Michael Jackson, Philip Pullman and the ...

Celebrity is a curse, and absolute celebrity is something very few people are evil enough to deserve. from – Philip Pullman on Michael Jackson’s recent death 25th June 2009 I like being an author because I get the pleasure of readers engaging in my books, without the awful burden of FAME. As the Director of the 4th Kids and Young Adult Literature Festival I talk to creators, share story and have a great time with some of the world’s and Australia’s most admired writers. There are HUGELY famous authors speaking including Melina Marchetta, Garth Nix,...

My Clever Friends from Bright Buttons to...

  Ali’s created this wonderful board game for pre schoolers called BRIGHT BUTTONS. Funny and talented illustrator Gus Gordon is meeting his match with his talented wife Ali Gordon. BRIGHT BUTTONS is colourful, fun, educational and stocked in all the major stores from Toy World to Kmart to Toys R Us to Borders. CONGRATULATIONS ALI.   ROOM TO READ  bringing literacy to the world is launching in Sydney at the Kids and Young Adult Literature Festival at NSW Writers Centre, Rozelle in Sydney on Saturday 4th July at 5 p.m. COME along to the launch. Meet authors and...

I AM JACK goes to Newcastle...

What has:-  David Miller’s art work for ‘Lofty’s Mission’ by Krista Bell;  Wallsend, Plattsburg, Eleebana,Carrington Public Schools; St Josephs Primary The Junction, Belmont Christian College, Our Lady of Loudes Tarro;  media reaching all over the region about I AM JACK   ….  in common? Lofty’s Mission artwork by David Miller, written by Krista Bell It’s the dynamic team at Newcastle Region Library. I was the guest of the Library.    What a fantastic experience speaking to hundreds of kids and teachers, to Carol...

Young Song Writers Reach into Life...

Gilbert Whyte singer songwriter, acoustic, fingerpicking guitar style   Escaping into the Royal Hotel on a wet and windy night, we lucked in with the acoustic sounds of Gilbert Whyte’s guitar and lyrical ballards.  It’s worth listening to Gilbert’s myspace to hear songs that touch you, leaving you thinking about family,  relationships and your place in the world.  www.myspace.com/gilbertwhyte Gilbert Whyte and George Katralis new song writers George Katralis was next, a song writer who’s different to Gilbert – more rocky. His songs about...

BUTTERFLIES – 'best seller�...

  Butterflies has now been published by Gramedia in Indonesia in Bahasa. Ria Radjahaba designed the Indonesian cover. It’s so different to the Australian cover, but  beautiful in its own way. It feels so S.E.Asian with its bright colours and its delicate shadow puppet feel. I love it.   Butterflies has just won the New York Book Fair Award for Teenage Fiction...

Travel Writers, The Hughenden, Bistro Mo...

Australian Travel Writers are witty, funny, love their good wines & food and have many stories to tell. They were in Sydney for the BIG event – The Trivia Night. The brilliant team were staying at The Hughenden WON the trivia night. Drinks in front of the fires on a cold winter day at The Hughenden were warm, fuzzy, hilarious – the Travel Writer team were dressed as ‘South of the Boarder’  - all wearing bright multi coloured  sombreros. Melanie Ball who’s the adventure travel writer brought them. Yeah to Melanie. Sandy Guy, Andrew...

Geraldton Primary School Western Austral...

A pile of ‘love’ letters for ‘I Am Jack’ arrived from the kids of Geraldton Primary School. Thanks to the great teacher Mr Offer and the kids    The kids are reading ‘I Am Jack’ with their great teacher Mr Offer. Well, I’d like to OFFER him my thanks for introducing I Am Jack to his class. Loved Tyler’s...

Browne Named Children's Laureate in...

    Anthony Browne has been just appointed the sixth Children’s Laureate in the U.K. He won the 2000 Hans Christian Andersen Medal and is only the second illustrator chosen as Children’s Laureate. Browne’s picture books include his much loved great ape characters. Gorilla and Willy the Wimp. Anthony was funny, warm and honest at the Hughenden dinner. His ape characters are inspired by his father. The Hughenden was his last stop on his Australian tour, but he decided not to go to Darwin as he wanted to get back to his family and home in the UK. He was...

Society of Women Writers, Tania Hayes�...

Had a great day with the Society of Women Writers where I gave a workshop to enthusiastic writers.  Susanne and the smart, creative SWW writers I had lunch with Tania Hayes and her husband Warren Hayes. Tania spoke about their book ‘Love has no limits’. Warren had a massive brain tumour which left him disabled. The book is the emotionally powerful story of Tania being there beside Warren. ‘I proudly endorse this book – it is truly an inspiration … a testament to the healing power of love.’ Karl Stefanovic The Today Show Channel 9....

Sue Whiting, Sarah Davis & the Dance...

STICKY - the lolly shop at the Rocks was twirling spun sugar while fairies  flapped their wings & BIG fairies author Sue Whiting & illustrator Sarah Davis were dancing around to celebrate their brilliant new picture book -Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Sugar plums at launch of Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy    Narrated by Antonia Kidman - read the book – listen to the CD – & discover the music of  Tchaikovsky       It was great fun and lots of other kids authors came along to celebrate like Jeni Mawter, Sue Murray, Chris Cheng, Jenny...