How to use this Page

Picture books featuring native Australian flora and fauna aren’t new. Picture books including natty little extras like accompanying CDs aren’t exactly ground breaking either. However, picture books told with the kind of original verve and swagger like Once a Creepy Crocodile is will have you and the kids laughing and applauding with fresh wild abandon.

Once a Creepy Crocodile is the debut picture book for Queensland author Peter Taylor, a gifted calligrapher and just as skilful picture book creator. His partnership with illustrator Nina Rycroft has produced a corker of a picture book teaming with exuberant Australiana and bouncing rhyme. It is set to the rhyming metre of the well-loved song, Waltzing Matilda and once you recognise this, it is virtually impossible not to read it (aloud) along to the melody.

It all starts one dreamy afternoon by the riverbank, as creepy old Croc approaches baby Brolga with an invitation to join him for afternoon tea. Brolga, being prone to a bit of a party, is very tempted but is repeatedly dissuaded by his bushland buddies who fear Crocodile’s intentions are deceptively malign.

Croc persists with a seduction of scrumptious sweeties and sly smiles. Once again, Brolga’s friends intervene until Spotty Snake slithers in with an offer of his own. Will Brolga ever learn?

Croc eventually hosts his magnificent afternoon tea but you will have to sing your way through this yourself to find out just who survived to enjoy it with him.

Once a Creepy Crocodile is an entertaining Aussie mash-up of The Gruffalo meets the best of billabong bush lore. Taylor’s attention to metre makes each verse a cinch to read even if you are not ‘singing’ the tune, although I prefer the latter. He also gives plenty of airplay to some of the less well-known bush critters including the boo book owl and blossom bat, creating a large but colourful and endearing cast of characters.

 Nina Rycroft’s full page, smack-in-you-in-the-face illustrations are a pure joy to behold. They trace the insidious attempts of both Creepy Croc and Spotty Snake to lure in naïve Brolga with bright, bold abandon, which younger readers will swoon over. Teabags splish and cupcakes hurtle across placid watercolour backdrops, which feature vivid pops of accentuating colour; the bright green bumps of Croc, the indigo waters of the creek, and Spotty’s deep amethyst coils for example.

Once a Creepy Crocodile is a feast for the eyes and a treat for your soul and above all, plain good old fashioned fun.

I have just returned from the National Conference of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) 2014 in Sydney where Peter Taylor launched his new book. Like all fine things, the project was a long labour of love, taking him many moons to perfect. Thankfully, it won’t take you as long to read, but once you do reach the end, you will want to read it again and again and again. A book with sustained readability that sounds good and has lots of Aussie heart. What more could you ask for. Tea anyone?

The Five Mile Press Out now and available here soon!

Worrisome wombats, bouncing bilbies and even talking gumnuts may not be your de rigueur when it comes to picture book characters. Yet their antics make up a substantial percentage of picture book storylines and provide vital introductions and links between Aussie kids and our rich, endemic Australian flora and fauna.

Look around and you’ll find dozens of titles touching on everything from spoonbills to fruit bats, puggles to possums and jacanas to joeys. Many are by authors you know and trust offering true works of art worthy of coveting and collecting. Here is a tiny selection of some of the more recent releases.

Perennial author illustrator, Kerry Argent, has a tatty new First Reader series out now tailored for pre-schoolers. Small colour-popping paperbacks perfect for little hands and new readers feature old mate, Woolly Wombat, his bestie, Bandicoot and a swag of other Aussie birds and beasts in easy-to-read adventures. Beautiful introductions to counting, colour, rhythm and language conventions. Scholastic Australia March 2014

Book club nuts along with reluctant readers will adore Margaret Wild’s and Ben Wood’s The Bush Book Club. It has a little bit of brilliance on each page; rhyme, comedy, cuteness, colour and galahs! Bilby sorely needs to slow down and smell the ink but he is too busy and bouncy to read let alone actually enjoy a book until one fateful night he discovers what it’s like for his head to be ‘full of words and stories’. A marvellous look at what it takes to appreciate the wonderment of stories and a must in the classroom and home. Modestly adorable. Omnibus Books March 2014

Rhyming picture books are not always easy to digest (when produced badly), but done well they glide across our palates as smoothly as birthday cake frosting. So it comes as little surprise that Possum’s Big Surprise by celebrated duo, Colin Buchanan and Nina Rycroft, is a feast for 4 + year-olds and above. Fun, frisky, teasing verse coupled with super-rich, eye-pleasing water-colour illustrations, an Aussie bush backdrop and a perky possum named Flossy, give kids plenty of reasons to keep page turning. Scholastic Australia May 2014

Slightly more serious but quietly impressionable is Karana: the Story of the Father Emu, by Brisbane and Wakka Wakka leader, Uncle Joe Kirk and Sandi Harrold. In spite of the unwieldy title, this cyclical story is written in simple rhyming verse which unfolds easily leaving the reader fulfilled, enlightened and emphatic towards father Emu as he assumes the role of parent, nurturer, and chief educator for his chicks; just as father figures in many indigenous cultures do. An enjoyable tale to share with children because of its simplicity and heart but it was the emus’ eyes that clenched it for me; cute and clever! Scholastic Australia May 2014

 A Feast for Wombat features another Aboriginal author, Sally Morgan and first time picture book illustrator, Tania Ezinger.

Wombat is your typical underground slumber-champion with a strong predilection for his burrow. He rarely surfaces. When he does he encounters the goodtime antics of his friends, Goanna, Magpie and Dingo but is slow to join them in play until their persistence and kind-hearted surprise re-instates how much they value Wombat’s friendship.

Sounds a little trite and ordinary I know, however Morgan attempts to balance Wombat’s self-depreciating, woe-be-gone attitude with a questioning optimism that he displays by complimenting his friends’ various talents and by trying to replicate them albeit with little success.

I was pleased Wombat’s self-doubt is finally conquered and replaced with a greater sense of self-worth however felt a little muddled by the oscillating attitudes of Wombat’s friends towards him; sometimes generous and grateful, sometimes hurtfully frank. Four year-olds are unlikely to dwell on this (it is after all how true friends can be) gaining immense pleasure instead from Erzinger’s spirited acrylic based artwork. Keep an eye out for the hapless little spinifex mouse on each page too. Gorgeous! Omnibus Books April 2014

Whether these titles stand up alongside such favourites as May Gibbs’ Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, Narelle Oliver’s Don’t Let a Spoonbill in the Kitchen! and Fox and Fine Feathers, Yvonne Morrison’s The Emu that Laid the Golden Egg or Jackie French’s Diary of a Wombat to name a few, time will tell. But like the tiniest creature in the Aussie bush, there is bound to be a spot for them in your heart and on your book shelves.

SCBWI Conference Talent, talent, talent – illustrators coming out of your ears and eyes – a feast of established and new illustrators are showcasing, speaking, sharing the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators at The Hughenden in Sydney.

Showcase: Friday 29th June

Open to Industry 4.30-5.30p.m. for an exclusive viewing

14 Queen Street Woollahra

Lead by our brilliant Illustrator Coordinators:- Frane Lessac and Sarah Davis,

supported by the Illustrator committee – Lesley Vamos, Serena Geddes, Andrea Edmonds, Majorie Crosby-Fairall. Invitation created by Lesley Vamos.

Some of the brilliant illustrators showcasing and speaking:-

Nina Rycroft

Frane Lessac

Lesley Vamos

Lachlan Creagh

Majorie Crosby-Fairall

Sarah Davis

Betty Sargeant

Wendy Binks

Follow the SCBWI Conference Blog –   http://scbwiaustnzconferenceblog2012.blogspot.com.au

A National Year of Reading partnership with ambassadors for the NYR ambassadors Hazel Edwards, Frane Lessac, Deborah Abela, Christopher Cheng and Susanne Gervay are part of the SCBWI Conference.

www.love2read.org.au

What has Literature Live! and dinosaurs in common?

It’s the Australian Museum where Nina Rycroft talented Literature Live! illustrator was investigating dinosaurs for her new project – a picture book written by Jackie French which she is illustrating for HarperCollins.

It’s Laurine Croasdale, Jeni Mawter and me – getting high tech. We’re connecting to schools across NSW about our books, writing and reaching kids everywhere.

Aleesah Darlinson out 5th Literature Live! member is launching her book Totally Twins – the 3rd in the series, so couldn’t be there this time.  It’s a terrific series published by New Frontier!

Thankyou to the terrific Karen Player from the Australian Museum who has welcomed Literature Live! and connecting schools through digital excursions.

We’ll be broadcasting from the Australian Museum in October, through Connections NSW Education Department studios in Dubbo which is great fun.

Meanwhile the fabulous Frane Lessac and Mark Greenwood are in Sydney for a writer/illustrator tour – they’re brilliant illustrator-writer team and my great friends.  We’re on a similar writing tour and cross paths from Fairfiled Public School to Wahroonga Public School, the Bush School to Penrith School.

We had a delicious lunch at t

The Literature Live! team of illustrator Nina Rycroft and authors Aleesah Darlinson, Jeni Mawter, Laurine Croasdale and I, flew into Dubbo’s Connections Studio and we beamed out to hundreds of kids and teachers across NSW.

Dugald Saunders, ABC radio personality was a funny, warm and skilled compere of the show and we all had FUN!!!!!!

Stars of the show were:-

‘Ballroom Bonanza’ and ‘Boom-Bah’ award winning picture books by Nina Rycroft

Jeni Mawter’s hilarious ‘babies’ who were part of her picture book ‘Snuggle

Alessah Darlinson’s love of animals and her new picture book ‘Warambi’ abotu the minature bat.

Laurine Croadsale Penguin Chomps ‘iHarry’

and of course my JACK books – especially Nanna’s big, bargain, glow in the dark purple underpants!!!!

Wandering through the Reading Room exhibiting children’s illustrations  by wonderful artists such as Cathy Wilcox, Sarah Davis, Shaun Tan, Donna Rawlings, Nina Rycroft, the Children’s Book Council gathered in the warm candle-lit sun lounge of The Hughenden.

Everyone was waiting for Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, Governor of NSW and patron of the Children’s Book Council.

Carol Keeble Pesident of the CBCA (NSW), Maurice Saxby a father of Australian children’s literature and Margaret Hamilton  former President of the Children’s Book Council, the CBCA Foundation and a leading literary figure in Australia welcomed the Governor.

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

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

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

Mike Spoor makes characters come alive! 

His Dinasaur Cove series published by Oxford Uni Press is especially huge in the UK.

Mike’s gorgeous illustration of Watch Duck is in the Hughenden Reading Room, together with the works of award winning illustrators including Sarah Davis, Nina Rycroft, Frane Lessac, Donna Rawings and the academy award winning illustrator Shan Tan.

I was so happy to meet Mike and asked him to illustrate a new DUCK for me. Even though he had heaps of talks at All Saints Festival he made the time to create my DUCK. Thankyou Mike. 

Here’s what Mike did:-

  Check the illustration carefully and find DUCK – Mike did this for the illustrator page at ALL SAINTS Literature Festival.

Soooooo……………. excited about My DUCK!!!!!!!!!!

Literature Live! ROAD SHOW

 We packed our bags and the Literature Live! team spoke to wonderful kids and teachers at schools including Dubbo Public School, Mosman Preparatory School, Balgowlah Heights Public School and Oxford Falls Grammar.

 It was so much fun with the kids engrossed in our show cases:-

Jeni Mawter made everyone laugh with her So Gross book stories

Laurine Croasdale surfed the beaches with her Surf School and Surf Sister books

Nina Rycroft had them spell bound with illustrations from her award winning Ballroom Bonanza

Aleesah Darlison engaged them with her Totally Twin books published by New Frontier

Susanne Gervay captured everyone with winning against school bullying.

IT WAS FANTASTIC!

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Loathing Lola is terrific

And so -oh are you!

Note the signed 21st bear – Illustrator Penny Azar signed with her own illustrated bear. 

Special news – Sue Walker has already received a 5 star review  of her ‘Arnie Avery’ published by Walker Books. I’m launching it at the Kids and Young Adult Literature Festival, NSW Writers Centre on 3rd July.  I read the manuscript at its early stage, so it’s especially wonderful.

Network  doubled up with the LITERATURE ALIVE team of Nina Rycroft, Aleesah Darlinson, Laurine Croasdale, Jeni Mawter,Sue Walker and me.

We’re going LIVE on July 22nd with our Literature Festival speaking to schools around the country via the TV screen.

Talented illustrator Nina Rycroft created the Literature Live Logo.

SCBWI Meeting at The Hughenden, this Wednesday was packed with authors and illustrators sharing great publishing news from:-

Nina Rycroft’s picture books being sold in the UK and USA,  Mark Thomason’s short listing for the WAYBRA Awards, Wendy Blaxland’s second series of 6 beautiful hardback books How are they Made? Macmillan Young Library with another series coming selling in Australia and the USA to Serena Geddes’ illustrations for  new picture books for New Frontier Publishers, with new books coming from Sue Whiting, Deborah Abela, Jeni Mawter, Chris Cheng  … and much more.

Last year there were nearly 150 published books by SCBWI Australia and New Zealand members.

There’s so much SCBWI Australia & New Zealand news

-the new Silver Kite Awards for regions outside the USA

- the Bologna Book Fair where Australia & New Zealand is represented at the SCBWI Conference by Sarah Foster Publisher Walker Books Australia, Frane Lessac Illustrator coordinator and Frances Plumpton NZ literary agent. 

- Dianne Wolfer (WA) and Corinne King (Victoria), authors  are doing a brilliant job organising the programme of countries presenting at the SCBWI stand at the Bologna Book Fair.

- the Speakers Directory for illustrators and authors on SCBWI Australia & NZ

- and the MAJOR NEWS that the SCBWI Biennial International Conference is at The Hughenden 17-19th September with Kira Lynn USA Publisher for Kane Books being flown in from the USA , Lin Oliver President of SCBWI International, film maker and children’s author and Australian publishers at an event that will promote the community of children’s writers & illustrators.

Look at the SCBWI website for more information: www.scbwiaustralia.org

Nina Rycroft is part of Network www.ninarycroft.com

Don’t forget that the writers and illustrators network for published creators is on this Wednesday 4th November. It’s always the 1st Wednesday of every month 10.30-12.30 - then kicking on for lunch at The Hughenden:-

Address: 14 Queen Street, Woollahra (Paddington) - opposite Centennial Parklands where you can park and a few minutes from the Pddington Markets on Oxford Street.

Just turn up with your news, questions and discussions. It’s always a wonderful way to find out what’s happening in children’s publishing.

Author Hazel Edwards and illustrator Frane Lessac

Authors Chris Cheng and Libby Gleeson

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.