Nim's Island

movieswithbiology: Nim's Island

2009-06-28T00:33:00.000-07:00

I'm always interested in hearing about ways that people are incorporating Nim's Island into school work (whether it's from the book or the movie.) eg:

I love Nim's Island, there are 2 parts that I think would be quick and easy to integrate into lecture.

Bioluminescence - scene with Jack/Dad discovering Protozoa nim
Protists - view into microscope talk of nanoprotists, even mentions the amount of protists/L of water.

movieswithbiology: Nim's Island

Reading Challenge!

2009-03-21T23:25:00.001-07:00

"The All-Delta Reading Link Challenge was held at George Mackie Library on Thursday, March 12.

Squaring off for the right to represent Delta in the Fraser Valley Regional Library's (FVRL) Grand Challenge were Heath Elementary's Majestic Bookworms, South Park’s Book Demons and Delta Manor’s Purple-spotted Ducks.

The winner of the competition was South Park’s Book Demons.

This year’s selection of books included Looking for Bapu by Anjali Banerjee, Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville, Escaping the Giant Wave by Peg Kehret, Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan, Nim’s Island by Wendy Orr, and Run by Eric Walters."

Congratulations to all these fabulous readers!

to read the rest of the article:
Surrey Leader - Book Demons win Delta reading challenge:

Brenton's interview

2009-03-18T17:08:00.000-07:00

Brenton Cullen, a young writer, has sent me his interview to post. Great job, Brenton!

Nim’s Island: not the film, but the book!

By Brenton Cullen

The award-winning family film, Nim’s Island (2008), has dazzled and wowed audiences. But the person probably most wowed by the film, is Australian author, Wendy Orr. She is the woman who wrote the original book, Nim’s Island (Allen and Unwin, 1999), of which the film was based on.
On a Wednesday evening, I phoned Wendy Orr and we had a nice discussion about her, her writing, and the success of Nim’s Island. Wendy has a lovely voice, and with a Canadian accent, her words are perfectly clear and easy to understand.
Wendy’s love of reading came from her parents, who read her books constantly in her early childhood years. She has always had a passion for writing books, and she credits this to all the stories she has read. She enjoys writing immensely, and likes it because she says that reading stories helped, but she wanted to find out the ending and whether or not it was going to be quite suspenseful. So she started writing , just so she could write these stories and be able to find out the endings herself because she would be writing them.
When asked if she thinks her career has picked since the success of Nim’s Island, she answers that she thinks Nim’s Island, the book, has sold more copies, with a reprint available 2008 with the cover of the film on the front. But her 1990’s Young Adult book, Peeling the Onion, based on a true event that occurred in her life, has sold the most copies in Australia.
The stars of the Nim’s Island film, Jodie Foster and Abigail Breslin, were delighted to have been working on the film. Wendy says that Jodie Foster’s son had not particularly liked reading until he picked up a cop of Nim’s Island to read for a summer reading course. This was before the film of Nim’s Island had been considered. Wendy says that this was Jodie Foster’s son’s breakaway to reading, and she feels that this is very special.
Wendy thinks that Abigail Breslin had read the book while filming Nim’s Island.
I asked Wendy if the characters in the book Nim’s Island were parts of her or inspired by real people in her life. She says Alex Rover, the reclusive adventure author, does have parts of Wendy herself in her, but exaggerated a bit. Wendy says that she does indeed work in the same way as Alex, getting research from the Internet and atlases and encyclopaedias. But she does not think she has ever had an email from a 11 year old girl deserted on an island!
Wendy had a bit of involvement in the film of Nim’s Island. She is happy to report that she was a consultant on the screenplay of the film, and also helped with the work on the first two drafts of the film’s screenplay. She did this work with the producer and original screenwriter of the film, Paula Mazur.
A typical writing day for Wendy Orr is flicking on her computer and answering all her emails, at around 8 am. At 10 am, she starts to do the proper writing of her upcoming books (a series of stories set in an animal shelter, and another adventure novel for preteens, currently titled Raven’s Peak ).Halfway through the day she’ll stop for some lunch, and then take her dog for a walk. Then back to the computer until 6 pm, until she stops for a bit longer to have some exercise and walk the dog again. Wendy is also very lucky to say that her book, Paradise Palace, for children, is being turned into a television series, and also her adult novel, The House at Evelyn’s Pond, is being pitched for a film as well. And Nim At Sea, the 2007 sequel to Nim’s Island is currently being discussed about also being turned into a film.
As for a third story about our beloved Nim Rusoe, Wendy says she has part of a story idea in her head, but is busy with other projects, so she may write another book, but not for a little while. ‘But I am still working on an idea,’; she says.
Pure magic.

Written by Brenton Cullen © 2009

Nim's Island really does make you feel good!

2009-02-21T02:36:00.000-08:00

Apparently watching Nim's Island will make you more likely to be helpful to a stranger!

Miller-McCune | Article | Depicted Violence Desensitives Viewers to Real Violence

Hundreds flock to sunset screening - Star News Group

2009-02-05T02:38:00.000-08:00

How nice to see that so many people celebrated Australia Day by watching Nim's Island!

HUNDREDS of people watched the sun set on Australia Day at the 6th Tooradin Sunset Cinema.

Branch co-ordinator of the Balla Balla Lions Club Peter Martin said more than 400 people brought their chairs and rugs to watch the movie ‘Nim’s Island’.

“It was a great night. There was a good crowd there throughout the night.”

Hundreds flock to sunset screening - Star News Group

Nim at Sea for Germany

2009-02-02T15:16:00.001-08:00

I'm delighted to announce that Nim at Sea will also be coming out in Germany.

Nim's Island socks!

2009-01-26T00:41:00.000-08:00

I just spotted these very fun socks that someone's been knitting - and I love that she named them for Nim!

Wierd Science_Healthy Eating_health Advice at oxadox.com

Movieguide Best Family Film Award

2009-01-25T00:25:00.000-08:00

What a thrill to hear that Nim's Island has been nominated for the "Best Movie for Family Audiences" at the upcoming MOVIEGUIDE Awards on February 11th!

I see that Nemo won it a few years ago, so we're in good company – I've got fingers crossed, though whatever happens, it's always very nice to simply be recognized with a nomination.

Facebook | Your Photos - Nim at Sea covers

2009-01-04T17:59:00.000-08:00

Facebook | Your Photos - Nim at Sea covers

Here are the first editions of Nim at Sea: Australia; USA, Poland, UK, and the Catalan language edition from Spain. I'll add the rest as the books arrive.

Facebook | Your Photos - Nim's Island Covers

2009-01-04T16:26:00.000-08:00

Here are all the Nim's Island covers to date - or at least to date as far as the ones I've received: there are still quite a few to come, and I'm not sure whether they haven't been published yet, or if the publishers just haven't sent out the author copies yet.

Facebook | Your Photos - Nim's Island Covers

I was hoping I could insert the whole display here, but I don't seem to be able to.

Chattanooga Times Free Press | Reel picks & pans

2009-01-01T15:41:00.000-08:00

always nice to read things like this...

"BEST FAMILY MOVIE

Holly: “Nim’s Island” — Little Miss Sunshine’s still got spunk. In her trifecta of movies this year (“Definitely, Maybe,” “Nim’s Island” and “Kit Kittredge”), Abigail Breslin pulled out her strongest performance as Nim, in this imaginative family adventure movie."

Chattanooga Times Free Press | Reel picks & pans:

GuelphMercury.com - arts - Kids' stuff

2008-12-31T23:13:00.000-08:00

Or this one: Free Flicks Nim's Island, 1:30 p.m.; free; Kitchener Public Library, 85 Queen St. N., Kitchener;

And since it's in a library, it might even encourage kids to read the book as well!

519-743-0271."GuelphMercury.com - arts - Kids' stuff: "Sunday, Jan. 4

Nim's Moonlight Cinema

2008-12-31T18:57:00.000-08:00

I love hearing about events like this:

Families can celebrate at Maryborough's Portside and Seafront Oval in Hervey Bay.

Moonlight movie Nim's Island, rated PG, will light up both towns along with rides, food stalls and early fireworks.

How and where you can ring in new year | Family Fun | Fraser Coast Chronicle

Nim's Island in Turkey

2008-12-08T22:59:00.000-08:00

The Turkish edition of Nim's Island has just arrived - I always love seeing the new cover and have fun trying to work out the words in the title and first sentence of a new-to-me language. Every edition is slightly different - it's not just the language and cover,it's whether it's hard or soft cover, the size of the book, the font, and even the paper.

And sometimes they include an author photo; the Turkish edition has a nice touch, with a picture of Kerry Millard, the illustrator, as well.

But there was one just one little surprise... I've apparently had a radical make-over, and look surprisingly like Paula Mazur, the film producer. I guess it's one of those things that happens with good friends - over time, you tend to merge...

missing messages

2008-12-06T18:57:00.000-08:00

I've just discovered that most of my emails have been blocked from November 23 till today. (I wondered why I was getting so few!) So, if you've emailed me, or posted a comment here that hasn't been accepted, please try again. I try to answer all my emails within a week, so if I've ignored you, there's a good chance it's because I didn't get your message.

Green Family Movie Night | Peachy Green

2008-11-29T21:59:00.000-08:00

I love seeing how innovative some parents are. This family used the Nim's Island dvd to have a 'green family movie night.'

"My girls are more than enthusiastic when it comes to caring for our planet. They actively recycle, (my oldest watches over everyone to be sure they are doing what they should) and they get excited when they spot solar panels on traffic signs or charging the small info stations at the local zoo.

The movie Nim’s Island brought similar excitement home to our family room. We purchased the DVD for the promise of funny animals and adventure and discovered it to be a perfect film for a green family movie night!

Never hosted a green family movie night? Neither had I until this movie came along! Family nights are important for so many reasons. Basing your family night activities around caring for the planet adds a whole new layer to the fun and has many possibilities regardless of your children’s age.

My daughter screamed at the TV when she spotted wind turbines and solar panels in the movie Nim’s Island. Yeah, we get just a little excited over these things at out our house, but the movie brought up a lot of questions for my young daughter. We were amazed when 11-year-old Nim repaired their solar panels after a storm and how Nim’s dad used a wind turbine on his boat to power up his laptop! It’s a great way for kids to see solar power and wind energy in use and all around great entertainment!"

to read more:
Green Family Movie Night | Peachy Green

a dad's review

2008-11-18T14:48:00.000-08:00

My google alert picked up this review, at the end of a market report on precious metals. Hey, Nim's precious to me, so it makes sense!

Precious Metals and my daily observations: "Yesterday I watched a very good movie with my daughter, Nim’s Island. To me a good movie is one that can move your soul. At one scene my daughter turned to me and said “Daddy, the tear is still running down your cheek.” If you don’t cry at a scene when an 11 year old girl comes to the belief that her father was lost at sea, I believe you have to go searching for your soul. But it wasn’t just sad and it had a happy ending. It is a movie you can watch with anyone, two thumbs up!"

great picture, shame about the place

2008-09-28T01:33:00.000-07:00

I got a real kick out of seeing this very amusing mom's blog, with a 4 year old's drawing of Nim's Island - great picture, it's just unfortunate it was on a living room wall! I didn't think I better put it up on the website's reader page in case it sparked a rash of decorated walls, but couldn't resist here:

To read the blog:
Move Along, Nothing To See Here � MotherMe

Did I like the Nim's island film?

2008-09-13T01:05:00.000-07:00

I keep being asked if I liked the Nim's Island film, and so even though I thought I'd expressed my excitement about it all, I thought it was time to say:
Yes!

I loved the film. The first time I saw it I was too excited and tense about whether or not I'd like it, to even be able to follow it properly, but I still felt that I liked it, and that it worked. I've now seen it 8 times, and it was only the last time that I didn't cry when Nim did.

Are there things I would have done differently? A couple of small details - but I notice that audiences love them. The author isn't always the best person to decide on what works in a film!

And are there changes I liked? Alex's journey to the island, with the helicopter and cruise ship before the small boat,works much better on film. The book's version of her being let off off the cruise ship on her sailing dinghy, would have been quite anti-climactic.

And the one I wish I'd thought of? The zip line! It's so useful, so organic to the island - and so much something that Jack would have invented.

As readers know, in the book, we don't see Alexandra Rover talking to her hero. But it makes absolute sense to me - it's what writers do. We're the kids who never lost our imaginary friends when we grew up.

Most importantly, the total effect is what matters. To me, the plot changes seem slight, because they're logical. What I see is my story brought to life; the characters as I've imagined them, and the essence that I was searching for when I began to write this book.

Blogger Book Club, Youth Services, Roselle Public Library, Roselle, Illinois

2008-08-15T21:03:00.000-07:00

What a great idea - a book club on a blog!

Nim's Island, written by Wendy Orr, is delightful! A young girl lives on an island with her father, Jack, who is a scientist. Nim's mother disappeared many years before in the stomach of a whale, who's stomach contents she had gone to investigate (not a very appealing experiment, if you ask me). Nim and Jack live an idyllic existence on their island, their main communication with civilization being email through Jack's solar powered computer. Her friends are Fred, a marine iguana, and Silkie, a sea lion. All is well until Jack goes on an expedition to study plankton, and gets lost in a storm.

To read the rest of the review and/or join the book club discussion, go to:

Blogger Book Club, Youth Services, Roselle Public Library, Roselle, Illinois

creating a picture book

2008-08-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

Lauren Stringer is the wonderful artist who is illustrating a new picture book that I wrote. I've loved her books since I first saw them, so it was a big thrill to be able to meet her in Minneapolis earlier this year, especially as we instantly felt that we'd been friends for years - what a shame we live so far apart!

Now I feel like it's a sneaky little thrill to peek in and see what she's doing on the book:

Studio-working on now

Nim's Island Behind the Scenes

2008-08-07T23:21:00.000-07:00

I'm guessing that this incredibly detailed description of the making of Nim's Island, comes from the special features on the dvd. It's got quotes from interviews with Paula Mazur, Jodie Foster, Abigail Breslin, Gerard Butler, Jennifer Flackett, Mark Levin, Katie Brock (animal trainer) Stuart Drysburgh, Barry Robson, and me. Don't think I left anyone out?

Nim's Island Trailer - Nim's Island Movie - Jodie Foster - Abigail Breslin

NIm's island Environmental Challenge Winner

2008-08-03T02:43:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Reed Elementary's 5th Grade, in Lexington NC for winning the Nim's Island Environmental Challenge.

I'm sorry I hadn't seen this report until today, especially as their project of planting native plants to attract native wildlife is something I feel very strongly about!

Read the full report at:
Walden Media | 2008 Press Releases | Walden Media

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast � Blog Archive � EarlyEmergingBeginningInterChapterMediateReaders

2008-07-26T18:51:00.000-07:00

I know Nim at Sea needs its own page, but the book pages on my website should be up soon, so this will have to do for now.

Here's a review from those wonderful bloggers at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.

In these further adventures of the fearless Nim, Selkie the sea lion is kidnapped and Nim eventually stows away (but not on purpose) on the cruise ship that took her, all for the goal of rescuing her beloved sea lion and bringing her adventure-writing friend, Alex, back to the island. After finally making it to New York City, she realizes she might be on an island but not one like any she’s ever experienced before.

Orr can keep writing these exciting fantasy tales as long as she’d like; I think children will keep lining up to read them. As School Library Journal wrote about the first Nim-adventure, “children will love this unshakable, strong female character and the zany things that happen to her. They’ll also enjoy the way adults seem to bungle everything.”

To read the whole review:

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast � Blog Archive � EarlyEmergingBeginningInterChapterMediateReaders

Nim's Island Free Unit Study

2008-07-26T16:21:00.000-07:00

This is a fantastic, very thorough teaching resource, with many links for further study. Huge thanks to Laura for preparing this, and allowing me to share it with readers.

Also congratulations - this won a People's Choice Award.

Nim's Island Free Unit Study