Maurice Saxby & National Year of Reading

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 – Chris Cheng, Libby Hathorn and me.

A national year of Reading event 

It was a wonderful evening in Sydney’s heritage Mitchell Library.

Tashi’s Kim Gamble and Anna Feinberg delight Children’s Book Council

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 – sorry for my pathetic joke.

Jan Latta is back from yet another adventure crossing the globe taking wildlife photos for her Real life series of books – she’s off to China in February of course.

Jill Bruce was interviewed by Laurine Croasdale about her role as NSW judge of the CBC awards.

Jenny hale, Kate Forsyth, Lindy Batchelor, Jill Bruce, Serena Geddes, Aleesah Darlinson  … and lots of other authors and illustrators there.

So many success stories.

Wendy Fitzgerald is the new President of the CBCA Northern Branch Sydney

Children’s Book Council, Lady Cutler Award, Margaret Wild & a Mothers’ Offering

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 importance of recognising those who contribute to children’s literature.

In 2011 Edward Coffey Chairman of  Peribo www.peribo.com.au has become the new sponsor.

Kate Forsyth and Belinda Murrell award winning fantasy authors spoke about their great-great-great-great mother who wrote the first Australian book ‘A Mother’s Offering’

National Year of Reading 2012, Susanne Gervay Ambassador for National Year of Reading 2012, www.love2read.org.au

Sue Walker, Oliver Phommavanh, Libby Hathorn join Susanne Gervay to Celebrate CBCA Book Week

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 illustrator.

Governor of NSW ~Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir at CBCA dinner

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 Council, the CBCA Foundation and a leading literary figure in Australia welcomed the Governor.

It was a wonderful evening of fine food, the company of authors and the children’s literary community.

Some of the authors included J.C. Burke, Christopher Cheng, Sue Whiting, Mary Small, Jill Bruce, Margaret Roc joining the President of the CBCA NSW and supporters to discuss books, listen to an address by Jill Bruce the new judge of the CBCA Awards and Wendy Smith the outgoing judge.

Fabulous night with everyone lingering on to share good company, food and celebrate children’s books.

Support Children’s Book Council Australia Cards for Queensland Floods

 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 Grantford