Maurice Saxby & National Year of Re...

Authors, illustrators, librarians, publishers …. so many people gathered to celebrate Maurice Saxby’s contribution to children’s literature. Professor Robyn Ewing gave the keynote:- ‘Story is at the centre of what we do – imagine.’ ‘A creative work remains permanently unfinished.’ Shaun Tan. Children’s literature promotes creativity, imagination and exploration.  The inaugural Maurice Saxby lecture was the brainchild of Libby Gleeson, an Ambassador for the National Year of Reading. She was joined by other ambassadors...

Tashi’s Kim Gamble and Anna Feinbe...

The Northern branch of the Children’s Book Council is so joyous with lots of authors, librarians, readers at the Christmas. The brilliant illustrator Kim Gamble created a Tashi artwork while Anna Feinberg read out their newest Tashi to be published next year. Sarah Davis’  ’Sounds Spooky’ is zooming ahead with major sales. Karen Robertson has won the top position for her apps – Treasure Kai. Oliver Phommavanh has two new books coming out with Penguin in 2012. Wendy Blaxland’s Cooking series with MacMillan is cooking up a storm –...

Children’s Book Council, Lady Cutl...

Margaret Wild is a leading Australian children’s author. She has more than 70 picture books  with so many awards that I’ve lost count. The adaptation of her brilliant multi award winning  picture book FOX illustrated by Ron Brooks and adapated into an opera by Monkey Baa Theatre www.monkeybaa.com.au was one of the great experiences of theatre. The Lady Cutler Award gift of an illustration by the beautiful illustrator Julie Vivas will be deeply loved. Edward Coffey who established the Lady Cutler Award which was sponsored by Hodder Publishers spoke about the...

Sue Walker, Oliver Phommavanh, Libby Hat...

Heaps of kids and parents piled into Punchbowl Public School’s Library for the CBCA Book Event. Authors Libby Hathorn, Oliver Phommavanh, Sue Walker and I spoke to enthusiastic kids about our books, hosted by the school librarian Trevor Neville who is an...

Governor of NSW ~Her Excellency Professo...

Wandering through the Reading Room exhibiting children’s illustrations  by wonderful artists such as Cathy Wilcox, Sarah Davis, Shaun Tan, Donna Rawlings, Nina Rycroft, the Children’s Book Council gathered in the warm candle-lit sun lounge of The Hughenden. Everyone was waiting for Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, Governor of NSW and patron of the Children’s Book Council. Carol Keeble Pesident of the CBCA (NSW), Maurice Saxby a father of Australian children’s literature and Margaret Hamilton  former President of the Children’s Book...

Support Children’s Book Council Au...

 An easy way to support the victims of the Queensland floods is by buying a $10 pack of 10 gift cards from the Children’s Book Council Australia Queensland. http://qld.cbca.org.au/qldfundraiser.htm SCBWI Australia supports the CBCA Queensland cards. Other illustrators in the collection are Peter Taylor, Lachlan Creogh, Suzy Boyer, Matt Ottley, Jacqui...

MasterClass at Martime National Museum S...

Thankyou Jane Taylor from the Children’s Book Council Australia who organised in partnership with the Australian National Maritime Museum, a fantastic creative writing experience. Authors Anthony Eaton and Jaclyn Moriaty, RandomHouse publisher Linsay Knight and I had the best day at Darling Harbour. The master class was packed with a waiting list, as teens from all over Sydney came to share creativity. Highlight was climbing on board Captain Cook’s ship – the Endeavour – and seeing the cabins of Botanist Joseph Banks, artists (who died on the...

Queen Victoria’s Underpants Launch...

Women didn’t wear underpants   until Queen Victoria  came along.   How can you live without underpants? Rude, Rude, Rude!!!!!!!!!!          At Jackie French & Bruce Whately’s launch of  ‘Queen Victoria’s Underpants’  at the CBCA Conference, the Queen herself announced that she’s now wearing UNDERPANTS ……………… .  & so does everyone else now. Phew. It was a fabulous launch with lots of authors, illustrators, librarians and everyone and even me there.  Jackie spoke...

Love the Community of Kids Authors &...

What do I Love? * Meeting authors and illustrators from all over Australia * Catching up with the fabulous WA crowd – from the CBCA as well as authors/illustrators   (Hi Jan Nicolls President of CBCA WA who sure can karaoke & Rottnest memories – inside info)     *Listening to powerful talks by Melina Marchetta, Shan Tan, Libby Gleeson, Margaret Wild and more … * Getting insight into manga with the passionate Paul MacDonald from Beecroft Books * Giving the ever young father of Australian kids’ literature Maurice Saxby a kiss – he may...

Children's Book Council Meets Autho...

Carol Keeble President of the CBC put on a delicious lunch – love her vegetarian lasagna – to invite authors to share ideas with the CBC.  Topics on the agenda included -’ Book Week, authors and illustrators joining the CBCA, festivals and the regional CBC branches. There was enthusiasm from the Sutherland Shire Branch and the Northern Beaches Branch of the CBC. There were huge congratulations to Kate Forsyth and Belinda Murrell for their Book Week initiative in 2009, where the author-illustrator afternoon teas at four schools were a huge success....