy of Book 2: The Picture Pinchers!

03.01.2022 BOOKSHOP BROWSE: When one of the junior authors tells you that his science assignment is on sewage systems and the next day at the local bookshop you find this little gem by Scottish author, Ross Mackenzie then you know the book has called to you! The first instalment in his new magical series introduces readers to Larabelle Fox, an orphan who makes her living by treasure hunting in the sewers.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62m_3UAgTYo

03.01.2022 School work doesnt need to become a battle. There may be a very good reason for reluctance and avoidance or lack of concentration. Taking an Irlen Syndrome self test to determine if this light sensitivity and processing disorder is part of the equation is worth while. Visit https://aaic.org.au/self-tests and take a:... Child Self Test Teenager Self Test Adult Self Test Headaches, Migraines, Eye Strain, Fatigue Self Test Light Sensitivity Self Test ADHD Self Test OR Autism Self Test It may just change your life.

02.01.2022 Dont let The Music Meddlers ever take the joy of music from your everyday activities! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HmltHR0uB9E

01.01.2022 I love this representation of the autism spectrum. I suspect that this also represents how most learning differences should be viewed....

01.01.2022 Bacalen Books is definitely committed to this. It is the reason we began sharing our stories about learning differences.