Loved sharing lunch with some of my very favourite illustrators and Davide Cali in Sydney’s beautiful botanical gardens over looking the harbour. Bliss.
David Cali is an original thinker and creator. His ’10 Little Insects’ is an illustrated/manga book which is crazy, real and inspired by Woody Allen and Monty Python.
Published by Wilkins farago dedicated to translating the best of the world’s Kids’ books – books that reach everyone who wants to enquire, laugh at themselves and the world, then come out with a bit more thinking.
www.wilkinsfarago.com.au
It was wonderful to catch up with the brilliant Donna Rawlins, Wayne Harris, Julie Vivas and Ursula Dubosarsky organised by reviewer, children’s critic, Western Sydney Literature officer Judith Ridge.
PS Ursula is just back from New York where she saw the adaptation of her picture book ”The Terrible Plop’ performed on Broadway.
Link: Wayne Harris' site and blog.
Moya Simons,Ann James, Stephen Measday
End of year cheer with Lateral Learning Speaker’s Agency Christmas Party. HAD A FUN, FUN, FUN night with heaps of authors and illustrators.
Moya has NEW hair & Stephen thinks it’s funny, but Ann James is just amused. 
I love the vivacious author Deb Abela
Illustrator Wayne Harris, with brilliant duo team of author Simon French and Illustrator Donna Rawlings with their baby Quinn hugging Dad
HEAPS of GOOD NEWS with Moya Simon’s wonderful ‘Let Me Whisper You my Story (HarperCollins) to be released June 2010, Deb Abela’s Aurelie … coming out in the USA next year, Stephen Measday with a new fantasy series with publisher Little Hare,Sarah Davis with so many new picture books out next year, that I have lost count - look out for her gorgeous FEARLESS writting by Colin Thompson - the fat, endearing FEARLESS dog finding his courage. Look out for the sequels published by ABC Books (HarperCollins imprint) … and lots more. How much TALENT is in OZ!!!!
Author Chris Cheng, holding Quinn, with BiniAuthors Jeni Mawter , Lisa Forrest, Kate Forsyth
Penguins proudly take their partners. Then the polka they present
Bears, camels. monkeys, penguins, elephants and a joyous collection of animals cavort the night away in an amazing dance in an exceptional new picture book by Nina Rycroft.
Then the bears in bright boleros. (Everyone is most impressed.)
Kangaroos are keen on cancan - Such a night they'd never miss
‘Ballroom Bonanza’ was inspired by Nina’s grandfather-in-law who was once the leader of a big band at Blackpool. Five years to create, those who dance with Nina’s characters will find layer after layer of colour, humour, joy, diversity with a little bit of a game to discover an instrument hidden in each scene.
Nina is one of Australia’s bright new talents. Her illustration of quails and penguins is in the exhibition of illustrations from ‘Ballroom Bonanza’ at The Hughenden together with the wonderful works of Sarah Davis, Shan Tan, Wayne Harris, Donna Rawlings and others.
The first time I met Sarah at the SCBWI Conference and saw her work I was drawn into her complex emotional and creative life. Her art is sensitive and thoughtful like her. I knew she’d be one of those special illustrators and the Children’s Book Council has acknowledged it by giving her this prestigious award. I felt moved by it and love the recognition. She deserves it on many levels. Her generosity to SCBWI and to everyone, when she has her own work and family demands is typical of Sarah.
Sarah gave me one of the illustrations from Mending Lucille. It’s so beautiful and hangs in The Hughenden in the Reading Room with illustrators like Shan Tan, Donna Rawlings, Wayne Harris and Carolyn Magerl. I want everyone to admire her art.
Congratulations to a special illustrator, artist, mother of 3 fabulous kids and friend.
