How fabulous is Regent Street -
heritage,
Carnaby Street,
toy land at Hamersleys to
the Olympic torch held by a para Olympian -
I waved my flag madly of course. The para Games have filled London with visitors and enthusiasm. I loved being in the crowd.
It brings back memories of writing ‘Butterflies’
- the courage and determination of those with disabilities and challenges to be .all they can be.
Love Paddington Bear and found him at Paddington Station of course. It’s the actual author’s stand.
Love Covent Gardens
- I didn’t see Eliza Dolittle
but enjoyed the busking, markets,
and having dinner with Frane Lessac and Mark Greenwood – Mark’s birthday – and shoes, shoes, shoes!
The farewell to the IBBY Congress after 4 days of talks, panels, elebration of children’s literature across the world
ended with the announcement that the next IBBY Congress is in Mexico City 2014.
Brilliant Peter Sis spoke and was signing endless picture books – in that Shaun Tan genre.
Great friends and some wonderful memories were made at the Congress.
Loved meeting the Indian IBBY members as I am so connected to India through the cross Indian-Australian anthologies – Alien Shores; Fear Factor Terror Incognito – which include stories by Sir Salman Rushdie, Thomas Keneally, Linda Jaivlin, David Malouf, Rosie Scott ….. and me as well.
Edited y Meenakshi and Sharon Rundle, they are important antholoies,
Imagine my surprise when one of the Indian contributers Deepa, who contributed to ‘Alien Shores’ (publisher Brass Mokey) was there.
p bright and early to walk the streets of Notting Hill, wander along Portobello Road, catch the set up of stalls, sit at one of the few cafes open so early.
The music is enticing. Open trucks with steelbands pump out music and thousands of young people are dancing, throwing flour, paint, some going insane and more.
Got bombed myself.
My hotel is in the heart of Notting hill and a steel band o rls is there from near the Scottish boarder. They’re playing in the steelband competition.
It is very, very wild as I head off to the Ibby Congress to hear the fabulous, fantastic Michael Rosen speak.
Michael is hilarious, satiric, giving a social commentary through his poetry – seeing the ludicrous nature of our behaviour and underlying it all, advocating for social justice. Am I a fan? Yes!!!!
It wasn’t hilarious getting back after the Congress to my hotel – 1000sof drunk, insane people wandering, congregating … wild.
.
Love being part of the Australian contingent.
Shaun Tan inspired a packed auditorium at Imperial College London.
Shan Tan is such a deep thinker but with lots of humour and self deprecation too. He accepts the frailties of life, observes, is in the malstrom of lifes he illustrates the human condition – its quirkiness, challenges, and that endless curiosity that drives us all.
Robin Morrow presenting on Bob Graham’s work which was great.
Loved Frane Lessac’s session with her colourful, celebratory picture books embracing all cultures.
Loved Mark Greenwood’s earthy, real work with indigenous communities in the West which he translates into significant historical picture books many illustrated by Frane Lessac.
In my own session on Ships in the Field,I explored how my personal story that translates to the universal story of an immigrant world seeking family, love and home.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS were but British academics Marjorie Couglan Editor of Paper Tigers respected e-journal and
Janet Evans Lecturer in Education Liverpool Hope University
both presented Australian Picture books including Arim Greder’s ‘Island; John Marsden’s and Matt Ottely’s ‘Home and Away’.
It was a special day.
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