Darling Quarter Theatre~new home of Monk...

The Darling Quarter Theatre, opening on May 5, is part of Lend Lease’s new development at Darling Harbour, which includes two eight-storey office towers for the Commonwealth Bank and a giant children’s playground. The theatre is the only purpose-built performance space for children in Australia and the first major addition to Sydney’s arts infrastructure since Carriageworks, which opened in Redfern in 2007. The Sydney lord mayor, Clover Moore, said Monkey Baa was one of Australia’s flagship theatre companies and would be a great addition to...

Join SCBWI Australia & New Zealand ...

Writers and illustrators from around Australia and New Zealand are coming together with great Australian publishers and NSW Writers Centre Copyright Agency Limited CAL SCBWI leadership to celebrate the vibrant children’s book industry  in all its delivery ways – from print, illustration, picture books, e-books …. SCBWI Conference blogspot has been launched today – see what’s happening. http://scbwiaustnzconferenceblog2012.blogspot.com.au/   supporting Room to Read and National Year of...

Books in Homes~partners National Year of...

Thrilled that Books in Homes has partnered with The National Year of Reading As an Ambassador for the National Year of Reading and as a role model for Books in Homes, I love going out, giving young people beautiful books, addressing assemblies and celebrating reading. Find out more about Books in Homes – they take great books to kids in indigenous communities and disadvantaged schools. Love it and the kids and and communities love it too. It’s hands across our nation. Read and discover the world and be all you can...

TRUST ME & TRUST ME TOO ~ Isobelle ...

Trust Me Too has some of  the best of kids/teen stories from over 50 of Australia’s leading children’s authors and illustrators. Something for everyone - crime, adventure, romance, science fiction and fantasy, fiction, illustrations, poetry and graphics. Highlight in Trust Me Too:- Prequel to Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody, Writers ~Jack Heath, Oliver Phommavanh, James Roy, Gary Crew, Margaret Clark, Phil Kettle, Susanne Gervay, Deborah Abela, Michael Gerard Bauer  and more Poetry ~ Lorraine Marwood, Sofie Laguna and Michael Wagner Illustrations ~ Shaun...

Anh Do’s ‘The Little Refugee...

      Congratulations to Anh Do and Suzanne Do’s ‘The Little Refugee’ illustrated by Bruce Whately, short listed by the Children’s Book Council Australia. Shan Tan’s illustrative ‘narrative of migration and the immigrant world in ‘The Arrival’ CBCA  ‘Ships in the Field’ giving a voice to the children and families of refugees. Writing for an immigrant...

Author Wendy Blaxland at SCBWI The Hughe...

Wendy knows so much from the first idea to publication. Non fiction involves a lot of research which Wendy LOVES but which you need to be careful not to overwhelm you.  She’s one of our most successful non fiction children’s authors. Love her Cooking around the world series!! Great to see Wendy Fitzgerald there, President of the Northern branches of the Children’s Book Council. it’s going from strength to strength.  Great to see author Nathan Luff who has just been published in Germany there. Great to see Jan Latta, Andrea Edmonds, Mark Thomasonnd...

Supporting National Year of Reading 2012...

Love talking to the fantastic kids around Australia as an Ambassador of the National  Year of Reading, Ambassador for Room to Read and  as a...

Books in Homes: Auburn North Park Public...

650 gorgeous kids dropped their bags in the playground in Auburn North Park Public School and headed for the school hall. The excitement was palpable as they celebrated reading, gave awards to kids who helped in the library and waited for their books provided by BOOKS IN HOMES. With the support of the University of Western Sydney, their librarian Catherine Clift and the Principal Mark Harris, every child received 3 beautiful new books that they had chosen. I had the privilege of addressing the students and teachers about books which was doubly pleasurable as an Ambassador...

Come along to Wendy Blaxland, info SCBWI...

If you’re not away or flying back from Bologna or at festivals and conference, the SCBWI Network is:- 5-7 p.m. Monday 2nd April at The Hughenden 14 Queen Street Woollahra (near Paddington, Sydney). I have been on a conference and festival trail where I have met kids, librarians, teachers, adults, even politicians from Queensland to Picton to the beautiful Dixon Room in Sydney’s heritage Mitchell Library overlooking our Botanical Gardens towards the Opera House. I’ll be keynote at the Glouceter Festival , touring the USA with my...

This is Our Youth with Michael Cera, Kie...

‘ Why did you do this play?” Michael Cera ‘ ‘Love the script’ Emily Barclay – ‘Love the script’ Kieran Culkin – ‘What they said.’ Sometimes you think film actors aren’t real actors. Theatre is a serious testing ground. These are REAL actors – giving powerful, brilliant and gripping performances. Michael Cera said he loved the chance to perform on the stage where there are no cuts, breaks, 5 minute slots, but serious, consistent acting. I have a new found respect for both Keiren Culkin and Michael...