New York, Today Show USA,SCBWI dinner...

New York is a surprise. Walked around the corner and ended up in the audience of the Today Show. The hosts Matt Lauer and Ann Curry were warm and funny, speaking to the crowds while we waved. I waved. Yes, I’m corny. Did the New York things like the Statue of Liberty, harbour cruise, shopping at Macy’s with Tory. Well, she deserves it after giving me her songs for our book ‘That’s Why I Wrote This Song’. Had dinner in the University area of Union Square with SCBWI authors Vicky Shiefman, Seta Toroyan, Nancy Lewis and Nancy Castaldo. They...

Borders, Barnes & Noble and New York...

New York is a whirlwind with all the publishers, theatres, restaurants and people everywhere. Times Square is party time all the time. Borders and Barnes & Noble have brilliant Teen sections. The standard of YA books is very high and well displayed. They have a YA section that adults go to as well as teens. Checked out the Australian authors and found – Markus Zusak, Randa Abdul Fattah, Catherine Jinks all face out. Exciting news was to see Mark Greenwood and Frane Lessac’s picture book. Saw Frane’s New York, New York – displayed at the...

Kimberly Dozier Correspondent CBC News a...

Kimberly Dozier  deeply moved the nearly 1000 delegates to the World Burn Conference as she spoke about the years of surgery and painful procedures to recover from severe burns in Iraq as she was travelling with the CBC News team. She’s inspiring.  Tammie and I chatted. Tammie’s from the Community Tissue Services calling for tissue donations for transplants as it saves lives. I feel privileged to be part of this remarkable Conference hosted by Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Firefighters Burn Centre Foundation, NewYork-Presbyterian The University...

Susanne's 'Butterflies' a...

I’ve already met amazing people who see burns as a challenge but not one that takes over their lives. Good humour and courage rings through the hotel in Times Square. Tomorrow I speak at the conference about the power of BUTTERFLIES to heal, empower young readers and families to meet the challenge of burns and seek to be everything they can be. Saw several publishers about BUTTERFLIES being published in the USA and there is lots of enthusiasm. They’re impressed that BUTTERFLIES has had heaps of reprints, won international prizes and is recognised as Outstanding...

Sarah Davis' Mending Lucille Wins b...

The first time I met Sarah at the SCBWI Conference and saw her work I was drawn into her complex emotional and creative life. Her art is sensitive and thoughtful like her. I knew she’d be one of those special illustrators and the Children’s Book Council has acknowledged it by giving her this prestigious award. I love the CBCA recognition. She deserves it on many levels. Her generosity to SCBWI and to everyone, when she has her own work and family demands is typical of Sarah. Sarah gave me one of the illustrations from Mending Lucille. It’s so beautiful...

SCBWI INDIANA HOPE CARD to the Kids of t...

Sharon Vargo www.sharonvargo.com - her joyous illustrations of children and stars and hope light up the page sent to the children and families of the Australian bushfires. Kristi Valiant’s endearing card where the the little boy from Indiana embraces the Australian koala. The card sent from Indiana organised by head of the SCBWI Indiana chapter Trish Batey has lovely messages from the authors of Indiana to the survivors of the Australian fires. With thanks to the authors and illustrators of SCBWI...

David Weisner and last Goodbye from LA S...

As I fly away from LA, I was sad to leave good friends and the brilliance of some of the world’s great creators. David Weisner whose illustrations are in the school of Shan Tan, with worlds within worlds in his illustration shared dinner with me. He is such an original thinker, like Shan Tan, where his drawings take him into philosophy, relationships, the great issues of life. He’s talking with Shan at a US conference next month. They’ll have a lot to talk about. Can’t wait for the USA edition of I AM JACK to come out – here’s Cathy...

SCBWI Hope Card from Margery Gardner Vic...

Margery illustrates with  colour and joy. She created this vibrant painting for the kids of the Victorian bush fires 2009 with love from the authors and illustrators of country Victoria. Authors Corinne Fenton who heads the regional branch of Victoria SCBWI and assistant Claire Saxby organised the card and the authors words – because the kids authors and illustrators care. With thanks –...

Thankyou Lin Oliver and Steve Mooser for...

The Conference ended and I was exhausted, exhilerated and sad to leave a conference that was stimulating, dynamic, offered so much information and so many friends.  Loved every minute – thankyou so much to Lin Oliver and Steve Mooser for the conference, friendship, the hospitality at their homes and taking Youth Literature to the world. Ellen Hopkins and a crowd of authors are coming to The Hughenden in Sydney to party next year....

HOPE CARD From MEXICO with LOVE to OZ KI...

Rubi Juarez is vibrant, warm, exotic and the spirit of Mexico. She sent the heart of Mexico with the colourful illustration of Aztec culture, sun. cactus surrounded by the words of hope, child, faith. Organised by author Judy Goldman who just has her new picture book out published by Boyd Mills. Thankyou...