Andy Griffiths is Australia's top-selling children's author. He has written some of the country's most loved children's books, including Just Crazy, the Day My Bum Went Psycho, the Schooling Around series and the Bad Book.

The Podkids had been reading some of Andy's books, so we contacted him to see whether he would be willing to take part in an interview. Andy kindly obliged, taking part in a telephone interview from his home state of Victoria.

Many thanks to Andy for sharing his time with our class and for the joy that his books bring to millions of children worldwide.

On ANZAC day (April 25), Australians remember the members of the armed forces who have sacrificed so much for our country.

In this episode, the Podkids talk about the ANZAC Day commemorations at Orange Grove Primary and interview several of the veterans who attended the service. Many thanks to Peter Hoare, Harry Rosielle and Kathleen Clift for being so generous with their time.

Thanks also to Jon Schmidt , Jakit Patrick and Rob Costlow for the podsafe music. Flag photo courtesy of James Cridland (creative commons).

The Podkids have been learning about the solar system this term. In this episode, you will learn about all eight planets in the solar system. You will also learn about dwarf planets such as Pluto and Ceres as well as some of the larger moons in our solar system.

Thanks to Derek K. Miller of Vancouver for the awesome music. Earthrise photo courtesy of NASA (used with permission).

If you enjoy the show, why not drop us an email at podkids@gmail.com. We just love hearing from our listeners!

Enjoy!

PS This is an enhanced podcast with chapter markers and title screens. If you are having difficulty playing the podcast, try downloading an MP3 version.

The Podkids have been learning about 'celebrations from around the world'. In this podcast episode (recorded live at a school assembly), the students talk about Australia Day, Guy Fawkes Day, Halloween, April Fools Day, the Melbourne Cup, Valentines Day and Easter. They even perform some live music. Enjoy!

In the special video podcast, the Podkids present the seven finalists from the Orange Grove animated film festival. These were premiered at a special red carpet event on 22 August 2008.

Having trouble viewing the video? Try the youtube version.

At the start of 2008, Orange Grove Primary School commenced a one-to-one laptop program for all students in Years 4 - 7. This podcast contains videos that the students produced reflecting on how their school lives have changed since receiving their very own laptop computers. The videos were shown to the school community at the official launch of the laptop program in March of this year. Enjoy!

(For educators who are interested in how the laptop program operates, Mr Fuller has posted details on his blog. You can also listen to Mr Fuller speak about the program on a Digital Chalkie webcast)

The Podkids have been learning all about carbon dioxide, the greenhouse effect and climate change. This episode is a recording of an assembly item that we presented to our school community in June 2008.

The music comes from Lanny Smith's Earthman project. Be sure to check it out at www.earthman.tv

Hope you enjoy the show!

As part of National Reading Day the Podkids have interviewed Western Australian author Elaine Forrestal. Elaine is the author of the novel Someone Like Me, which will be read by students all over Australia as part of National Reading Day. You can watch the interview by watching this month's special video podcast.

The Podkids have also set up an awesome website called 'A Place for Someone Like Me'. It includes chapter summaries, illustrations, a glossary and a place for people to discuss the book. Be sure to have a look at web.mac.com/nationalreadingday

Wednesday 5 September is National Reading Day, and our class is getting involved in a very special way!

The Podkids will be working with Elaine Forrestal, author of the award-winning book ‘Someone Like Me’ to produce book reports that will be read by students all around Australia.

Elaine’s novel has been selected as one of five books that will be read by students all over the country. Our class will be reading the book early and producing on-line chapter summaries that will be available for other students to read and comment on. Elaine herself will be viewing the site and responding to the children’s posts. On 31 August, Elaine will visit the classroom and be interviewed for a podcast that will be released as part of National Reading Day.

(Cover art used with permission)

The Podkids have scored their biggest media coup to date: An interview with the Hon Alan Carpenter MLA, Premier of Western Australia. Listen to Mr Carpenter answer the Podkids' tough questions and share his advice to the youth of today.

In this episode, you will also hear about our class trip to Jungle Gym, new teachers at Orange Grove Primary, white tigers and lots about outer space. Enjoy!