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'The animals in the bush are scared. Something is making terrible noises- is the snake making that hissing? Is it a bear making that growling sound? Can you hear an evil goblin snoring? Help! a giant is roaring!'
Cackle Kookaburra, Waddle Wombat, Ernest the Echidna, Prunella Possum and their Australian bush friends join together in this rollicking rhyme to reveal who is making all the noises at night.
Larry the Lyrebird finally confesses that he is making all the noises with his mimicking ability. This leads to lively, illustrated information at the back of the book about how the Lyrebird got its name, which has the fancier tail, how they build their nests, and where they live.
With its bright, vibrant illustrations and likeable characters, Night Monsters is a must for children. It begs to be read time and time again as children will enjoy the anticipation of knowing what's going to happen and interacting with the animal sounds.
An Aussie Year, features five fresh faced Aussie kids; Ned, Lily, Zoe, Kirra and Matilda, as they take us through a year in their lives. Each character has their own heritage, interests, and family traditions but each represent the salad bowl of culture that typifies our beautiful country.
Illustrator Tina Snerling, has beautifully captured vibrant and detailed works of art for children and adults to read, admire, and share. Bursting with national pride the story meanders through a vibrant landscape of celebrations, traditions and events - both monumental and every day.
It is a brilliant resource for the classroom for teachers and students as is supported by extensive teaching notes and it relevant to many modules of the new school curriculum including; humanity and social science, history and citizenship, geography, the arts, languages, and design and technology.
Loving produced with a durable printed laminated casebound cover, An Aussie Year is one of those picture books that begs to be read time and time again as each time something new is discovered and learnt.
Tania McCartney is an author, editor, reviewer and features writer. The founder of Kids Book Review and an ambassador for the National Year of Reading 2012, she is passionate about literacy and has spent many years presenting and speaking on reading, books and writing. She lives in Canberra with her husband and two kids, in a paper house at the base of a book mountain.
Tina Snerling is an illustrator, children’s wear designer and graphic artist. She lives in Brisbane with her husband, two kids and a wild imagination to draw the world with childhood innocence.
I'm so excited to be included in Tania McCartney's blog tour reviewing her picture book, Eco Warriors to the Rescue! Make sure you jump on board the tour by clicking on the links on the bottom of this post.
Book Review:
Eco Warriors to the Rescue! is the latest picture book written by Australian children's author, Tania McCartney and published by the National Library of Australia Publishing.
Banjo, Ned and Matilda are curious everyday kids but they are also real life Eco Warriors. Join them as they search for the best ways to keep our Australian native plants in tip top shape and battle the enemies that threaten our environment such as litter and pollution.
Children will feel inspired to keep Australia green by the colourful glossy photographs of the Eco Warriors in action and will hopefully become proactive in protecting the flora and fauna in their local community.
Eco Warriors to the Rescue! is perfect for Eco Warriors young and old as there's plenty of interesting facts in the back pages to discover, appreciate and care for our beautiful Australian native flora.
This is another spectacular book for Tania McCartney and the National Library of Australia .
Tania McCartney is an author of both children’s and adult books. An experienced magazine writer and editor, she also founded respected literary site Kids’ Book Review. She is passionate about literacy, and loves to speak on reading, books and writing. Her latest books include Eco Warriors to the Rescue! (National Library Publishing), Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo: A journey around Canberra (Ford Street), Caroline Chisholm: The Emigrant’s Friend (New Frontier) and An Aussie Year: Twelve months in the life of Australian Kids (EK Publishing). Tania adores books, travel and photography. She lives in Canberra with her family, in a paper house at the base of a book mountain.
Sunday 1 September
Sneak Peek
Tania McCartney’s Blog
Review
Boomerang Books Blog
Giveaway
Pass It On
Mixed Media Illustrations for Picture Books
Angela Sunde
Monday 2 September
Book Review
Book Giveaway
Kids Book Review
Eco Tips for Little Readers
Sheryl Gwyther’s Blog
Bringing Up Eco Warriors
The Book Chook
Review
Books for Little Hands
Literature Supporting Sustainability
Children’s Books Daily
Author Interview
Alison Reynolds
Tuesday 3 September
Giveaway
My Little Bookcase
Review
5 Multi-Media Writing Tips
DeeScribe
Review
Writing for the National Library of Australia
BuzzWords
Review
Elaine Ouston Blog
Review
Giveaway
Soup Blog
Eco Warriors to the Rescue! is the latest picture book written by Australian children's author, Tania McCartney and published by the National Library of Australia Publishing.
Banjo, Ned and Matilda are curious everyday kids but they are also real life Eco Warriors. Join them as they search for the best ways to keep our Australian native plants in tip top shape and battle the enemies that threaten our environment such as litter and pollution.
Children will feel inspired by the colourful glossy photographs of the Eco Warriors in action and will hopefully become proactive in protecting the flora and fauna in their local community.
Eco Warriors to the Rescue! is perfect for Eco Warriors young and old as there's plenty of information in the back pages to discover, appreciate and care for our beautiful Australian native flora.
Can you guess which instrument I'm going to play?
Can it be a guitar?
Can it be a saxophone?
My Band is an interactive picture book written by Elizabeth Lea, illustrated by Chantal Stewart and published by The National Library of Australia. By using clues to guess which instrument is under the flap, children will discover how the instrument is played and whether it belongs to the woodwind, the brass, the percussion or the string family.
Featuring lively and appealing illustrations, My Band portrays the joys of playing a musical instrument and through eight craft activities at the end of the book, encourages children to make their own instruments to play in their own band. Suitable for children 0-7 years, My Band is the perfect addition to a child's library as it offers endless reading experiences for children with parents, caregivers, teachers or alone, and develops an early interest in the world of music and instruments.
Eddy Emu has lost one of his eggs. Has Lizzie Lizard found it? Has Susie Spider or Connie Crocodile seen it? Join Eddy on his search and meet his friends.
Penny Olsen, author of Our Nest is Best and illustrated by Rhonda N. Garward.
This delightful picture book introduces children to different Australian animals and their eggs. Lift the flap, and meet the babies that have just hatched. And, finally, find out what happened to Eddy's egg. With stunning water colour pictures and a Did you know? section, this picture book will provide hours of fun and learning for adults, children and their own families.
I'm delighted to welcome Robert Vescio to Books for Little Hands.
Robert Vescio likes to write picture books, chapter books and short stories for children. His goal as a children’s author is to inspire, encourage and challenge children to dream big. And remember to Believe in yourself!!
When did you first know that you wanted to be a children's author?
I’ve always enjoyed writing, even way back in high school. I received a number of Literacy Awards in English for story and poem writing and many of my works were published in the school’s yearbooks. I was also actively involved in the production of the school’s newspaper and school magazine. But since leaving high school, I never believed in myself enough to actually continue writing.
It wasn’t until I left fulltime work in 2007, to become a stay-at-home dad, that I began to take writing more seriously. I had a great excuse to spend hours in the children’s section of bookstores. The love of reading books made it all the more easier for me to delve into the world of picture book writing.
What was your process to publication like? Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
I started writing children’s stories about five years ago. I think I always knew that someday I would be writing my own books but I just didn’t know when.It took 2 and a half years to get my first picture book accepted by a traditional publisher. I’m living proof that the good old slush pile really does work. I often wondered if I would ever get published. It’s very competitive out there and you can wait a very long time before receiving a reply. So you need lots of patience and perseverance. If you stick it out, it will pay off. Just remember NEVER GIVE UP!
I remember that day when I received my first acceptance – my heart skipped a beat! It was a great feeling.
Writing picture books isn’t easy as it looks. You have to learn to tell a story with very few words in a short time frame. I write many drafts before I’m happy with how it finally reads and flows.
Tell us about your picture books.
I wrote my picture book No Matter Who We’re With (illustrated by Cheri Scholten and published by IP Kidz) released March, 2013 following my separation in 2008. The book is a reassuring story about the lives of two children whose parents are separated. Even though the parents live apart, one thing is certain: they are always loved. 
This story helps children come to terms with the separation of their parents, and shows the unconditional love and security children can feel with each parent, no matter where they live.
My other picture book Marlo Can Fly (illustrated by Sandra Temple and published by Wombat Books) will be released in June, 2013 and is an entertaining story about a magpie who doesn't conform to expectations. Marlo doesn't want to fly and would rather try different ways. However, Marlo proves that she can put aside her wishes when it’s important. A fun children’s book, featuring Australian animals, that encourages children to explore and find their place inthe world.
What inspires your writing?
My children, most definitely. A lot of my creative ideas come from observing them. All I have to do is to observe them and the ideas start rolling in. There is a lot of humour and I enjoy looking for stories from their every day experiences.
What's the best part about being an author?
Sharing my stories with children of all ages. I love to tell a good yarn. Writing for children is a genre that I really enjoy. I love children’s picture books and the way they express emotions and ideas in simple ways. And I love reading them to my children.
Do you visit schools and if so, what tips do you have to keeping kids engaged?
Yes, I enjoy visiting schools and sharing my stories with the students. There’s nothing more satisfying for an author, than seeing the smiles on children’s faces. It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m doing something wonderful for them. The students are curious and eager and ask great questions.
Also, I like to use props during my presentation, when possible. Props add an element of fun and enhance the atmosphere of the talk.
What's next?
I have an early reader chapter book Hopscotch Showdown (published by Jelli-Beanz Publishing) due to be released in October, 2013. I’m really excited about this project. It’s been an eventful year and I hope the ride doesn’t stop here.
See the quiet quokka rocking her baby to sleep and the noisy numbat on the drums. Watch the energetic emu winning her race and the lazy lizard lunging in the sun (with his sunscreen on, of course).
This delightful board book Aussie Animal Opposites written by Elizabeth Lee and illustrated by Liz Faul, introduces children to the concept of opposites and will help build a vocabulary in young children in a fun and educational way.
Published by the National Library of Australia, Aussie Animal Opposites features colourful illustrations perfect for young children and will have children interacting, mimicking the animals and looking for opposites in their everyday environment.
Not just your ordinary opposites book, the end pages include information about Aussie animals using realistic images and snippets of information. This reinforces the educational component and encourages further discussion and interest. I highly recommend Aussie Animal Opposites as a suitable book for young learners and I'm sure children will request again and again.
It's a pleasure to Welcome Author Josie Montano to Books for Little Hands.
When did you first know that you wanted to be an author?
I have wanted to be an author since age 9 when I wrote my own little fiction stories, self-published them to make them look like real books (of course they didn’t!) but I included title page, chapters, illustrations, dedications, copyright etc. Then I shelved these booklets onto the school library shelves.
Did you encounter any obstacles when trying to get published?
At age 13 I sent a manuscript to Golden Press for consideration of a golden book story I had written titled ‘Mother christmas’. I was so excited and confident that they were going to publish it, six months later I received a golden envelope in the mail from the publishers …. With my first rejection letter! I was devastated and I believe this pushed me back into a world of disbelief that authors actually existed, I had never met one, and wondered how it all worked.
The dream of becoming an author was snuffed out, and I went on with 'real' world activities such as getting a stable job in a bank, marrying, and having children. It wasn't until my mid 20's that the hankering to write actually came back and I began to dabble with stories and attend writing workshops. This lead to a lot of praise and encouragement from the teachers to take it seriously as they believed I had talent. So I then went onto university to study creative writing, as I wanted to add a little structure to that talent ... and as they say, the rest is history!
Tell us about your books.
I write all types of genres, from picture books, junior fiction, young adult to non-fiction resources. I have 2 pen names. JOSIE MONTANO is for all my fiction writing – I have 15 books under this name ranging from picture books to YA. I enjoy writing humour and wrote about half a dozen junior fiction novels that were so much fun to pen, some of those are titled Snot Fair, Snot Funny etc.
I find that I tend to use varying degrees of humour and especially if I can discuss a serious topic and incorporate delicate humour ie: my latest YA is titled Sunlight and is about a young girl diagnosed with cancer, it has humour threaded throughout to lighten the darkness.I’m waiting to write my ‘serious’ novel …..
JOSIE SANTOMAURO is for all the non-fiction resources which are on the topic of Asperger Syndrome. There are 26 resources published for families, educators and professionals.
What books did you enjoy reading when you were growing up?
I was a huge fan of Enid Blyton and started a collection of her books at age 9, and am not ashamed to say I still collect some of her classics and unusual genres such as a school reader, stage play etc.
In my secondary years I enjoyed reading series, anything really – I was always known to be the book worm with book in hand and could be found curled up in the library.
What in your opinion, determines a books success?
There are varying reasons, it can range anything from the current trend, the amount of hype created, to the WOW factor. I also believe a successful book is in the eyes of the reader, one book may be a ‘success’ to one person and boring to another. I don’t write for success, I write to share my stories, to entertain people.
Whats your secret for writing interesting book characters?
Everybody loves to hate or love with a passion, eg: latest reality shows there’s always someone the viewer hates (wants them evicted) or loves (gunning for) – and I think that transfers to fiction characters. We always want to relate to the main character, have a rapport, feel like we know that character inside out, we are their best friend – a good character makes you miss them after the last page.
So what’s the secret? It’s a secret! I’m sure every author has their own little added ingredient they add to create their unique character. My secret may be that I like to think of myself as Dr Frankenstein and create a character from varying different persons eg: incorporate a little of me, someone I know, and maybe someone I’ve observed.
Do you have any routine that you follow before writing?
No I’m not a disciplined writer and I envy those who can wake at 5am and have written 1000 words before the chickens wake! I am a ‘mood’ writer, and have to be in the mood to write that story. I can’t force the story to come out. A lot of the times it formulates in my head for a while like a cake mix, then when I’m ready to ‘bake it’ I sit at my computer and it all comes out. Although I have to admit a deadline can get me moving!!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am a volunteer with the State Emergency Services and enjoy the training, team mates and deployments to help the community. Being Italian I love my coffee, but good quality lattes – quite a coffee connoisseur, I like to go on the bean hunt! Enjoy going to the movies and being inspired by a great story. Also enjoy attending the theatre of which I also occasionally tread the amateur boards.
What's next?
Well I have 3 contracts to fullfill,
- My big Family Pizza – a YA novel of my original Wogaluccis which has been contracted by a US publisher;
- The ASD Zoo from Kalamazoo – a picture book/junior fiction for my US publisher of Autism resources;
- The Hidden Curriculum – Relationships – co-writing a resource for adults with Autism on relationships for US publisher.
I also need to complete my Masters Arts (Speculative Fiction) – I am half way as I have finished the novel, and just need to research the exegesis side of things.
I have also started consulting parents of children/teens with Asperger syndrome, or partners of adults with Asperger....and....I am dabbling with a feature film screen play- a family comedy, and a documentary series on Asperger.
I’m thrilled to begin my '2013 Author Interviews' with Children’s Author and Illustrator, Bryan Langdo.
When did you first know that you wanted to be a children's author and illustrator?
I've always wanted to draw, ever since I was two. In middle school I started taking art lessons from children's author/illustrator Robert J. Blake. He held the class in his studio, so we always got to see firsthand the process of making a picture book. Something just clicked in me when I saw all the possibilities in combining storytelling with drawing.
How did you get started?
I started sending book proposals (manuscript plus two or three illustration samples) to publishers in the fall of 1998. I had a list of about a dozen publishers that I focused on. Each time a manuscript came back rejected (which it almost always did), I would put it in a new envelope and send it to the next publisher on my list. While a proposal was making the rounds, I would pretty much forget about it and start on another book idea, always trying to stay busy. I got lots of rejection letters, but every now and then I would receive some advice or words of encouragement from the editors who'd reviewed my work.
When and where do you write and illustrate most often?
Most of my process takes place in my head, while doing everyday things like driving. Once I've got the big ideas worked out, I'll sit down at my computer and get to typing. I draw in my sketchbook pretty much wherever: the dining room table, in front of the computer (because that's where I listen to music), on the couch. I have a proper studio that I only use when it's time to do final artwork. I can't sketch in there for some reason.
Tell us about your book characters, Hippo and Gorilla. What inspired you to write about them?
Hippo lives life to the fullest and isn't afraid to make mistakes. He's a wonderful friend and always means well, but he doesn't always think things through first. In fact, he almost never does. Gorilla, on the other hand, is quiet and so careful that he sometimes misses out on fun opportunities. Each character helps the other. Hippo gets Gorilla to "live a little" and Gorilla reins Hippo in, keeping him from doing too much damage. They're based (loosely) on my two children, who have very different personalities but are extremely close.
Tell us about the concept for your children's eBooks.
My best friend and I (CJ DeGennaro--he did all the sound, music, and technical stuff with these books) wanted to make eBooks that engage young kids without too much interactivity, which, in our humble opinion, takes away from the simple act of reading/listening to a good story. We both have kids and, while we like a lot of what e-readers have to offer, we don't want reading to become like video game-playing. Our goal with "Hippo and Gorilla" is to create a series that is more like the books-on-tape that we grew up with: narration, limited music, and a few key sound effects.
What do you enjoy about the most about the process?
It's hard to say... Recording the talented Billy Bob Thompson (our narrator) was a lot of fun, but I'd have to say that my favorite part of the process is the writing. Imagining ridiculous scenarios to stick Hippo and Gorilla in is a blast.
Have there been any challenges publishing in eBook format?
I'm used to illustrating for print books, so there were a few things I had to get used to, but not much. Most of the real challenge fell to CJ. He spent a couple months learning how to program the books and navigate the e-publishing world. I had it easy; all I had to to was write and draw silly pictures.
What advice would you give other author/illustrators?
Edit like crazy. The Hippo and Gorilla stories all started about three times longer than the finished versions. I spent most of my time just cutting words. And don't get too attached to anything. Sometimes a clever sentence that you're really proud of no longer works with the story you've written. Let it go. If you want to write, make the time. If you have two kids and a full-time job, write at night. You'll be happy you did. And if no publisher will publish you, publish yourself. You can do that these days. It's a wonderful thing!
What's are you currently working on?
I'm working on a few things. More Hippo and Gorilla, for one. We also plan to re-release my first picture book, The Dog Who Loved the Good Life, which was originally published by Henry Holt & Co. a while back. I'm working on a chapter book series too.
It's a pleasure to welcome Gold Coast Children's Author, Kerry Brown to share her Christmas memories and traditions.
How did you celebrate Christmas as a child?
I grew up in Northern Western Australia near the beach so there was lots of swimming, too much food, late afternoon naps and lots of family time. I love Christmas day - it is the one time every one is on board for a lazy, cruisy day surrounded by food, laughter and fun!
Do you have a family Christmas tradition? Tell us about it.
Every Christmas I take my children shopping to buy one new decoration each. (Good quality ones form David Jones or Myer) After Christmas the kids carefully wrap each of their unique decorations up and place them in their own box labelled with the year they bought each of them. When they grow up and leave home they will have their own special supply of tree decorations to place on their very own tree.
Have you celebrated Christmas in another country?
Yes I have in England before. I LOVED the traditional hot luncheon, the snow, the eggnog and the cold for a change. With the heat and humidity we are having here in Queensland at the moment I'd love to do it again!
What will you be reading over Christmas?
I went to the library last week and got out all the children's picture books and novels I have wanted to read for a very long time. Some are re - reads. I have:
Shaun Tan's 'The Arrival'
Michael Gerard Bauer's, 'Eric Vale - Epic Fail'
Enid Blyton's The Enchanted Wood
'Maudie and Bear' by Jan Ormerod
And a book by Andy Stanton called 'Stirling and the Canary'. (I love Andy Stanton - I find him extremely funny and my kids love him too.)
Then I might just try and read an adult novel........... to be different :)
It's a fun and exciting time of year especially fun to learn what authors get up to. My next guest blogger is children's author Caroline Stills.
What does Christmas mean to you?
Christmas to me is about celebrating family and being thankful for the wonderful life we have.
How did you celebrate Christmas as a child?
My family lived on a farm in NZ. Before each Christmas, my dad would cut a branch from one of the pine trees that grew nearby so we always had a ‘real’ tree to decorate. I now associate the scent of pine with Christmas.
I remember the excitement of trying to stay awake on Christmas Eve to hear Father Christmas and his reindeer landing on our roof but I could never manage to keep my eyes open for long enough. My siblings and I usually received a new outfit for Christmas along with some toys. I felt special wearing my new clothes to Christmas Mass where I enjoyed singing Christmas carols.
Do you have a family Christmas tradition? Tell us about it.
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To me, having children around is what makes Christmas so special. Just like when I was a child, I now make sure my children always have a real tree to decorate on the first weekend in December (though it is now delivered to us by the local scout group). I love seeing how excited my girls get before Christmas, writing letters to Santa, making cards for their friends, and making and buying gifts for family. At least one day immediately before Christmas is spent in the kitchen, together, making special treats to share with extended family (who we always catch up with around Christmas) - like chocolate truffles and a gingerbread house.
On Christmas day itself, it’s fun to get up in the morning to watch my daughters excitedly open their gifts from Santa. Even if the day is hot, the main meal on Christmas day is always roast veggies with ham and turkey, followed by Christmas pudding served with my mum’s special brandy sauce. I am blessed to have such a beautiful healthy loving family and I always reflect on this on Christmas day.
What will you be reading over Christmas?
Another tradition with my immediate family (me, hubby, children) is to spend a few days at the beach sometime in January. It’s all about relaxing and spending time together, and there is always time for a good book or two. This holiday I hope to read “World War Z” by Max Brooks (love a good zombie story before the movie comes out next year, and “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn which is on many “best reads” list for 2012.
A very happy festive season to you, Renee, and to all your blog readers.
Caroline Stills
Only 4 sleeps till Christmas and a huge welcome to popular children's author, DC Green.
Tell us about your favourite Christmas memory?When I was a boy, my whole family spent every Christmas holidays camping in a huge canvas tent at Scotts Head on the NSW North Coast. While the adults would gurgle away their afternoons at the local bowling club, us kids were free to roam ‘Lord of the Flies’ style – surfing, climbing trees and cliffs, exploring the bush, catching fish, cicadas and ghost crabs and generally having the sort of wild, unsupervised fun that would land parents in all sorts of trouble today!
Which book would you recommend people read this Christmas?I wouldn’t be much of an author without gratuitously self-promoting my latest (and final!) book in the ZAPP series, Erasmus James and the Grat Siege. This funny and moving story features mutant chooks, ninja horses, a cast of thousands and a desperate siege conducted by an army of giant, armour-covered rats! Oh, and all with the fate of the universe at stake!!
How are you celebrating this year?
Hopefully I’ll be able to sneak out for an uncrowded, super-early surf before everyone else wakes up! Then will follow the annual present-opening frenzy (which is especially enjoyed by my tinsel and box-loving guard cats) and the traditional massive lunch of over-eating with family and friends.
What’s the best and worst present you’ve ever received?
The two were combined! When I was eight, I received an amazing inflatable kite. It took half an hour to blow up and was only in the air for 30 seconds before another boy tested HIS new Christmas present: an air rifle! BANG! My present was an exploded, shredded plastic skin, and I was back to catching cicadas.
It's a delight to welcome popular children's author and illustrator
Christina Booth to Books for Little Hands.
How did you celebrate Christmas as a child?
I grew up across the road from the beach and I spent summer in my bathers and thongs. Christmas started for us when the tree went up, usually on Christmas eve. Then we would get all dressed up and go to a midnight service and sing carols. My brother and I would be out of bed well before our parents and poke around the tree. My Dad would go and collect my Grandad from the nursing home and then we would have a yummy lunch (not a traditional one as my Mum is Dutch) and then we would spend the afternoon opening presents and playing with our new treasures. No presents were opened until after lunch! Sometimes the kids from the area would all meet up in the afternoon at the beach and share our bounties and go swimming. One year we took the boat out and went fishing or in the evenings (it didn't get dark until after 9 pm) we would go for a family walk with friends and watch the kangaroos and wombats in the bush.
Do you have a family Christmas tradition?
A newer tradition we love is that our family gets up for a Christmas breakfast. Because my husband works at a hospital he often has to work on Christmas day so this is a tradition we began so we could have a Christmas meal together before the day was over. We all sit around in our pyjama's and have a yummy leisurely breakfast together, a rarity in our house as we are all coming and going at different times and during the year my son lives away for uni.
We hang our stockings on our chairs and set the table ready the night before after we get beck from church. Some of us get up early to prepare the food. Last year a Nerf gun war occurred to get the sleepy heads out of bed! We all buy a small gift for the other members of the family, something that is special to them, and put them in the stockings. Over breakfast we open our stocking gifts as often we don't get back together as a family until the evening. We choose to wait to open our tree gifts until 'Dad' gets home so he doesn't miss out on the fun. Our breakfast has become one of the most anticipated parts of our Christmas day.
Have you celebrated Christmas in another country?
Yes, twice. Once as a teenager and a few years ago when we took the children to Europe to celebrate my Opa's 90th birthday. We also travelled to London for a few days and loved the winter Christmas atmosphere, putting those traditional Christmas cards in perspective.
We celebrated in Holland. A very different experience from Australia. They have first Christmas and second Christmas. First Christmas is spent with immediate family and any other family you can gather with. Food is an important part of the day and the whole day is spent preparing it. Small gifts are exchanged in the evenings (well, they were in our family) once everyone had arrived. The gifts were tokens, things you needed, not the huge expensive items that seem to have swallowed our culture. Second Christmas, our boxing day, is spent doing it all over again. Lots of food preparation and a huge meal spent with the family you didn't see on Christmas number one and friends.
Everyone goes back to work as normal and even back to school after that. Then they prepare for the next big celebration with yummy traditional foods, New Years Eve!
What will you be reading over Christmas?
My plan is to squeeze in some of the books on my to read pile that is steadily growing taller. I have to work over the holiday season illustrating two books but hey, I love it. Some of the books on my pile (certain to be added to after Christmas gifts are given) is the Roald Dahl Biography, The Book Thief (to be re-read for book club), Piano Lessons (Anna Goldsworthy), The Perks of Being a Wall Flower (recommended by my son), Twenty Years A-Growing (Maurice O'Sullivan) and Shade's Children (Garth Nix). My Husband recently purchased some weird comic books I am expected to read as well, Dr. Who meets Star Trek! Supposedly they are really good....
Happy Reading and Happy Christmas everyone!
2012 has been a big year for my next children's author and guest blogger, Aleesah Darlison.
Aleesah shares her Christmas memories and traditions, highlights of the 2012 and how she plans to celebrate with her family and friends.
Tell us about your favourite Christmas memory?
For me, kids really make Christmas so any Christmas I’ve spent with my gorgeous husband and our three kids rates as the best.
Which book would you recommend people read this Christmas?
One of mine, perhaps? Unicorn Riders is fantastic for girls aged 7 - 10 years who like fantasy adventures with a twist/surprise ending. There are six books to choose in that series so everyone’s a winner.
And Little Good Wolf with its gorgeous red Christmas-y cover suits the festive season right down to the ground. Perfect for boys who like a laugh and are learning to read independently.
How are you celebrating this year?
We’ll stay at home, probably getting up at the crack of dawn to open presents then share the day together. My kids are aged 9, 8 and 5 so they’re super excited about Christmas. Thankfully, I’ve done all my Christmas shopping, so I’m in a good place right now.
What’s the best and worst present you’ve ever received?
Best present: anything my husband gives me is usually lovely. He’s got a knack for buying me gifts. He’s actually incredibly good at picking clothes for me, but don’t tell him I said that.
Worst present: my dad is a serial thong (the footwear, not the underwear!) and bath towel giver. Although both do come in handy, it would be nice to vary the theme now and then.
What does Christmas mean to you?Family. Fun. Food.
What’s your favourite Christmas story?
I quite like Arthur Christmas, which was an animated movie released last year. I liked how the creators modernised the concepts behind Christmas.
Have you got any hints for Santa?
Books make great presents and they’re easy to wrap!
Do you have a special message for Christmas and the New Year?
I feel like a highway cop saying this, but seriously: slow down. We all live life far too quickly and don’t appreciate the world around us. We all try to fit too much into our day. We all drive far too fast. Especially at this time of year. So, yep, definitely slow down in everything we do and make the most of each day.
How did you celebrate Christmas as a child?
We’d get up very early to go to church. We lived in a tiny country village and our minister had to travel from parish to parish during the day and we were always first cab of the rank. The church was a small, white, weatherboard building with the most beautiful stained glass windows, red carpet and stained-timber pews. It was a very spiritual and special place and I still remember it clearly. Then we’d come home, open our Santa and family presents and have breakfast. We’d then usually have lunch and spend the afternoon with our larger family at my grandmother’s house, which was just down the road. Sounds idyllic, but there were often arguments! There are some strong personalities in my family.
Do you have a family Christmas tradition? Tell us about it.Not really, we just love being together on Christmas Day then usually go away for a holiday several days afterwards. This year, I made my very first gingerbread house and I was rather impressed (and surprised!) with the outcome. Perhaps I’ll have to make that a tradition. Oh, the other thing is that our Christmas tree goes up on 1 December and comes down on 31 December and we always take the kids out to see the Christmas lights at night.
Have you celebrated Christmas in another country?
Not yet, but I’d love to have a white Christmas.
What will you be reading over Christmas?
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. I won it at the SCBWI Christmas party last week and I’m looking forward to reading it. Christmas holidays is about the only time I’ll have to do so!
What are you looking forward to about Christmas?
Not having to work, being able to sleep in (if the kids let me!) and having my husband around for a while.
Tell us about your year of writing, book launches, school visits, etc.
2012 has been a huge year for me. I’m exhausted from all the work I’ve done but elated at the opportunities I’ve been offered and the successes I’ve achieved.
I’ve released five books, travelled to Hong Kong for school visits, toured Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Moree, the Manning Valley, the Hunter Valley and oodles of other places conducting school visits and author talks and writing workshops. I’ve been a guest speaker at several festivals and launched the fourth book in my Totally Twins series, ‘Birthday Bonanza’ at the Sutherland Shire Writers Festival.
I’ve also written two books in my Unicorn Riders series, Books 7 and 8, due for release June 2013. I’ve had a new fantasy series accepted by Walker Books, the first instalment of which will be released in September 2013. I’m currently (eagerly!) waiting to see the draft illustrations for a picture book called Little Meerkat, to be published by Wombat Books and illustrated by Shannon Melville.
I was a National Year of Reading Ambassador for Taree City Libraries and I created and edited an anthology project which featured local children’s short stories and poems. The anthology was called ‘We Are Now We Are The Future’ and was launched on 7 December at Taree Library to a large crowd.
I’ve had an awesome time during 2012 and have been supported by my loving family, my publishers and the media every step of the way. I only hope 2013 will be as enjoyable as this year has been!
What’s on your Christmas menu?
Seafood and chocolate pudding.
It's very exciting to be posting 'Mini Christmas Author Interviews' on Book for Little Hands but it's particularly joyous to interview author and friend, Dimity Powell about her Christmas traditions and to celebrate her debut Christmas book- PS Who Stole Santa's Mail?
Tell us about your favourite Christmas memory?-1.JPG)
I don’t have just one. Christmas is my all-time favourite season. Having grown up in the searing summer heat of South Australia, means memories of devouring buckets of fresh home-grown stone fruits around the pool are burned deep into my psyche. In spite of the heat, mum also produced three roasts and a ham each year for Christmas lunch! Food is an inescapable Christmas memory. Perhaps my fondest overseas memory was experiencing my first white Christmas in London with my sister. Mum and Dad flew over to visit us. It was an indescribably magic time of celebration – and food! These days, I just can’t go past listening to as much Christmas music as I can and scouring the neighbourhood with my family for the brightest, most light festooned house we can find.
Which book would you recommend people read this Christmas?Well, word on the street is that there’s this fabulous new children’s chapter book out, packed to bursting with elves, magic, odd smells, poisoned reindeer and loads of laughs, called PS Who Stole Santa’s Mail?, that’s really worth reading. No honestly, I would never misquote a child! Apart from my own Chrissy book, I adore anything with a remotely Christmas theme and feel it’s more fitting reading them at this time of year. A couple of standout picture books that I recommend this season are: Applesauce and the Christmas Miracle by Glenda Millard and Stephen Michael King and The Christmas Giant by Steve Light, for their simple yet enduring themes, and gorgeous illustrations. There are billions more but it would take a life time of Christmases to list them all.
How are you celebrating this year?
Very humbly. We spent the last festive season in the UK with relatives waiting for it to snow. It never did but it was still magical. This year, I’ve been incredibly busy with the release of my book so have not even managed to shop, wrap or tie a bow around one single present yet. The tree is still not decorated and my house could do with some attention. But I have steamed a pudding and plan to share it with my family on Chrissy day along with farm fresh duck.
What’s the best and worst present you’ve ever received?This is going to sound corny but there’s never been a worst. Anything that anyone has taken the trouble to get or make and give is always received with thanks and joy. Unchecked behaviour and comments are not so well received at this time of year though. Perhaps the best pressie was the birth of my first born a couple of months before Christmas; to share our first family Christmas together was a dream come true. (Corny again but true).
I'm delighted to welcome Australian author, Tania McCartney to Books for Little Hands to share her Christmas stories and delights. You may recognise Tania from her comprehensive writing and reviewing children's book blog called
Kids Book Review or her book series;
Riley the little Aviator.How did you celebrate Christmas as a a child? Oh – lots of ‘70s kitsch. Plastic tree, swathes of gold tinsel, prawn cocktails, punch, pillowcase Christmas stockings and sliding on wet plastic on the front lawn. All the good stuff.
Do you have a family Christmas tradition? Tell us about it.
We love the advent countdown and on 24 December, the kids receive a brand new tree ornament. Every year, I create a new advent calendar – this time it was made from envelopes. We also, of course, leave out beer and cookies for Santa, as well as carrots for the reindeer. Our gingerbread house, which I also make, is usually smashed to pieces on Christmas Eve, too. It often takes a hammer. On Christmas Day, we have big bowls of coffee under the tree (well, the adults do) and we nibble on special, personalised cookies as we unwrap the presents. Someone is the Christmas Elf – they hand out the gifts and everyone waits and watches as each person opens their gift. Anything to string out the gift-giving! We tend to have a traditional roast for lunch; I’d love to change it up but the family loves it too much.
Have you celebrated Christmas in another country before?
have. I’ve celebrated it in England, China and Vietnam. The Vietnam Christmas at Hoi An was particularly poignant because we were travelling and had none of our normal traditions. We slurped noodles instead of slicing ham. It was bittersweet – beautiful and different but also a little sad to forgo the traditions that means so much. This year we are travelling just after Christmas instead. Because we’ll be gone nearly 6 weeks, I’ve forgone the massive, traditional tree, and have put up a little feather tree instead, along with white paper lanterns. It’s the most simple thing I’ve ever done for Christmas, and I love it.
What will you be reading over Christmas?
I will be reading Storteller: The Life of Roald Dahl by Donald Sturrock, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. Oh – and Christmas picture books with the kids.
New to the Sunny State-Queensland, and here to share her Christmas memories and traditions is author and Gold Coast friend, Candice Lemon-Scott.
What are you looking forward to about Christmas?
I’m going camping with my family over Christmas this year. This will be the first time I’ve been away on holidays for Christmas so I can’t wait to spend it with my family, enjoying the beach and the warm Queensland weather.
Tell us about your year of writing, book launches, school visits, etc.
This year has been huge for me because my children’s book ‘Hubert and the Magic Glasses’ and my novel for adults ‘Unloched’ both came out within a few months of each other. It was a complete coincidence and it’s meant I’ve enjoyed joining in with local events like the Gold Coast Writers’ Festival. I’ve also visited quite a few schools including: QIC; Helensvale State Primary School and Payne Road State Primary School. I even went to a Smarter Kids Montessori Pre-School, which was loads of fun. All in all, it’s been great fun doing some ‘magical’ activities with the kids based around the magic glasses idea. I also run a writing service, so it was an absolute joy to discover this year that one of my talented clients, Vacen Taylor, also received her first publishing contract, for a children's story I worked on with her.
What does Christmas mean to you?
Christmas to me is all about spending time with my husband and our gorgeous children. There’s nothing more exciting to me than seeing the look of wonder on a child’s face as they take in the magical spirit of Christmas. I’ve also hoped to pass on to them that Christmas is a time of giving as much as it is about receiving. Part of that was taking part in the Angel Walk with my daughters to raise funds for Paradise Kids, a charity on the Gold Coast that supports children experiencing grief from loss or change.
What’s on your Christmas menu?
It will probably be a BBQ lunch by the beach – with some tofu kebabs for me, being vegetarian. I love the summer fruits too, so lots of yummy strawberries, raspberries, mango and cherries – mmmm!
Join me in warmly welcoming author and teacher at the Sydney Writing Centre, Pamela Freeman.
How did you celebrate Christmas as a child?After Midnight Mass (very exciting to be up so late) all my family's friends would come over and we would cut the Christmas cake. Then presents in the morning and a huge family dinner. The adults all went to sleep in the afternoon while we kids played with our new stuff.
Do you have a family Christmas tradition? Tell us about it.
My grandmother, and then my mother, always made the traditional boiled Christmas puddings. I have inherited Nana's cauldron, so now I am the pudding maker for the clan. The process starts six weeks before Christmas with the making of the puddings and hanging them up in their cloths to mature. That's when I know that Christmas is just around the corner. And you get a wish each year as you stir the pudding!
Have you celebrated Christmas in another country?
I lived in London for a couple of years and celebrated Christmas there. The strangest thing for me was having no cherries on the Christmas table! When I was little that was the only time we ever bought cherries.
What will you be reading over Christmas?I teach novel writing at the Sydney Writers' Centre, and I will be reading some of my students' work over Christmas. I'm looking forward to it - I have some very talented students!
I might slip in some crime, fantasy and history as well. But really, my holiday reading comes in January - Christmas is usually too busy to read much!
I hope you all have a wonderful peaceful Christmas and a lovely New Year!
It's my pleasure to welcome Australian author Sophie Masson to Books for Little Hands.
How did you celebrate Christmas as a child?
We had really traditional Christmases. My parents are French but we lived in Australia most of the time (apart from going back to France every two or three years for a couple of months each time) and so we had a French Christmas but adapted to Australian conditions. For instance though we still had the 'Buche de Noel' or Christmas log cake, my mother made it not was a baked cake but as one made from crushed sponge finger biscuits mixed with melted butter and hot coffee, shaped into a log, decorated with chocolate and set in the fridge!
We often had the celebrations Christmas Eve and we would go to bed really early then get woken up about 11.30 pm. We were allowed a peek at the Christmas tree with all the presents piled around it then we went off to Midnight Mass which was really beautiful, the church all lit up, smelling gorgeous, a huge crib, Christmas carols and then home for Mum's gorgeous big Christmas meal, the opening of presents. We didn't go to bed till 3 in the morning, often! Later Mum and Dad got sick of waking us up, plus we got to be grumpy teenagers who didn't want to go to bed early on Christmas Eve, so the celebrations shifted to Christmas Day. But they were still just as great.
I have so many good memories of Christmas thanks to my parents so I really wanted to pass that on to my kids. My dad always made sure we had a totally magical Christmas. He's a bit of a kid himself and so there we had things like letters from Father Christmas, a whole ritual of dressing the tree, special outings just before Christmas where he took us to a department store and bought us a really nice outfit then took us to lunch, and the nativity scene too on our mantelpiece was really special because he didn't put it all out straight away but over time so first we had Mary and Joseph approaching the 'inn stable' which was made of stones, then they settled in, the shepherds were in the distance, then closer, Baby Jesus appeared only just before we went to midnight Mass, while the three kings took till Twelfth Night to arrive! I just loved it. Do you have a family Christmas tradition? Tell us about it.
Because my parents had made things so special for me and my siblings as children, we all try to do that for our kids. None of that cynical disparaging of Christmas in our family! I love looking for presents and spend ages, months before, tracking down the perfect thing- something unusual and especially for the person. When the kids were little, I did the whole ritual, complete with Father Christmas letters, and always made a Buche de Noel the way Mum always made (still do). We made a real ritual of decorating the tree a few days before Christmas, and we kept it up till Twelfth Night. I was too much of a sleepyhead to keep up the Christmas Eve thing but Christmas Day was special, with a big meal, presents (early!) And Christmas carols at Mass!
My husband's English so we also do this combined traditional thing, English and French, which is symbolised by the two cakes that form the centrepiece of the Christmas dessert: my Buche de Noel, and David's luscious, fruit-heavy, Armagnac-laced Christmas cake! These days too with the kids grown up we tend to do a big family Christmas with our kids (including son in law!) plus my siblings and their families if they're around (we are still very much a travelling kind of family!) Last year it was all at our place, and totally magical. This year it'll be a big celebration at my nephew's, a kind of double celebration too as he and his wife have just had a new baby. To me, Christmas is all about family, fun, magic, joy.
Have you celebrated Christmas in another country?
Yes! In France, when we were back one year. It was absolutely gorgeous- just as wonderful as in Australia, but with added snow!
What will you be reading over Christmas?
A new French novel I asked for, which is apparently fabulous, by a young French-Swiss writer called Joel Dicker http://joeldicker.com/ called La vérité sur l'affaire Harry Quebert (the truth on the Harry Quebert case). Some people are calling him the 'Swiss Stieg Larsson'! It'll be translated soon enough I expect into English but I can't wait for that and as I read French as well as English, I asked my husband to order me a copy!
I'm also going to be egotistically re-reading my new book which will just be out in time for Christmas (The Romance Diaries: Ruby, written under the pen-name of Jenna Austen.) Its official release is New Year's Day, but it's going to be in the shops not long before Christmas.
What are you looking forward to this Christmas?
I'm looking forward to having Christmas with my wife (our first together married- we ran away to Scotland and tied the knot in a castle in October) and the delicious plum pudding she's just made, and to being happy.
Tell us about your year of writing, book launches, school visits, etc.
2012 has been a great year, with my 21st book, Phyllis Wong and the Forgotten Secrets of Mr Okyto, being published by Allen & Unwin and much promotional work for that, including magic performed by Sue-Anne Webster as Phyllis Wong would perform it!
What does Christmas mean to you?
Christmas means a time to take stock and to be thankful for what I have and for the chance to be able to write my stories and live peacefully.
What’s on your Christmas menu?
Christmas menu: Everything home-cooked: chicken, ham, plum pudding, fruit cake and loads of delicious fresh fruit and lots of chocolate and some fine malt whiskies I brought back from Scotland :-)
to Books for Little Hands.
Tell us about your favourite Christmas memory?
Snow in England, although I'm told that fifty years down the track snow is no longer a given. Snow fights as a seven-year-old were pretty memorable, silly as though that may now seem.
Which book would you recommend people read this Christmas?
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve.
How are you celebrating this year?
I suspect we'll be travelling to Garfield to see my partner's mother. Now to find a last minute booking in a restaurant. I guess the Garfield pub is always an option, albeit a last choice :-)
What’s the best and worst present you’ve ever received?
Best present as a kid was a wagon train set. See how easily we were pleased back in the fifties! Recently my partner gave me a laptop for Xmas (in advance so I could get Office Home 2010 installed before Xmas. I love practical presents. Which maybe explains why I gave my partner an iron one year. Nah, just joking. It was an ironing board.
By:
Renee Taprell,
on 12/12/2012
Blog:
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To kick start our Mini Christmas Interviews on Books for Little Hands, I'd like to give a warm welcome to Australian author, Josie Montano. How did you celebrate Christmas as a child?
I was brought up in an Italian family therefore we had 'panettone' which is Italian Christmas cake, and lots and lots of food on christmas day but not traditional ham, turkey etc. We had home-made lasagna, roast chicken and potatoe in Italian herbs, etc, about 5 courses. Then everyone would have a sleep, then a walk, then start again with seafood of the evening! We always put up a christmas tree and I remember being quite the ADHD (or possibly OCD!) child and spending hours under that tree - shaking, prodding, feeling, listening to the wrapped presents, trying my hardest to guess what was in them. I have become such an expert over the years that I can now guess what my presents are and my family hate it!
Do you have a family Christmas tradition? Tell us about it.
We have christmas stockings for each person in the house, so we always give each a major present but then fill the stockings with little presents/surprises - after breakfast we sit in the loungeroom and take turns pulling a gift from our stocking and opening it, it's quite a round robin event, and in the end we are surrounded by christmas wrapping - the dog has a ball playing in it all!
Have you celebrated Christmas in another country?
Yes I was lucky enough to spend Christmas in Italy when I was 11 years old. It was very different, they had their first snow fall on that christmas eve for the winter, so a white christmas was fantastical.
In Italy Santa is called 'Babo Natale' but he doesn't really give out presents, children have to wait until 6 January for 'La Befana' which is a witch who travels the world giving out gifts. It was my first 'La Befana' and I received presents as well as a piece of fake coal (soap) which apparently was one of the original gifts 'La Befana' would hand out (obviously it was a precious commodity in the villages!). What will you be reading over Christmas?
I will be reading a YA novel titled Linked Through Time by Jessica Tornese, a fellow Solstice Publishers author - we are reviewing each others YA novels.
It's with great pleasure to be interviewing children's author and friend Dimity Powell about her debut book, P.S Who stole Santa's mail?
When did you first know that you wanted to be an author?
At some point in Year 9 I think. Composition English assignments were my favourite subject (after Biology). I revelled in exciting openings and poignant, clever endings. It was all the middle bits that needed working on! I never really sat down and said, ‘This is what I want to be.’ I just really enjoyed composing tales, mainly of adventure and mystery and usually involving horses. I’ve kept every story, and mock book I ever produced. From time to time, I pull them out for inspiration and a really good laugh. I actually wanted to be a vet or librarian but couldn’t work out how to combine these two, so studied Hotel Management instead.
What are the greatest obstacles you've experienced on your writing journey?
Timing. Having the greatest idea in the world is not going to get you anywhere if someone else released a book along similar lines last week. I find that very frustrating but par for the course.
What do you love most about writing books?
Knowing that they will be read…I hope. I want kids to get lost in stories like I did as a kid; to feel safe, inspired, challenged, and enlightened. Stories are the key to learning and understanding.
Do you have any tips for writers about the writing process or the path to publishing?
Act like a sponge and absorb as much information as you can. Establish yourself within a writerly community be it online, in a writers’ group or by attending festivals to network. Not only will you meet wonderful people but the experience you gain is worth volumes. And embrace each rejection as emphatically as each small success. Remember, your ship will never come in if you don’t send any out. So, just keep writing…
You visit many schools to share your love of reading and books. Why is this important to you and how do the children react?
When I was just 8 years old the late Colin Thiele visited my primary school. I sat, front row centre, at the feet of this amazing author, completely and utterly enthralled by his every word. It was like listening to royalty, only better. Here was the man behind the stories and the worlds in which I dwelt for hours and hours. I adore any time I spend at schools with children whether it’s simply for a reading, a workshop or part of a festival. It often involves a lot of hard work, but the rewards are the looks on the children’s faces, their probing, quirky questions and their undiluted fascination in you. You’re their royalty especially if they are avid readers.
The discovery that authors are living breathing beings, not just the name under the title of a book, is a marvellous one for most kids. It makes their involvement with what they read far more personal and tangible; just like meeting Colin Thiele did for me. I think I gain more from conducting writing workshops with kids than they do from me. There’s no finer feeling than when a child approaches you and tentatively asks to share their writing with you.
When do you feel most inspired to write?
I’d like to say every single day but that’s just not true, although I want to write nearly every day. Getting one’s debut novel over the line has consumed most of my creative mojo and all of my time this year. I do still get sudden wonderful urges to write, especially when I can clear enough head space to allow the ideas to swirl around, uninterrupted, and amalgamate into something worth jotting down. This often happens whilst I’m driving. A habit I may have to curb…That said, once I begin writing, I am nearly always inspired to write on and on.
What advice would you have for anyone wanting to write a book in your genre?
Read! Books from that genre especially but also anything else you have time for. I do not know how anyone can write for kids without having a clue what they actually like to read. I like to hang out in libraries too and watch what kids borrow or talk about with their mates. Also, ask them questions about what they love to read, why, what would they like to change or see more of.
In conjunction with this blog tour, you can go in the draw to win one of three copies of the book PS: Who Stole Santa’s Mail. Send the answer to this question: 'What do you think Santa wants for Christmas?'
The competition will close at midnight on November 30th 2012. All entries will be assigned a number, and that number will be put in a draw. The winners will be notified by email. The book can be purchased at your local bookshop. If it is not in stock, ask them to order it for you. A signed copy can also be purchased from http://morrispublishingaustralia.com.
Here are the dates for Dimity's blog tour so jump onboard and don't forget to enter in the competition for your chance to win a copy of PS: Who stole Santa's Mail?
I'm honoured to welcome popular Australian children's author Deborah Abela to Books for Little Hands. Deborah has dropped by on herblog tour to share her spooky writing inspiration for her latest Ghost Club Series Book, The Haunted School.
When did you first know that you wanted to be an author?
When I was 7. I used to watch lots of TV (Get Smart, The Addams Family, The Munsters…there were a lot) and apart from my semi-serious aspirations of accepting Oscars with hairbrush speeches into the mirror, I mostly marvelled at the writing….how week after week writers came up with such great ideas and dialogue. My sister was also intrigued and became a playwright.
What was your road to publication like?
I wrote and produced a National TV Show for kids for 7 years at Network TEN. It was conveyor belt style writing where every day for 6 days a week we had to come up with ideas for the hosts and write their scripts. It was great pressure cooker experience, but I also craved writing something that would take time and so wrote a few novels in my spare time. My first novel was Max Remy, In Search of the Time and Space Machine. I wrote it in six weeks and sent it to 6 publishers. They all sent hand written letters to say they liked it but, no. A year later I had a call from Random House who said they not only liked it, but they wanted more. I quit my job in TV and have been writing novels ever since.
Tell us about your new Ghost Club series.
It was inspired by Charles Dickens, who not only could see ghosts but formed the Ghost Club in 1862. This was a time of Spiritualism and great advances in inventions and technology, such as the phonograph, and Dickens wanted to use this technology to prove ghosts existed. I decided to create my own club where two of the most successful catchers are 11-year-old twins, Angeline and Edgar Usher. Like the real club, they investigate haunted sites with specialist equipment, but the Usher children try to convince ghosts to stop their haunting pesky ways.
Do you write with an age group in mind?
As the story unfolds, that becomes clear. Who the characters are and how they act and speak with each other, the tone of the scenes and what needs to happen to advance my story… all that comes together as I write and with it, the audience becomes clearer.
What's your secret to making your book characters come to life?
This is what I love about writing characters, they are like real people you see from afar at a party. At first you know the barest about them…what they look like, what they are wearing, but as you spend more time with them, you know more. This is exactly how it is with characters and so at first you are directing them but after spending more time with them, there is a moment where they take over and you watch them behave, talk, act and it’s delightful and sometimes surprising.
Did you visit any spooky places or surround yourself with any scary paraphernalia for writing material?
Oh I’ve read lots of ghost stories and have visited a few spooky sites, plus my family have their own hauntings that poke up in aural histories. I also have a few pictures around me to help me immerse myself in my imagined locations when I write. The rest springboards from there.
Do you have any routine that you follow before writing? Coffee, no noise, walk etc.
I wake up at about 6am and very soon after that I am working….it’s the time of day when my mind is freshest. I don’t look at anything on the internet before midday and rarely answer the phone. I drink lots of very weak tea and work for about 12 hours, with a break in the middle and time for a brief look at emails at around midday, then I’m away again.
Do you present workshops for school-aged children? If so, what do you share about your writing?
Yes! And I love this! I trained as a teacher before travelling for three years and completing a Communications degree. I then worked in TV for 7 years before writing books and am in schools a lot, but we had such brilliant lecturers, that I remember so much about the practical activities they taught us to use in the class. Kids need very little stimulus before their ideas take off….a photo, a few lines of dialogue…I tell them I was a poor kid from the suburbs but I always had this plan to be a writer and wasn’t going to let anyone stop me and that most writers are very regular people and if they want something badly, they can have it too….but it does take a bit of stubbornness and hard work.
Tell us about your other books.
I’ve always been short and a bit of a coward and grew up at a time when being a girl was a dainty thing and you weren’t expected to have a career or ambition beyond being married and the books I read all had male heroes. So, all of the heroes I write tend to be girls, who get to be messy and brave and find themselves in adventurous situations where they have the chance to save the day. I write about kids trapped in a flooded city with flying machines and sea monsters (Grimsdon), feisty girl spies (Max Remy), a plucky girl who saves a seaside pier (The Remarkable Secret of Aurelie Bonhoffen) and now kids who face ghosts who they find aren’t as scary as most people think, but are simply beings who need a little help and understanding (Ghost Club).
I have just finished the first edit for Ghost Club Part 3: A Transylvanian Tale and am about to start work on book 4….I also potter away on other ideas that wont leave me alone but that I need much more time to get to know better.
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Hi Renee, great book review. I love Tania's work and the books published by the National LIbrary of Australia are always fantastic with a great message :-)
Hi Neridah. Thanks for your comment. It's nice to hear from you. Tania has some amazing picture books with the NLA and Eco Warriors is a great book with an important message.
What a lovely thing to say, Neridah! And thank you for a beautiful review, Renee. I love how creative and imaginative our industry is!