Why we must promote acceptance to children

FLINT eMagazine writes:-http://flintmag.com/children/

Acclaimed author Susanne Gervay’s new children’s picture book,Elephants Have Wings (Ford Street Publishing, H/B $26.95,) is inspired by the ancient story of the blind men and the elephant and promotes the importance of peace and inclusion to younger readers.

Inspired by Susanne’s journey to India and South East Asia, she returned imbued with the cultures of India and Asia and the parable of the blind men and the elephant with its spiritual traditions in Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, Sufism and modern philosophy. As the child of refugees, Susanne wanted to open a discussion about pathways to peace by creating an illustrative text that gave young people positive ways to navigate a world torn by conflict.

Beautifully illustrated by Anna Pignataro, Elephants Have Wings follows the story of two children, riding on the wings of a mystical white elephant, embark on an extraordinary journey to discover the meaning of the parable of the blind men and the elephant, and the humanity in all of us. Endorsed by the esteemed Blake Society and created by the award-winning picture book team of Susanne Gervay AO and Anna Pignataro, Elephants Have Wings is a remarkable book that promotes peace and understanding to young readers.

Interview with Susanne

I’ve spoken to hundreds of thousands of young people, sharing my books across the world, in remote indigenous communities, Australian capital cities, throughout regional Australia, across the USA, Asia, India, Kiribati, Europe, from the richest to poorest communities, to young people in prison, hospitals, special schools, remote Outback stations, international schools. The young people I speak to come from many faiths, ethnicities, cultures. However there is a commonality. They seek acceptance, safety, love and are overwhelmed and disempowered by a world in conflict. Story can create a place to unravel their fears and disempowerment and provide pathways to compassion, understanding of other peoples and faiths and become a participant in creating a safer world.

On my tours, a little American boy told me that when he grows up he wants to be an architect. But he will only design short buildings. The Twin Towers of 9-11 are part of who he is now. I included his words which felt so poignant, in my ‘I Am Jack’ series.

I was flown to New York to speak about the power of my young adult novel ‘Butterflies’ to travel with young burns survivors and families. I had the extraordinary privilege to be on the faculty with Kim Phuc, the 9 year old Vietnamese girl running naked from napalm bombs in Nick Ut’s 1972 iconic Pulitzer Prize winning photo. With 80% of her body burned, she decided to turn pain into compassion. She is a UNESCO Ambassador for Peace and established the Kim Phuc Foundation for child survivors of war.

Kim Phuc became incorporated into ‘Always Jack’:-

My hero Jack, of the ‘I Am Jack’ books and his friend Christopher whose parents are Vietnamese refugees present their project to the school.

“Jack and Christopher say together. ‘Kim Phuc, the girl running from the bomb, said, ‘Don’t see a little girl crying out in fear and pain. See her as crying out for peace.’” (Chapter 10)

As part of a delegation, an initiative of the Edmund Rice Centre, I travelled to Kiribati with Patrick Dobson, father of Indigenous reconciliation. Kiribati looks like paradise, an island nation of 32 atolls in the Pacific with approximately 100,000 people. However, without sanitation, rising sea levels, inadequate fresh water supplies, one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world, it is a multi-faith country struggling for survival. I had the privilege of sharing my books with wonderful teachers, students and communities. I addressed an assembly of hundreds of students under an open canopy. When I announced that I would donate my books to the school, in a spontaneous thanksgiving of song, their voices rose in a powerful celebration of thanks. It was deeply moving.

There have been many special moments of connection through story. I was invited to represent Australia in the international peace anthology by IBBY Korea under the auspices of the United Nations. My story ‘Remember East Timor’ was one of 22 stories, by 22 authors, 22 illustrators from 22 countries with different faiths and cultures. My author visit to the Deaf and Blind School where I read my picture books to children with multiple disabilities and diverse faiths, was significant in sharing the commonality of all children while recognising their difference.

As the child of refugees, ‘Elephants Have Wings’ encompasses the ethos that drives all my writing, engaging with young people as they face the challenges of life and empowering them with compassion, understanding of different faiths, humanism. The extraordinary tree of life that connects all humanity spreads its ways through the pages of ‘Elephants Have Wings’, as the mystical white elephant takes the children across the beauty of the world, its conflict and then safety of home.

‘Elephants Have Wings’ was written for young people and adults to open discussion about what sort of world they want and how they can contribute to it because ‘The elephant is in all of us’.

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The Book Chook

________________________________________
Children’s Book Review, Being Jack
Posted: 18 Nov 2014 10:00 AM PST

Reviewed by Susan Stephenson, www.thebookchook.com

Being Jack was written by Susanne Gervay, illustrated by Cathy Wilcox, and published by Harper Collins Australia, 2014.

From the publisher:

Jack is in Year 6 now and still loves his photography, surfing, and crazy family. Things are going well for him, particularly at school where he isn’t bullied any more. But he notices that his best friend Christopher is being taunted and is starting to miss school and hiding out and avoiding everyone. And when a football match turns ugly and Jack and Christopher witness some unfair dirty play, they know that, again, the bullying has to stop. Ages: 9+.

I very much enjoyed the earlier Jack books: I am Jack, Super Jack and Always Jack. I also adored Monkey Baa Theatre’s performance of I am Jack. Being Jack, the final book in the series, sees our hero Jack at almost 13, an immensely likeable and believable character. I think that’s one of the reasons kids relate so well to the Jack books – they can see themselves in Jack. His life is like theirs. He interacts with good friends, kids at school, teachers, and relatives. Jack loves his family but is often flabbergasted by their behaviour and their idiosyncrasies.

Gervay knows how to make kids laugh, and humour there is, as well as drama and lots of moments for kids to think about and discuss. We see inside Jack’s head and feel what he feels. The present tense makes everything immediate, often almost like a stream of consciousness as Jack is bewildered by chaotic thoughts and real problems. How can he best help his mate, Christopher? Should he try to find and contact his real dad? How will that impact those he loves?

The illustrations by Cathy Wilcox are minimal because this is a novel. But the little black and white sketches add a real charm to the story, and may help younger readers not to be daunted by the amount of text. I hope so, because this, like all the Jack books, is such a great read!

In Being Jack, Gervay challenges us to think about bullying in all its forms. No longer tortured by bullies as he was in I am Jack, nevertheless, Jack has hard decisions to make about being a witness to bullying. For children, for all of us, these are important issues to think about, making Being Jack not just a book kids will very much enjoy, but one that nudges them towards taking responsibility for their own actions.

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‘Once Upon A Christmas’ dedicated to:-

SANTA CLAUS!

Launched in the heritage courtyard of Balmain Library with community, kids, parents, fabulous librarians on a balmy Sydney night.

Compiled and edited by Beattie Alvarez who did a brilliant job – it contains the funny, joyous, quirky stories, poems, snippets, illustrations of some the best known authors and illustrators about Christmas:-

Ursula Dubosarsky, Libby Hathorn, Duncan Ball, Kate Forsyth, Sally Rippin, Michael Pryor, Kim Gamble, Adele Geras, Pamela Freeman, Stephen Axelson  ……my small anecdote ‘Grandma’s Christmas’ remembers my children’s Grandma and Grandpa … I can’t wait to give it to my family at Christmas.

Melina Marchetta joined in with her daughter

‘Once Upon A Christmas’ is the brainchild of the multi-award winning author Sophie Masson and Christmas Press and the Christmas Press team – Beattie Alvarez, gifted illustrator David Allen and Fiona McDonald.

Fabulous authors Jesse Blackadder and Melina Marchetta came along to cheer on the launch.

Room to Read Writer Ambassadors were there spreading the word about literacy for the kids of Asia and Africa.

Who sets up a new publishing house in this crazy publishing climate? Sophie Masson of course. With its first title last year, it’s already selling out.

Called Christmas Press

A small press with big ideas..

Born in the early months of 2013, Christmas Press specialises in beautiful picture books for children, featuring traditional tales–folk tales, fairy tales, legends, myths–retold by well-known authors and stunningly illustrated in classic styles that reflect the cultures the stories come from. We also publish special anthologies, full of wonderful stories, poems, memoirs and illustrations, with the first of these, Once Upon A Christmas, just released now for Christmas!

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Days of being an author – is called crazy-good and up-for-air.  Madly frantic!!!!

Racing from KINGS School, to TARA Girls School to Murray Farm Public School  to share my I AM JACK books and ‘Elephants Have Wings.’  The librarians are so hospitable – I got well fed and lots of coffee and I got to share my books with gorgeous kids.

Then it’s Gleebook shop Book Launch of Alice Pung’s first young adult novel – Laurinda – launched by my friend and colleague Melina Marchetta. Both Alice and Melina are Room to Read Writer Ambassadors like I am.  We’re all on a mission to get books to kids in the developing world.

Then it’s off to a fabulous Indian restaurant with the Room to Read team led by Jennie Orchard and stayed too late because I was having a great time.

Highlight was the citizenship ceremony at Woollahra Council. I addressed a packed house overlooking the beautiful harbour. Purple-blue jacaranda trees heavy with flowers greeted em and I got to hang out with the Mayor Of Woollahra Toni Zeltzer. Loved the gold chains and warm welcome by Toni and all the Council staff but more than that – I had the privilege of addressing 36 new Australians – from Hungary, Germany, Malaysia, Turkey, Pakistan …

I am an Australia Day Ambassador – it’s something I love doing. I’ll be flying to speak in Tamworth this year on Australia Day.

It was moving addressing the 36 new Australians and their families and friends from countries as diverse as Thailand, Singapore, Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, UK  … Pakistan.  The Pakistan young man and his 3 young friends were beside themselves that they became Australians today.

I loved speaking to them about our immigrant country that embraced them all and I did a show and tell and held up my Order of Australia.

They loved it. I loved it and it was very special. Made me think about my parents and their journey here.

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Eileen Kramer arrived like an apparition at The Hughenden, in her flowing dress and graceful movements. She was then 99 years old.

She still sews and designs her own dresses. Something she did for the B by revolutionary choreographer Madam Gertrude Bodenwieser. Eileen was part of the famed ballet troupe.

Elaine told me many stories over breakfast and she’s just gorgeous – she toured across Australia, South Africa and India, USA – an extraordinary life.

Today she turned 100 years old and I’m going to go to a dance class she is running.

ABC Compass has been filming her and her life – look out for it on COMPASS – one of my favourite shows.

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Fabulous kids at Stanmore Public School.

Fabulous teacher librarian -Jan

Fabulous chickens – I scored a fresh egg. Thankyou chooks.

Welcomed 3 authors – Kate Forsyth, Deb Abela and Susanne (Me) – and we’d told stories and had the kids rolling in the aisles!

to a triple a first time ever triple-book launch by three major publishers at an inner city Sydney school- for the kids of Stanmore :-

Deborah Abela’s ‘NEW CITY’ Penguin Random House ISBN 978 174275 855

Kate Forsyth’s ‘THE IMPOSSIBLE QUEST” Scholastic ISBN 9 781743 624067

Susanne Gervay’s ‘BEING JACK’ HarperCollins ISBN 9 780732 296148

Raising awareness of Room to Read bringing literacy to more than 9 million kids in the developing world.

It was a brilliant afternoon with totally engaged parents and school. Good one!

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Date

October 26, 2014

Linda Morris

Features writer

The Fault in Our Stars has connected with teens.

Book-jacket designer Raquel Jaramillo never intended her first book to take a stand against school-yard bullying.

Wonder is the fictional story of August Pullman, a fifth grader born with a chromosomal abnormality that disfigures his face.

From Australia, New Zealand, Britain and the tiniest corners of rural United States, Jaramillo, writing under the pen name R.J. Palacio, has received thousands of letters and emails from children saying Wonder has made them want to be better people.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio. Photo: Supplied

“That’s amazing to hear from 10-year-olds,” says the New York-based writer, whose book has been revised to include the bully’s perspective.

There is now an entire shelf of children’s and young adults’ fiction that model difference and tolerance. It’s not just bullying. Cancer, depression, autism, gender confusion and learning difficulties are making their way into children’s books.

Teachers, parents and librarians have picked up these books-with-a-cause as a reading resource to help children and teens rehearse ways they can confront taunts, social exclusion and violence. And they have turned them into unexpected best sellers.

Wonder has sold more than a million copies worldwide, 33,000 copies in Australia. John Green’s The Fault in our Stars, a romance about teens with cancer, has notched up 10 million sales worldwide.

Anti-bullying campaigner Susanne Gervay is certain a literature-based approach can break down stereotypes and save lives.

Gervay is the creator of the I am Jack series. She describes her books as part survival manual, part fiction, which distil issues of difference, tolerance and anxiety into digestible bits by which young readers can reach some understanding of their problems.

Too often children are given too much credit for being able tocommunicate their feelings, says Gervay.

“I go into schools and children tell me their stories,” she says. “When I hear a 12-year-old ask, ‘what is the point of life?’, I want to hug them and tell them it’s going to be alright. I had one girl who muttered under her breath, ‘I want to die’, and, you know, I took her by her hand and brought her friends around her and made them vow that they would be there for this girl whenever she felt lonely or upset.”

The value of literature as a therapy tool has long been recognised by the Australian Association of Family Therapy which this time every year honours books that help  children deal with divorce, disability and other difficulties.

This year’s winner in the young adult category is Aimee Said’s Freia Lockhart’s Summer of Awful, about a girl who must cope with her mother’s diagnosis with breast cancer. It was selected for its realistic setting, strong role models and positive outcomes.

One of last year’s winners, I’ll Tell You Mine by Pip Harry, shows how parents deal with their teenage daughter’s difficult behaviour while the other, Violet Mackerel’s Personal Space by Anna Branford, was praised for its positive depictions of step-parenting.

Linda Stock, amember of the book awards’ panel for nine years, has studied the benefits of reading for children who have spent long periodsin hospital and usesGoing Home by Margaret Wild and Wayne Harris as her text.

While she was reading to young patients in Royal North Shore Hospital, one boy told her books helped him “get out of his hospital bed and into his imagination”.

Stock says she avoids books that are glib or contain glaring stereotypes and likes Pip’s Magic by Ellen Stoll Walsh, which is about dealing with fear but is code for the message “we have the skills we need, and are already brave”.

The spoken-word artist Shane Koyczan is the latest writer to put his own pain into print. His anti-bullying poem To This Day describes the life-long repercussions of school-yard bullying. Koyczan was the fat kid at school and has been haunted by taunts of pork chop. His message is: names do hurt but, if you can’t find beauty in yourself, “find a better mirror”.

Books that use humour, provide hope and offer a positive outcome are most helpful as a teaching tool. But the story must have integrity, says Jaramillo.

“Kids eyes’ glaze over a bit nowadays when they’re told in any kind of didactic manner, don’t be a bully. Very few kids see themselves as bullies. They don’t identify what they’re doing with bullying if it doesn’t fit into the cliches of bullying.

“They don’t see how socially isolating someone is a form of bullying. They don’t recognise themselves in that label. And neither do their parents.”

Books that make a difference

As recommended by Susanne Gervay

Cancer

Two weeks with The Queen - Morris Gleitzman
The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
Zac & Mia - A.J. Betts

Depression and mental illness

Lockie Leonard, Legend – Tim Winton
His Dark Materials trilogy – Philip Pullman
The Illustrated Mum – Jacqueline Wilson

Autism and aspergers

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – Mark Haddon
Dolphins Dance – Jutta Goetze

Learning difficulties

I Own The Racehorse – Patricia Wrightson
Hank Zipzer: The World’s Greatest Underachiever – Henry Winkler and lin Olivers
Hill’s End – Ian Southwell

Death and grief

The Protected – Claire Zorn

Bullying

Wonder - R.J. Pallacio
I am Jack – Susanne Gervay

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I go to a lot of events, but last night sitting beside the witty, passionate Chancellor Viki Sara, was inspiring.

The great Hall at UTS in the heart of Sydney sparkled with not only lights and orchids, but Alumni who make the world better. It was the UTS Alumni Awards for Excellence.

The brilliant Dr Simon Walsh Chief Scientist, Australian Federal Police received the Chancellor Viki Sara’s award.

Forget the TV shows, Simon Walsh is the real thing – a forensic scientist who leads the investigations into major disasters providing closure for families and justice in the criminal justice system.

I was at a table with the wonderful Father Peter Maher OAM the parish priest at St Joseph’s Church Newtown a spokesman for victims of sexual abuse by the Church, offering pastoral care to all who need it irrespective of faith, gender, ethnicity … he invited me to speak at his church next year on ‘Elephants Have Wings’ and inter faith/multi faith/humanitarianism, finding your spirit. I am honoured.

It was so wonderful hearing the professors introduce the award winners. So much fun when the young and fabulous designers strode up in super high heels – Rebecca Cooper and Bridget Yorston of the internationally acclaimed label ‘bec & bridge’. My daughter LOVES their clothes.

Other outstanding recipients of the UTS Alumni Awards included Jacqui Feeney MD Fox International; Lihua Tong Director Public Interest Lawyers;Chris Zaharia Co founder Zookai; Jemma Birrell Director of Sydney Writers Festival; Richard Tamba CEO BRT Communication; Leona McGrath Aboriginal Nursing & Midwifery Strategy; Margaret Cunneen SC Deputy-Senior Crown Prosecutor.

Stars, stars, stars!!!!!!!!!

I love the UTS community and feel deeply privileged to have received a UTS Alumni Award several years ago.

THANKYOU UTS!!!!!!!

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A community school – a selective school – a school that embraces reading – LOVE IT and LOVE the kids.

Kids from everywhere – they understand ‘Elephants Have Wings’ – where we’re all different but part of the same humanity.

Thankyou for the beautiful email I received from a student after my talks at Sefton:-

It’s amazing to have a compassionate author coming into Sefton, and talking about the hard journey of a writer, making us understand what it is to be a writer, that being a writer doesn’t mean being famous, being rich, e.t.c.

I also would like to say, even though you probably have heard this a million times, your books, especially Butterflies (my favourite) and That’s Why I Wrote this Song (2nd favourite), have touched my heart, and inspired me.

It taught me to be empathetic, looking at different sides of a challenge, and also to trust and give second chances.

It was beautifully written, and I admire the way you plunge into you writing with commitment and passion, and being the character, making the story authentic. I understand it is hard to being a published author, which is why I love and admire you so much, and you are quite easy to talk to, like a friend.

Here’s a question from me: If you are friends with an author’s book, are you friends with the author?

My answer: YOU ARE MY FRIEND!

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5.00 am early start – dragging myself out of bed – even chicken was squawking.

5.30 am – destination our capital city – hop in the BOOTIE-MOBILE – also known as my car.

Sun shining, car purring, radio on as I drive out of Sydney into the countryside with yellow fields of sunflowers and baa-ing sheep, eventually along Lake George to spring lined streets of Canberra -  It’s glorious being a writer on the road.

First stop ACT State Library to a packed  group of enthusiastic kids writing about – Werewolves, Wizards & Writers.

Next stop, Poppy’s Cafe at the National War Memorial listening to bagpipes while discussing everything with SCBWI Coordinator for ACT/Camberra – author Tracey Hawkings.

Then it’s the SCBWI Event at the ACT Writers Centre with the dynamic SCBWI ACT crowd – including authors Tania McCartney, Irma Gold (brilliant short story writer), best selling author Gina Newton, historical author Pauline Deeves, script writer Lina Silva and other committed authors and illustrators. It was great fun , great nibbles, great enthusiasm for creating story.

Saturday was brilliant – the ACT Writers Centre at Gorman House is old world with a lilac lined courtyard and Saturday markets and music – and I had the pleasure of running a short story course with some extraordinary writers.

Caught up with Suzanne Kiraly at Tilley’s Cafe where we talked writing and about the Literature festival Suzanne is organising 28 Feb next year – it’ll be brilliant.

Drove home through fields and sunshine.

Can’t wait to visit Canberra again.

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It was so much SCBWI news at The Hughenden for the SCBWI and excellent sandwiches too – even glutten-free!

Liz Anelli  intrepid explorer made it back after her Outback on a sketch trek for her new book. She crahsed and ended up on crutches.

I think she tripped over a wild dog in the Outback.

Luckily she made it to the SCBWI event at The Hughenden- all the way from Newcastle!

Deb Abela’s celebrating her brand new book – a companion book to the best selling dystopian novel Grimsden. It’s the brilliant NEW CITY (Random house) – a must read if you want to save the environment and the world.

Mark Thomason arrived from his many trips abroad – he’s having too much of a good time – hey but he’s back and writing again.

It was wonderful that Jennifer Reid President of the CBCA Western Sydney branch – so good to see her and she has her first book out!!!  Kooky Pants.

Marjorie Crosby-Fairall slipped the news that she’s illustrating for the iconic School Magazine!!!!  Well, what would you expect from this talented illustrator. Next week we hang her artwork from Croc and the Platypus in the Hughenden Illustrator Gallery.

Margaret Roc, Deb Abela and Marjorie Crosby-Fairall had spent the afternoon on plans – BIG announcement – bookmark 17-20th July 2016 for the next International SCBWI Conference at The Hughenden!

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With the world so traumatised by terrorism , the world is responding with movements for change, peace, kindness.

The Labyrinth – a walking meditation – opened by Governor Marie Bashir to the blessings of the Wisdom Keepers from Aunty Ali Golding Aboriginal Elder Biripi Nation and many leaders of many faiths – Sikh, Buddhist, Moslem, Roman Catholic, Unity Church, Jewish, Zen, Anglican …. and others.

The Sydney Sacred Music Festival joins Stephanie Dowrick author and minister for an Interfaith service in Sydney’ s Uniting Church:-

‘If light is in your heart you will find your way home’. Rumi

The music played and sung by Dr Kim Cunio touched the heart.

Elephants Have Wings published by Ford Street Publishing.

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Driving out of Sydney, crossing the Hawkesbury River on a punt, heading into the bush – one of Australia’s treasures – to speak to young people. Fantastic!

There are education department schools in the bush where kids from all over the country can come to discover indigenous bush tucker, environmental secrets of the land, trek, tell stories – the Writers’ Camp happens once a year and 4 authors go bush.

Multi award winning Simon French who was one of the founders of the writing camp at Brewongle Environment Education Centre was there of course.

Deborah Abela and James Roy came this year and there was me. Even award winning illustrator Donna Rawlings dropped in.

James Roy brought his ukele and Steve – one of the fabulous staff – brought his guitar and kids joined in.

I was in the old school house 1878 – how fantastic is that!  I didn’t use the cane, but put the fire on with Queen Victoria’s photo looking over us all.

Young people are so insightful, so much to share and it was wonderful as always.

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Zac the YAK from  Room to Read romps in for CBCA’s BIG BOOK DAY OUT with so many wonderful authors, illustrators, storytelling, SCBWI, jumping castle, barbecue and more … what a brilliant day!

The SCBWI stand was buzzing with Ben Johnston’s hands-on workshop Engibear Series

Margaret Roc’s BIG JELLYBEAN competition.

Lesley Gibbs launch to the very scary very funny picture book SCARY NIGHT.

The hilarious Mike Lefroy entertaining kids with talented illustrator Liz Anelli – HOWZAT!

Wilderness Fairies flapping through the Fair – Jodie Wells-Slowgrove!

Sue Whiting’s Firefighters with kids in firemen raincoats!  Kids loved it.

Marjorie Crosby-Fairall’s workshop with The Croc and The Platypus – so creative!

Wendy Blaxland brilliant play about Blaxland’s Crossing” …. and much more … authors  Sandy Fussell, Deborah Abela, Kate Forsyth, Belinda Murrell, Oliver

Phommavanh ….. a feast of creators.

Even more fun with the CBCA Newcastle and Sydney West regions with Jennifer Trad Reid and Katrina McKelvey.

What a day!

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It’s a book love-fest – by Australian authors & illustrators – going everywhere talking books

- special thankyou to schools, kids and teachers for embracing the I AM JACK series

- sooooo exciting that the final I AM JACK -  Being JACK  is to be released 1st September!!! yeah!!!

BOOK WEEK is such a fantastic times – thankyou to the brilliant librarians who dress up as book characters, invite authors and illustrators to their schools, have plays and celebrations.

Loved the interview with Michael Cathcart on ABC Radio National on the I AM JACK series.

Fantastic being part of it!

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Sooooo much happening – August is when kids’ authors & illustrators are on the move – across Australia – speaking at schools, events and spreading the LOVE of books.

Monkey Baa Theatre is putting on a week of I AM JACK at Darling Quarter Theatre – nearly full houses, but this year I can’t do the post play Q & A as I’ll be speaking at schools. I love doing those Q & A’s with Tim McGarry.

There’s the Benefit for ROOM TO READ – reaching more than 9 millions kids in Asia and Africa. They won’t be all at the Benefit Sat 23 August – ha – but all funds go to building schools and literacy programmes and books.

Launch of my 4th and final BEING JACK – the 15 year journey creating the I AM JACK series.

Treat yourself and see the many amazing authors and illustrators in your schools and bookshops, libraries and events!

CELEBRATE BOOKS & READING!

MonkeyBaa Theatre – www.monkeybaa.com.au

Room to Read – www.roomtoread.org

BOOKINGS for 5 p.m. Sat 23 August. All funds go to Room to Read: monkeybaa.com.au/show/jack-room-read-fundraiser/

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Love, love, love the amazing, exhilerating community of children’s book writers and illustrators and publishing industry. You have to go to the SCBWI Conference Los Angeles once.

It’s truly about friends across the globe – with our Internationals led by author Kathleen Ahrens in Hong Kong and the Assistant international author Angela Cerrito in Germany …..

get to meet some of your idols like Judy Bloom, NY Times best selling author Ellen Hopkins, amazing illustrator Mo Willems, huge series author Bruce Coville  and so many more … and many agents and publishers.

The best part – the Saturday night PARTY – and yes, everyone sang like the SCBWI Conference in Sydney at The Hughenden.

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What a buzz – writers, illustrators, publishers – pitches, publishing panels, brilliant masterclasses, launches, the magnificent illustrator duet with Stephen Axelson and Bruce Whately …

Melina Marchetta’s outstanding keynote about the adaptation of On Jellico Road into a Hollywood feature film – watch out for it …

and wonderful food by Vincent at The Hughenden  …

the dinner dance party with the fabulous Beatnickers of Meredith Costain, James Foley, Scot Chambers and on drums Mark Greenwood – thankyou Wolfie for being a ring in – and the wild singing and hilarity

…. and more and more and more … best ever SCBWI Australia and new Zealand Conference at The Hughenden!!!!!

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Kids’s authors and illustrators, publishers and editors rock and rolled at the Society of Children’s Writers & Illustrators’ Conference at The Hughenden in Sydney – with the BEATNICKERS – the SCBWI band of James Foley, Mark Greenwood, Meredith Costain, Scott Chambers and the fabulous ring in on guitar and drums and … Wolfgang!

Best ever -amazing, wild, hilarious, brilliant night of the craziest dancing and partying!

Go kids’ authors and illustrators!!!!!!!

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SCBWI conference has started – with

Connie Hsu Senior Commissioning Editor Roaring Brooks USA flying in from New York;

Frances Plumpton literary agent from New Zealand flying in too,

a pile of authors and illustrators from WA and Victoria ….

it’s happening … Margaret Roc and Betty Sargent spent hours stuffing delegate bags yesterday with me ….

The Hughenden was on overload with the marquis rising from the carpark… the banner is up and we’re ready to rock and roll with the children’s book writers & illustrators of Australia and New Zealand!

Our Conference charity is Room to read www.roomtoread.org

Welcome! #SCBWIausNZ14

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Shakespeare’s Richard 111 – killed whoever stood in his way to power – has anything changed?

Richard 111 playing at the Ensemble Theatre, Sydney is a stage within a stage.

A troupe of actors gather to perform Shakespeare’s Richard 111, an intensely dark play of evil, revealing one of history’s greatest villain.

Complex with outstanding performances by the cast, most of who play multiple characters, Shakespeare’s Richard 111 is peopled with a huge number of characters. The diagrams of family trees as the backdrop, references this and then the challenge is for the audience to give themselves permission to leave aside the many names and players, and enter Richard’s world.

Richard 111 is driven by political ambition for power at any cost with murders, fierce battles, the strong female characters typical of Shakespearean drama, evil manipulations in its many forms.

Mark Kilmurray’s performance of Richard is brilliant portraying Richard, the hunchback, crippled with one arm deformed and a club foot. His deformities are painful physically, emotionally and morally denying Richard love, respect and acceptance which is a factor that underlies his consuming lust for power. Kilmurray’s Richard despite his disabilities, is fast and at times seems to dance through the blood of potential rivals controlling the stage and every player. Ironically, it is a pleasure to watch Kilmurray’s Richard.

There are some very funny moments in this play of murder and mayhem, with quick character changes, set designs and props that contrast to the vanities and ambitions of the characters. Matt Edgerton’s well executed character changes, are especially humorous. Amy Matthews and Danielle Carter’s as Queen Elizabeth and Lady Anne are powerfully gripping as they navigate the fall-out of Richard’s murderous plots, with the death of their children.

Richard 111 becomes king. It is a hollow victory as he faces his final scene where he is attacked and lies dying. He calls out – ‘A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!’. Like Hitler, Stalin, Idi Amin and other evil dictators, the lust for power ends in oblivion and the belated recognition that life is the most important thing.

Richard declared at the beginning that “Since I cannot prove a lover … I am determined to prove a villain.” He is certainly a villain who leave the audiences with questions about the human forces that create the pursuit of power at any cost. Is it nurture, nature, lack of love, evil within human nature? A play worth seeing.

Susanne Gervay ~ Reviewer, author www.sgervay.com

Ensemble Theatre
78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli Australia 2061
(02) 9929 8877; Box Office: (02) 9929 0644; http://ensemble.com.au/

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Love being a Writer Ambassador for Room to Read with the coolest writers around – caught up with the brilliant Room to Read team of Mihiri, Jennie Orchard & Wendy Rapee  at The Hughenden Hotel &:-

Jacqueline Harvey famous for her ALICE MIRANDA books

Oliver Phommavanh famous for his THAI-RIFFIC Books

Deborah Abela famous for her MAX REMY SPY super books and GRIMSDEN

Me – famous for my I AM JACK series which advocates for kids &  Room to Read

Hey, we’re a famous lot!! Ha, ha, ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We’re raising awareness at the launch of BEING JACK (4th & final  I AM JACK) in a BENEFIT for ROOM TO READ:-

with a live performance of I AM JACK by Monkey Baa Theatre

When: 5 p.m. Sat 23rd August 2014

Launched by: Christian  Marchegiani  Swans boxing coach and anti school bullying advocate.

Champagne, nibblies and we’ll have a great time

BOOKINGS: – Monkey Baa Theatre Company
Lend Lease Darling Quarter Theatre
Terrace 3, 1-25 Harbour Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Ph : 02 8624 9341 ( Ext 3 )
E: [email protected]
www.monkeybaa.com.au

Tickets: $30 for adults; $20 kids and family tickets

The NRL SUPER SPORTS STARS SHOULD BE DROPPING BY – They say NO to bullying too.

Come along and have a BALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

www.roomtoread.org/australia

The post Launching Launching last I AM JACK ~ at Benefit for Room to Read – 5 p.m. 23 Aug at Darling Harbour! appeared first on Susanne Gervay's Blog.

Love the committee meetings where we select great books for disadvantaged and indigenous kids across Western Sydney, the Outback Northern Territory.

Andrew Berhut MD of Scholastic singing Hokey Pokey in tune with a new title was hilarious. Hokey Pokey is on the list of books that children can chose for their very own. Andrew really supports his books!

Gillian Maugle represents school librarians on the committee and is fabulous.

As a Role Model I’ll be presenting at the Assembly for Books in Homes, to Curran Public School Macquarie Fields in Western Sydney on 18th June – looking forward to it.

SCBWI – Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators Australia east and New Zealand is proud to support Book in Homes.

www.booksinhomesaustralia.com.au

The post Books in Homes Taking 1 Million Books to Kids appeared first on Susanne Gervay's Blog.

SCBWI’s International Conference 13-16th July has the hip band – watch out for drummer award winning picture book author Mark Greenwood on the drums.

Mark’s past life was a drummer with the top bands in the world!

James Foley award winning illustrator who’s on vocals.

Scott Chambers scientist and writer on guitar.

Meredith Costain fabulous author, vocalist on the key boards.

The post SCBWI Big Band kids’ authors, illustrators- gearing up for SCBWI Conference at The Hughenden appeared first on Susanne Gervay's Blog.