Rugby Union

• Lloyd, Gill; Jefferis, David 1993, Rugby Union, (Sports skills), Wayland, Hove.
  Hardcover, 32 p.
  The basic skills and strategies of rugby union are presented in this introduction to the sport. Defensive and offensive skills are examined. Action photographs and colour illustrations add to the appeal. A glossary of sport-specific terms completes the book and a reference list of other books related to the topic is provided. Students aged 8-12 would benefit most.
  C 796.333 LLO 1993 (Level: MP-UP)
• O'Rorke, Terence 1993, Rugby, (Go for sport!), Wayland, Hove.
  Hardcover, 48 p.
  This book deals in detail with the aspects of the game of rugby union football. The history and development of the game, the laws and order of play, a break down of skills required, as well as different tactical strategies are included. There is mention of the training and fitness required and major tournament information is provided.
  The 'Go for sport' series is written in non-gender specific language, and females and males are equally represented in the illustrations. Clear directions relating to basic techniques are given and the colourful photographs and well-labelled diagrams extend and illustrate the text well. An index and numerous sub-headings make the material easily accessible to students. Boxed information offers practical advice and safety hints. A glossary of terms and further reading list are included. This title would be most useful to players and coaches.
  C 796.333 ORO 1993 (Level: MP-LS)
• Marshall, David 1994, Rugby, (Successful sports series), Heinemann, Oxford.
  Hardcover, 30 p.
  This comprehensive look at rugby (Union and League) manages to explain rules and techniques and still entertain. The differences between Union and League are clearly illustrated by text and diagrams all through the book. The conversational style makes reading easy. Australia is well-represented and the book would appeal to young players. The extra data on players, games, records and incidents would hold the interest of the reluctant reader. Fascinating facts about sporting greats (earning, origins, records) enliven the basic text. Illustrations and text are not gender-specific so would appeal to males and females. The double-page spreads are visually-appealing. A good glossary and index are supplied.
  C 796.333 MAR 1994 (Level: MP-LS)
• Langley, Andrew 2004, An international Rugby Union star, (The making of a champion), Heinemann Library, Oxford.
  Hardcover, 48 p.
  'The making of a champion' series looks at what people need to succeed in their sport, from basic aptitude, ability and progression as a young person, to fitness and training, dedication and a will to win.
  C 796.333 LAN 2004 (Level: UP-LS)

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Host nation - France

• Costain, Meredith; Collins, Paul 2000, Welcome to France, (Macmillan countries series), Macmillan Library, South Yarra, Vic.
  Hardcover, 32 p.
  This colourful book explores all aspects of life in France including its culture, schooling, food, plants and animals, landscape, towns and cities and history. Useful for individual research projects in Culture and Identity stand.
  This title is introduced by a young child who begins by telling the reader something about his family life in a local village or township. The sixteen chapters proceed to inform the reader about the broader aspects of the child's country. The fact that the child portrayed in the introduction appears to be about seven years old belies the fact that the volume and complexity of information provided is more accessible to older students. Certainly the ample photographs carry extensive captions and will provide any student who picks up this attractive book with a lively sense of the country and its culture.
  Common phrase and number translations are presented on the inside covers of the book although no guide to pronunciation is given. The 'make and do' activity would appeal to younger students and a local recipe is also included. Small charts provide fast facts on climate and festivals. A full-page grid provides a quick find fact file. A map of the country showing its immediate context is included but does not give a clear sense of its place even in its own continent. Words in bold are defined in the glossary. The contents page and index are clearly presented.
  C 944 COS 2000 (Level: MP-UP)
• Fisher, Teresa 1996, France, (Country insights), Wayland, Hove.
  Hardcover, 48 p.
  This introduction to the landscape and culture of France focuses on Aix-en-Provence and Beuvron-en-Auge and their inhabitants. 'Country insights' is an attractive series that explores countries mainly through examination of life in two communities - a city and a rural village or town. Organised under geography, home life, work and school, leisure activities and future directions, the information is simply written for competent young readers. Useful maps of the country and the two population centres are provided, along with separately-boxed facts, adding to the accessibility of the data. Good typeface and clear, colour photographs contribute to the appealing layout. A glossary, lists of books and addresses and an index are aids to efficient use. A worthwhile resource for project and research work in Studies of Society and Environment and studies of genre in English.
  C 944.083 FIS 1996 (Level: MP-UP)

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Australia's opponents in Pool B

• Sylvester, John 1995, Canada, (Country fact files), Macdonald Young, Hemel Hempstead, U.K.
  Hardcover, 45 p.
  This geographical overview of Canada is beautifully presented and attractively illustrated. Couched in language that is easy to understand, the book presents a welter of statistics on subjects such as climate, industry, population and agriculture. Excellent pie diagrams reinforce the data. The bar graphs are less successful as they incorporate two separate items of data, which is confusing for upper primary students. A 'key facts' box provides international and interstate comparisons. Abundant use of maps is a notable feature. There is an index and a limited glossary.
  C 971.064 SYL 1995 (Level: UP-LS)
• Guile, Melanie 2005, Fiji, (Islands of the South Pacific), Heinemann Library, Port Melbourne, Vic.
  Hardcover, 32 p.
  Each title in the Islands of the South Pacific series focuses on a particular group of islands including Micronesia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa and Tuvalu, Solomon Islands and Tonga. Each contains a comprehensive geographical and historical background including a timeline of the area's history. There are a plethora of vibrant and informative photographs, maps and flags. Activities such as an indigenous craft and recipes for students to try and an interesting ‘Say it in…’ language activity should stimulate students to engage with this learning. A ‘Find out more’ section with suggested books and websites is given. A glossary and index are provided separately at the close. The vocabulary used is appropriate for middle primary levels.
  C 996.11 GUI 2005 (Level: MP-LS)
• Jones, Carol; Trudgeon, Margaret (ed) 2001, Fiji, (Souvenirs of the South Pacific), Macmillan Education, South Yarra, Vic.
  Hardcover, 32 p.
  This colourful 'scrapbook' contains items about the life and culture of the Fijians as well as the geography, history, plants and animals of this island nation. A useful resource for study in the Culture and Identity strand. Each book in this series reads like a child's scrapbook showcasing material gathered during a visit to a Pacific nation. Postcards, letters from a local friend, brochures, information taken from library sources collected during the visit have been organized into six chapters. The attractive presentation invites the reader to browse initially and may then engage the reader to delve further.
  Information seems a little disjointed in this format although this approach does allow interesting, informal observations to be made about perceived national characteristics and sporting achievements. Acknowledging modern personalities of the arts and sporting arena adds a contemporary flavour. A local legend is retold. The tourist's 'snapshots', each briefly captioned, effectively illustrate the text. Captions require proof reading. Coloured notes attached throughout act as quick fact boxes. Amongst these are some useful words translated into the local language. Words in bold print are defined in the glossary. The contents and index pages are both user friendly. Maps of the region and the country are included as is a picture of the flag. A 'list of milestones' is too cramped for easy reference. A list of relevant websites makes a useful inclusion.
  C 996.11 JON 2001 (Level: MP-LS)
• Pluckrose, Henry 2001, Japan, (Picture a country), Watts, London.
  Hardcover, 30 p.
  This accurate and simple information book locates Japan on a section of a world map, describes Japanese landscape, Japanese people and where they live, Tokyo - Japan's capital city, Japanese factories, rice farming, traditions of culture, Japanese food, recreational activities, Japanese temples and what you might expect to see if you were to visit Japan.
  This series provides a snapshot of everyday life in various countries. Use for comparison of similarities and differences of people in different countries in terms of houses they build, clothes they wear, food they eat, transport they use and family life and for discussing elements of everyday life that are common to all races. Each title includes a map of the country featured showing major cities, geographical features and places mentioned and pictured. The simple text is well spaced with headings and is well supported by quality photographs suitable for the target audience. This would be an excellent non-fiction book to include in reading group activities.
  C 952 PLU 2001 (Level: LP-MP)
• Guile, Melanie 2002, Culture in Japan, (Culture in -), Heinemann Library, Port Melbourne, Vic.
  Hardcover, 32 p.
  After introducing the culture in Japan, this text provides further information on Japan's: performing arts, traditions and customs, Ainu culture, fashion, food, film and television, books, magazines, comics, kids' culture, arts and crafts.
  Would be an excellent resource for addressing concepts in the 'Culture and Identity' strand of Studies of Society and Environment. Attractive and glossy, captioned photographs and consistent text layout and design enhance the appeal, and the target audience is easily discernible. Words found in the glossary are highlighted in the text. An index, contents page and further information page are included. A map segment and a paragraph on the concept of culture are included in each introduction. Fact boxes highlight interesting information.
  C 952 GUI 2002 (Level: MP-UP)

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Australia's traditional rugby rivals: England, New Zealand, South Africa

• Grieve, David; Bakokodie, Bridget; Nixon, Helen; Austin, Sarah 1999, Planet Britain 2000 [electronic resource], Foreign & Commonwealth Office, London.
  1 CD-ROM: sd., col. + leaflet.
  The CD-ROM promotes Britain through videos, graphics and text in: Street culture, Arts, design and media, Science and technology, Sport, Business, Studying, Music, and Millennium. The CD-ROM links to the Web site of the same name. The disc, a slick, beautifully-produced example of current technology, is also an excellent promotion of Britain. The content is brief and concise, enough to whet the appetite of anyone interested in things British, but not enough to satisfy research needs. The text and videos are at pains to point up the contribution of Britain in all the fields covered, even the sports which originated there. The website extends this information, although it is still basically promotional. The CD-ROM could be used, with the website, to introduce Britain to older students and also as an example of computer-video production for students of Computer studies.
  SW 941 PLA IBM 1999 (Level: MP-US)
• Guile, Melanie 2002, Culture in New Zealand, (Culture in -), Heinemann Library, Port Melbourne, Vic.
  Hardcover, 32 p.
  After introducing the culture in New Zealand, the text provides further information on New Zealand's: performing arts, Maori Arts, fashion, food, film and television, books, the role of women, arts and crafts. An excellent resource for addressing concepts in the 'Culture and Identity' strand of Studies of Society and Environment. Attractive and glossy, captioned photographs and consistent text layout and design enhance the appeal of this title, and the target audience is easily discernible. Words found in the glossary are highlighted in the text. An index, contents page and further information page are included. A map segment and a paragraph on the concept of culture are included in the introduction. Fact boxes highlight interesting information.
  C 993 GUI 2002 (Level: MP-UP)
• Jones, Carol; Trudgeon, Margaret 2001, New Zealand, (Souvenirs of the South Pacific), Macmillan Education, South Yarra, Vic.
  Hardcover, 32 p.
  Many facets of New Zealand are outlined, including its fascinating geology and geography, primary industries, Maori culture, plants and animals, education and history. The text contradicts itself by quoting Maori population as a proportion of the whole variously as 10% and 15%. Useful for study of Culture and Identity. Each book in this series reads like a child's scrapbook showcasing material gathered during a visit to a Pacific nation. Postcards, letters from a local friend, brochures, information taken from library sources etc. collected during the visit have been organized into six chapters. The attractive presentation invites the reader to browse initially and may then engage the reader to delve further. Information seems a little disjointed in this format although this approach does allow interesting, informal observations to be made about perceived national characteristics and sporting achievements. Acknowledging modern personalities of the arts and sporting arena adds a contemporary flavour. A local legend is retold. The tourist's 'snapshots' each briefly captioned effectively illustrate the text. Coloured notes attached throughout act as quick fact boxes. Amongst these are some useful words translated into the local language. Words in bold print are defined in the glossary. The contents and index page are both user friendly. Maps of the region and the country are included as is a picture of the flag. A list of relevant websites makes a useful inclusion.
  C 993 JON 2001 (Level: MP-LS)
• Costain, Meredith; Collins, Paul 2000, Welcome to South Africa, (Macmillan countries), Macmillan Library, South Yarra, Vic.
  Hardcover, 32 p.
  This book takes a look at all aspects of life and physical features of contemporary South Africa. Reference is made to the effects of apartheid and its legacy. As such may be useful in considering access to power under Systems Resources and Power strand as well as Culture and Identity.
  The books in this series are introduced by a young child who begins by telling the reader something about his family life in a local village or township. The sixteen chapters proceed to inform the reader about the broader aspects of their country. The fact that the child portrayed in the introduction appears to be about seven years old belies the fact that the volume and complexity of information provided is more accessible to older students. Certainly the ample photographs carry extensive captions and will provide any student who picks up one of these attractive books with a lively sense of the country and its culture. Common phrase and number translations are presented on the inside covers of the book although no guide to pronunciation is given. The 'make and do' activity would appeal to younger students and a local recipe is also included. Small charts provide fast facts on climate and festivals. A full-page grid provides a quick find fact file. Words in bold are defined in the glossary. The contents page and index are clearly presented.
  C 968 COS 2000 (Level: MP-UP)

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Rugby fiction

• Caisley, Raewyn 2005, In union, Lothian, South Melbourne, Vic.
  Paperback, 143 p.
  An avid spectator of rugby union, Christian decides to become a participant and tries out for the junior team. The message is about the importance of working together as a team. Many references to contemporary players and popular culture may appeal to reluctant readers. Despite the initial and final chapters being action driven and engaging, much of the text describes the thrill of a live game, the apprehension and anticipation before a game, and the camaraderie and competition between the players. The text is loaded with the kinds of idioms one might expect to hear from a sports commentator. This may confuse less able readers. Although his own situation breaks with the cliché of a sports nut – Christian and his parents are generally involved in creative pursuits – he tends to stereotype members of the rugby nations. Includes a comprehensive glossary that helps to explain the game.
  F CAI 2005 (Level: UP-LS)

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