Welcome award winning children's author, Lorraine Marwood to Books for Little Hands. When did you first know that you wanted to an author?
I think I can even remember where I was sitting in my classroom as an eight year old- the idea and desire just came into my mind and heart and has never left.
Congratulations on winning the Prime Minister's Literary Award for 2010 for your book, Star Jumps.
Can you please tell us what inspired this story?
This is a story I’ve always wanted to write. I was a dairy farmer for 25 years together with my husband and we brought up our 6 children on the farm. As I began to write about farm life some editors thought this was an old fashioned topic! That seemed to make our contemporary labour and life obsolete. I wanted to show a real snapshot of what it was like to grow up on a dairy farm now. And I set Ruby, Keely and Connor at a turning point (which seems to be happening so much now on farms everywhere) as drought really strikes.It isn’t autobiography, but there’s no way I can share a calf birthing scene unless I’d been there many, many times. I have to confess that the story was written more with saline tears than computer ink. We are now in a regional town and no longer farmers (well I’m not, my husband still works on a big wheat farm, part-time) and I’d like this book to become part of Australia’s social history.
Tell us about your other books.
My first verse novel with Walker was ‘Ratwhiskers and Me’ and a first venture into my love of poetry and my love of narrative and history. I grew up in Bendigo where gold was the feverish word a hundred and fifty years ago- there was a rich cultural mix of ‘diggers’ as well as the rich alluvial then quartz gold. I’ve always been fascinated by history. My childhood home and farm was once a Chinese market garden- I had the story simmering for years before it found voice. This is a novel of adventure and identity. My other two books with Walker are collections of poetry- ‘A Ute picnic and other Australian poems’ and ‘Note on the Door and other poems about family’. Collections of poems are rare in today’s publishing world, so I value so much the fact that Walker love poetry. And I love writing poems. There are a great variety of poems in these collections from messy bedrooms to Black Saturday to family myths and a Ute picnic itself.
I also have two Aussie Nibbles ‘The Girl who turned into Treacle’ and ‘Chantelle’s Cloak’. As well as some educational readers and three poetry books with Five Island Press.
When and where do you like to write?
Ah, that one’s easy in a way- I like to write anywhere- a habit that came into being when my children were young and there was always plenty of constant farm work- life was in the fast lane- but even while hosing down the cow yard of a morning I could think and dream and observe- so much is observing and I seem to find details that often other people skim over.
I always have a note book with me and I can record down ideas, a line, a thought, a detail which later can be fully fleshed. Writing is a part of who I am – although some days there’s a drought in my note book and other days a flood of words. I somehow have to write long hand for poetry, but stories are computer birthed.
What's been a highlight of your career so far?
Hmm, one small but significant detail passed onto me by my daughter about a local farming family from our farming area, read ‘Star Jumps’ every night to her daughter and she wanted it read over and over again and wanted to know more about Ruby. That’s a highlight.
But of course so too is the validation of the Prime Minister’s award for my work- there’s nothing like a gold sticker on one’s work and the monetary reward is liberating- so long we labour and labour and recognition has many far reaching consequences. Poetry needs that recognition.
What advice would you give aspiring children's writers?
To read, to dream, to keep a diary, a journal with scraps of ideas, tickets, cards, newspaper cuttings, letters. To practice, to read about other authors and their journey, to know that anything worthwhile is never a straight road.
To join organisations like Writers’ centres, SWBCI, PIO (pass it on) online newsletter, go to writing festivals and workshops and network. Enter competitions and send work to magazines. Persevere. Be determined and have faith in yourself. Then read and write some more.
No scrap of writing is ever wasted it leads on and on and builds into the next piece of writing.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Ah, interact in many ways with my big family- I love to craft- sew; make cards, garden, read and op shop! And also to teach workshops and writing to many age groups.
What's next?
A new collection of poetry is due out with Walker in 2013 and I have a few re-writes of new projects to do… lots of exciting ventures coming up and I know that editing and re-writing is part of that ‘What’s next?’ Writing is such an exciting career.
Thankyou for asking me such wonderful questions Renee.
Welcome Children's Author, Sandy Fussell to Books for Little Hands.
When did you first know that you wanted to an author?
I’ve always loved stringing words together but I never thought about being an author. Although I was an almost obsessive reader, I never found anything that inspired me to want to write. When I had children I discovered how much I loved kids’ books but still the connection didn’t click into place. Then a truly terrible thing happened. My avid-reader 10-year-old son announced all books were boring and he was never going to read another one.
I tried every genre. I raided libraries and friend’s bookshelves. Finally in frustration I asked him to write me a story so I could see what he thought wasn’t boring. To my surprise he agreed, if I did the transcribing. It was a very random, erratic story and I kept trying to give advice. When the main character disappeared literally mid-page “because I don’t like girls any more. There are no girls in my book”, I insisted he explain where she went. He wasn’t putting up with any motherly pushy editorialism and gave me my marching orders. “Go write your own book, mum.”
I’ve been following his advice ever since.
Tell us about your book Polar Boy.
I read anything and everything but my preferred non-fiction subject is ancient history. I was reading about the traditional life of the Inuit people, and how in that cold, desolate Arctic environment, the way of life has not changed for over eight hundred years. The idea of history as both the past and present fascinated me. In addition, the Inuit people, despite their harsh lives, found great joy in their community and their land, which itself was incredibly beautiful and awing. I was inspired and just had to write about all this.
I began to imagine Iluak, a young boy frightened by his Ananasanq’s (Nana’s) prophecy that one day he must face the great bear. When I began the story I had a plot line loosely based increasingly scary encounters with polar bears – animals that truly frighten me. My research soon uncovered a different bear, the Viking ‘berserker’ which at this time was moving south into the migratory lands of the Baffin Island Inuit peoples. I had stumbled on the true meaning of Nana’s prophecy – a story of two very different cultures learning to share the land - and after that, Polar Boy wrote itself. I believe story writing is an organic process and these plot co-incidences happen to me all the time.
What inspired you to write The Jaguar Warrior?Ever since I was a kid, Aztec history in particular has fascinated me - the stark dichotomy of an intelligent, artistic society best known for its gruesome religious practices. But for the Mexica (the Aztecs’ name for themselves), sacrifice was not a gory spectacle, but the means to ensure the sun rose and the world continued. I wanted to write a story against this contradiction and also to dispel some of the preconceptions my readers might have.
The image of Atl, imprisoned in a dark box, watching a spider spin its web in the only bead of sunlight while waiting to be sacrificed, came to me vividly and entire. I just had to find his story. History provided the clues and when the Spanish invaded, the high priest released Atl to take a plea for help to a nearby city. It’s also about slavery and obligation. Atl is chosen because he can run fast, but why would he run to save people who were going to kill him? His first instinct is to run in the opposite direction.
Again, it’s my interest in ancient history. I grew up watching The Samurai on television and role-played samurai and ninja with the kids in my street. You cannot train to be a samurai. You have to be born into a samurai family. And if you were, there is no other choice. I started to think what it would be like if you didn’t want to follow your birth right. Or if you couldn’t for some reason that wasn’t your fault. Like you were born with one leg. That’s when Niya, my one-legged narrator, started to explain it to me. He also convinced me to ‘see for yourself’. So I stood one-legged in the back yard – quite pleased to have executed the ‘crane move’ – until I tried a one-legged karate kick. And that’s where the first paragraph came from: I scissor kick high as I can and land on my left foot. I haven’t got another one. My name is Niya Moto and I’m the only one-legged samurai kid in Japan. Usually I miss my foot and land on my backside. Or flat on my face in the dirt.
I have met many disabled children, through family and work. Their persistence and self-belief and sense of humour in the most discouraging situations never ceases to amaze me. I wanted to write a piece of history for them and to reinforce that we can all give anything a go. No matter what. Some writers believe you should never write a message in a story. But to me a good story has its own inherent message. With help from Niya, Yoshi, Taji, Mikko, Kyoko and Sensei, Samurai Kids became not only a sword-waving, martial arts action story but a celebration of difference.
How much research was involved?
Heaps. I love research. I always spend a month ‘sleuthing around’ in a particular historical period before I begin to write – and then I keep researching until the story is complete. It’s the little things that I’m looking for - the story suggesters and the details to make my fiction authentic. Big historical events are just backdrop to me. I don’t write about them. But I still have to get all the facts right so I spend a lot of time reading texts, especially primary texts written at the time, watching documentaries and looking at images.
I also try to experience some of the things I am writing about. I went to sword fighting classes and took shakuhachi flute lessons. I was hopeless at both but it was useful research and provided wonderful stories to tell during school visits (and two practice bokkens to take with me – always of great interest to boys).
What were your favourite subjects at school?
I loved English and Ancient history and I can see how they have directly influenced me as a writer. But I also loved Maths and Computing which means I am very systematic with my research and love to make patterns with words. I don’t have a left or right side brain. I like to have a go at everything.
What did you like reading when you were growing up?
There were very few children’s books in the house I grew up in – just a few birthday gifts. My parents were not readers and didn’t value books. I was constantly looking for something to read. I read everything I could find – even Biggles! For my 12th birthday I asked for the Complete Works of Shakespeare. I didn’t understand a lot of it but I loved the music the words made when I read them aloud. I still remember the moment when as a new Year 7, I walked into the high school library. More books than I had ever seen in my whole life. Being a little bit ordered and mathematical I started at A. There I found Aldriss and Asimov and science fiction and fantasy quickly became my genres of choice. Favourite childhood books , now favourite adult books too, include The Chronicles of Narnia, Elidor, anything about the Arthurian Legend or Robin Hood, the Dune series and the Duncton Wood series.
What's been a highlight of your career so far?
I am fortunate to have had many ‘big’ moments even though I have only been published for five years. I call myself ‘the Cinderella author’ because magic just keeps happening. It was exciting to be shortlisted for CBCA Young Readers Book of the Year for Polar Boy, and to receive an IBBY award for White Crane but I think the greatest highlight was when I was the guest of honour at the Grenfell Festival of the Arts. It’s the longest running arts festival in Australia and past guests have included Patrick White, Thomas Keneally and Di Morrisey. I was a last-minute desperate choice when the high profile guest of honour cancelled at short notice due to health issues. My family live in the area so when my sister suggested me to a frantic committee member even though I had only written two books- they were just pleased to find someone willing to travel out west at very short notice.
The festival was wonderful and Grenfell made sure I didn’t feel like second choice. I think the community was quite proud that a quasi ‘one of their own’ was the guest of honour. The huge moment for me, was when I was watching the parade. Around the corner came a school dressed as my Samurai Kids. The parade stopped in front of me, the kids turned and bowed.’ Sensei’, they shouted. I just burst into tears.
What's next?
I have been experimenting with writing for other age groups. I have a picture book to be published by Walker Books Australia and I am currently finalising my first Young Adult novel. A seventh book in the Samurai Kids series, Red Fox, will be released in November 2012. The series is coming to an end and I am currently writing the last book, enjoying tying all the plot threads together. I have a head full of ideas and scraps of writing to go with them – two new series, a historical novel and a historical fantasy. All for middle grade. While I have enjoyed my ventures into other readerships, I think in my heart I am still twelve years old – and that’s where I write.
A huge welcome to children's author Lee Fox.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
As a child I dreamed of being a writer because I enjoyed writing poetry but I didn't have a sense of what being a writer/author meant or how one became a writer/author. In 1987 I thought about being a writer again, very briefly, because I was doing my VCE as a mature aged student and really, really loved all the writing components of the course. Other students thought I was crazy for this. In 2000 I decided to go for it and set out to do everything I could to make my dream a reality.
What was your road to publication like?
Once I'd made the decision to be a writer, and set a goal to have my work published, I began calling myself a writer. I promptly enrolled in a Freelance Journalism course with the Australian College of Journalism. Each week I received my tutorial and set about completing it. It was so much fun to have a writing task to focus on then send off to my tutor for comments and feedback. As a result of this course I had my first article published and received some money! It was such a great feeling. By the end of the 25 week correspondence course I'd had three articles published in The Age newspaper and made $1,800. This was a clear indication that I should keep going. But I didn't want to do journalism. So I enrolled in the Professional Writing and Editing course at RMIT and was accepted. I thought this course would give me the opportunity to try a few different genres and find what I was good at. I should mention that my goal by this stage was to write a book and have it published. I started with two subjects in the PWE course - Short Story and Editing.
Short Story was great for creating short writing projects and getting feedback from the class. Editing was great for perfecting my writing and learning about grammar and punctuation. I found the editing class tough at times but I would highly recommend it to anyone who is serious about improving their writing skills. I also did a short course on proofreading which helped immensely. The following year I enrolled in the Writing for Children subject, not because I particularly wanted to be a children's author but because I'd heard that the teacher was great. I didn't think I was too good at writing for children but I persisted because the teacher was actually great and her classes were a hoot.
During that year I wrote a story in rhyme about a girl who wouldn't let her mother brush her hair. I faced the same issue at home with my youngest child. I didn't show my teacher because she'd said that although kids, parents, teachers and librarians loved rhyming stories, publishers tended not to publish them (that's all I heard) unless they were very good (didn't catch that last bit). But I had enjoyed writing the story so I read it to my daughter then put it away. Sometime later - perhaps six months - I began thinking about the story again. I kept pushing the thoughts away but it was like the story was calling to me. One day I went - oh, I think I need to take notice of something here. I got the story out and sent it to a writer friend. She loved it and asked if I would like her to send it to her publisher. I said no. Only joking. I said, 'Yes, please do!!!' The publisher also said yes and Ella Kazoo was let loose on the world.
Tell us about your well loved picture book character, Ella Kazoo.
I love Ella Kazoo. She has such a mind of her own. The idea for Ella came from my daughter, Mia, the youngest of my five children, because at the time of writing the story Mia was refusing to let me brush her hair. But once I decided on the name, Ella Kazoo took on a life of her own - much like her hair. I think children love Ella because they can relate to her but also because they love reading about someone else being very naughty and getting into trouble. Children tell me that they think Ella Kazoo is very funny. Cathy Wilcox did a wonderful job of creating Ella's physical body and her hair is particularly wild. Just like Ella really.
What advice would give writers trying to perfect the art of rhyme?
Friends gave me a great big thesaurus for my birthday many years ago and I got myself a good rhyming dictionary. These resources have been very helpful to me but others may not need them. I also read a lot of very good rhyming stories, including older rhymes and more contemporary rhyming stories. Reading rhymes aloud was also good for getting an ear for the form. Another important aspect to focus on is finding rhyming words that move the story along. Avoid choosing words just because they rhyme. Every rhyming word has to make sense and move the story along. Choose strong verbs and lively language. Be clever and witty when rhyming as this will delight readers and make their ears ring with joy.
What do you like to do when you're not writing? I have two other jobs that I do because I need to earn a living. Unfortunately my writing doesn't earn me enough to live on and my teenage daughter is now in women's sized clothing and shoes! I do enjoy my other non-writing jobs though (I do quite a bit of corporate writing in both). Aside from working full-time and visiting schools and libraries when I'm invited to, I like walking, cooking, reading, listening to music and spending time with my family and friends. By nature I'm an introvert but I have very good social skills. So if you can get me to a party I will probably be very entertaining company. The trick is to get me there in the first place:))
What's been a highlight of your career so far?
There have been a lot of highlights after the initial one of having my first book published. Being shortlisted for a CBCA award was a thrill. I love visiting schools and spending time with students - especially the ones who don't think they can write or feel that reading and writing is a waste of time. I enjoy the look on their faces when they realise they can do it. Residencies are a lot of fun because I get to spend time with students and teachers and get to know them better. Visiting small rural schools is so much fun and I had a residency in the Kimberly that was wonderful too. Being invited to take part in children's literature festivals is always fun because I get to hang out with a lot of other children's authors and I feel like I have found my tribe. Each time I see an advance copy of a new book feels like giving birth to another baby - adore babies. My children are very proud of my writing achievements, which makes up for me not being a perfect parent.
Who are your favourite authors?
As a child I loved Enid Blyton. I still can't go past a Noddy book and not feel a ping of happiness. Can't explain that one. It is what it is. I love the work of Michael Gerard Bauer, Gabrielle Wang, Sally Rippin, Matt Ottley, Simmone Howell and Susan Green. But there are so many great children's authors in Australia and it's difficult to choose just one. I should also say that I read best sellers - not because I like the writing - but because I'm interested to know what their secret is. So far I can only say that you need write the right book at the right time - the next BIG thing.
What's next?
I am currently working on my second young adult novel and it's called Looking for Poppies. It's about a 15 year old girl who is cranky because her parents are dragging her off to Turkey for three months. Her dad is in show business and just landed a gig performing at the Dawn Service in Gallipoli on AnzacDay. It's about conflict and the real meaning behind Anzac Day. The other project is a collaboration with my partner, Jan 'Yarn' Wositzky and is also about the Anzac story. We met with a publisher today to pitch the idea and they really liked it so, fingers crossed!
Don't forget... to enter in the fabulous book competitions that we have running on Books for Little Hands to celebrate National Year of Reading.
Children's books of all shapes and sizes, genres and styles, have been generously donated by award winning authors and illustrators for children of all ages (and adults can enter too).
Reasons why to enter now:
*You are helping to celebrate National Year of Reading.
*You're encouraging children, adults and families to read.
*You're learning, discovering and imaging new things.
*You are supporting authors and illustrators (who may become your new favourite).
*You're challenge your thinking by answering a simple question- often humorous.
*You could receive your very own signed book from a famous author.
*It's Free.
*It's Fun.
*And you only have a few weeks left.
Welcome, Geoffrey McSkimming to Books for Little Hands.
Thank you so much for having me here.
When did you first know that you wanted to be an author?
I was always into writing, from early primary school. It was something I enjoyed doing and felt good doing. It was me, I guess. But I didn't originally intend to be a writer. I wanted to be a magician, a ventriloquist, a puppeteer when I was in primary school. Then when I was in high school I wanted to be an actor and I went to Uni and after that I worked for five years as an actor--a long time ago. I was a very bad actor (once during a performance of Macbeth in Brisbane I fell off the stage into a tuba and got stuck for several hours!). I stopped being an actor, got a "normal" job and went to Egypt for a holiday. I got sunstroke in the Valley of the Kings, got better, came back to Australia and wrote the first Cairo Jim
0 Comments on Interview with Author Geoffrey McSkimming as of 7/23/2012 2:16:00 AM
When night comes and you need to go to sleep, what's that noise keeping you awake? Who is in the bedtime band?
For your chance to win a copy of The Bedtime Band, tell us if you had a band of Australian animals what instruments would they play?
For your chance to win a copy of The Pink Pirate written by Michelle Worthington, tell us what you might find on a pirate ship.
To read Michelle's interview click here.
Welcome, Michelle Worthington to Books for Little Hands.
Have you always wanted to be an writer?
I have always wanted to be a writer. My first picture book, The Bedtime Band, is based on a poem I wrote when I was in Grade 5. Stories pop into my head at very strange times and places, so I have a pen and notebook with me at all times. I read every night, to my kids and by myself. I think that helps to make me a better writer.
1 Comments on Interview with Children's Author Michelle Worthington, last added: 7/10/2012
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Renee Taprell,
on 7/9/2012
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I’m thrilled to be interviewing Janeen Brian on my blog today.
Welcome, Janeen.
Thanks for inviting me to be interviewed, Renee. It’s lovely to be part of Books for Little Hands.
When did you first know that you wanted to be an author?
I didn’t really ever consciously decide to be a writer. I always like reading, but when I was teaching, a friend said she was going to a weekend writing workshop and would I like to come. I agreed and was surprised by how much I liked it. I’d only written little poems for my young daughters and as gifts for friends and family before that. It was only after many books were published, that I began to consider myself an author, but I think when I left teaching in 1990 to become a fulltime writer, that I felt comfortable announcing it to people and writing it on documents!
To celebrate the National Year of Reading, Janeen Brian has kindly donated her picture books, Shirl and the Wollomby Show.
It's Wollomby Show time again, and Shirl and the other girls in the paddock want to join in the fun. Trouble is, Gertrude the goat always wins the prizes for cooking and flower arranging-and everything else. How will they even out the contest?
For your chance to win, tell us what is one special memory you have of going to a country show – or the Royal Show?
I'm thrilled to interview award winning children's author, Janeen Brian on my blog today.
Welcome Janeen.
Thanks for inviting me to be interviewed, Renee. It’s lovely to be part of Books for Little Hands.
When did you first know that you wanted to be an author?
6 Comments on Publishers Submission Guidelines, last added: 7/6/2012
Don't forget...Submissions for the Kids Book Review Unpublished Picture Book Award close Monday 16 July! Have you got your entry in yet?
The winner will receive $300, a manuscript appraisal and the chance to have their work viewed by Sue Whiting, Publishing Manager at Walker Books!
Two runners-up will win $100 each, and a short manuscript appraisal. We also reserve the right to nominate highly commended authors (no prize).Manuscript submissions are for picture books of 500 words or less, no illustrations required.
For submissions details and to get your entry in, head to http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2012/04/kbrs-unpublished-manuscript-award-2012.html
Submissions must be sent by email by Monday 16 July 2012 at 11.59pm
For your chance to win a signed copy of 'Darth' written by Julieann Wallace and illustrated by Claire Wallace, tell us what type of fish is Darth?DarthWritten by Julieann Wallace Illustrated by Claire WallaceDarth has been captured and taken away from his family - perhaps forever!
He enters the new fish tank with a SPLASH! and meets eye to eye with Grunt, the unfriendly leader of a gang.Will Darth ever make friends in the underwater paradise? Will he use the POWER?
Can he truly be happy again?
For your chance to win a signed copy of Tick tock tick tock What's Up Croc? written and illustrated by Kim Michelle Toft, tell us in 50 words or less why do you think the crocodile is such a successful survivor?Tick tock tick tock What's Up Croc?A stunning 40 page picture information book by multi award winning illustrator and author Kim Michelle Toft. Spend a day in the life of a prehistoric predator — the saltwater crocodile. Meander through poetic text to find out why this resilient reptile has withstood the test of time and truly is the last of the mighty dinosaurs.Features• stunning hand painted silk illustrations
• text is written as a poem and features on the wall chart
• full colour wall chart 225mm x 750mm
• 10 pages of child friendly information in the back of the bookTarget Market
• pre-school to Year 3 however extension information in the back of the book is suitable for children up to year 6.
• parents, grandparents and anyone who has a passion for the wilderness and its preservation.Teachers Notes for "Tick tock tick tock: What's Up Croc? "Click here to download teachers notes
To be the lucky winner of a signed copy of Recipe For Perfect Planet Pie written and illustrated by Kim Michelle Toft, tell us what ingredients from nature would you use to create your own perfect planet pie?Recipe For Perfect Planet Pie reads like a recipe, each ‘method’ using natural resources which need to be nurtured and sustained. Using cooking terms , it’s a fun way to look at solutions to ‘greening’ the planet.
It is an excellent springboard for discussion on sustainability, cleaner alternate energy supplies and the preservation of nature.
Check out Kim's website to see more of her stunning picture books and original silk paintings.
Toby is a boy with a talent; he can see faces in almost everything. The problem is that nobody else can.I Can See Faces was written by Susan Pease, illustrated by Olivia Pease and published by Little Steps Publishing (2012).
This delightful picture book targets children four to eight years and shares a day in the life of a child's imagination. The best part is that nobody can see the faces but Toby and he discovers faces in extraordinary places. Muddy monsters in the Vegemite jar, milky faces floating in his glass and bumpy crunchy faces in his cereal. At the beach, Toby finds water baby faces in the rock pools and shell and seaweed faces in the sand.
Susan Pease has used rich and expressive words to describe feelings such as, sad, bold, brave and smiley. This makes for great discussion after reading about how people express themselves through facial expressions.
Eleven year old Olivia Pease, has illustrated using a combination of paint, collage and ink. I don't think an adult could have pulled this off as well. Olivia's style and use of white space creates an authentic representation of a child's point of view and compliments the books overall theme.
My daughter and I really enjoyed searching for faces and Olivia's signature stamp face hiding in sometimes tricky places.I believe that children thoroughly enjoy reading books that other children have contributed to, in this case illustrated, because it appears believable and connects to the child-reader immediately. Best of all,
0 Comments on Book Review I Can See Faces as of 1/1/1900
Becoming an ambassador for the
National Year of Reading was one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done, as I simply love love love to read.
Tell me, in 25 words or less, why you love to read, and you could win a signed copy of my third Riley the Little Aviator book – Riley and the Curious Koala: a journey around Sydney!Riley and the Curious Koala: A journey around Sydney (A$16.99, Nov 2010, 9780980475036)
Following in the Riley series of travel adventure books, Riley and the Curious Koala takes our little aviator on a journey around the beautiful landmarks of Sydney, in search of a strange and elusive fuzzy creature.
With stunning black and white photos of Sydney's beaches and glorious harbour, even in the torrential rain, this whirlwind trip showcases this gorgeous city at its best. Riley and the Curious Koala is illustrated once again by the illustrious Kieron Pratt. It is the third book in the very popular Riley travelogue series for little ones.
http://www.love2read.org.au/featured-ambassador-week11-tania.cfm
For your chance to win a signed copy of Bubble Gum Trouble and Other Giggle Poems by Helen Ross tell us in 50 words or less your own giggle poem. . Bumble Gum Trouble is a collection of poems for children. Full of bright illustrations and short sharp poems, this is a great book to introduce children to the wonders of poetry. With poems such as "Where's Mum?", "Cats in The Toilet Paper" and "The Two of Us" readers will be giggling away. Easy to read, simple rhymes and cute illustrations all add up to make this a book children will enjoy.' (reviewed by www.busymothers.com.au)n The Toilet Paper"Read more about Helen on Books for Little Hands or on her website.
Tell us in 50 words or less about the funniest or scariest experience you've had with an animal for your chance to win a signed copy of 'Stinky Ferret & the JJs.'Adrian hates ferrets. They're boring. They're ugly. And they stink. So when it's his turn to take home the classroom pet, Adrian knows he's in for a bad weekend.
But when his skate park is taken over by the JJs, will it actually be Ferret who saves the day?
Click
here to read Candice's interview on Books for Little Hands and
here for Candice's website
For your chance to win a signed copy of Matt the Mage, tell us in 50 words or less, what do you think an Outback mage might wear?
About Matt the Mage First Spells: Parramatta (Matt) Wheatslump is an eleven-year-old kid who lives in the outback. His ambition is to become a mage. In his own words, a mage is-like a magician or a wizard, but not quite," said Matt. "Magicians and wizards are flashy. Mages sort of nudge things into place."
Dottie and her hen, Paraphernalia, share breakfast, trips into town, even afternoon tea. But one day Dottie has an accident and Paraphernalia surprises her with the greatest gift of all…
To celebrate the National Year of Reading, Book for Little Hands will be holding book competitions over the next month, thanks to some generous children's authors and publishers who have kindly donated books for this event.
For your chance to win, tell us a micro story in the comment section (up to 100 words) about something you broke around the house. You can read more about Tristan in his recent interview on Books for Little Hands an
When did you first know that you wanted to be an author?
Only when I wrote my first book. I was always aspiring to act and make films and somehow those things seemed more tangible and doable to me. I didn't know any authors but I knew lots of actors and film / TV people. But I do have 'books' that I wrote, with hand-drawn covers from when I was 12. I have always written. It's just that books only seemed a possibility for me in the past seven or eight years.
What is your background and how did you get into writing?
I acted in theatre as a teen, then in TV for a few years after school. I spent four years in the UK presenting, writing and researching for TV. I've made a bunch of short films, written for film magazines, done an Arts degree in English and Communications. And written books. I can't kick the writing bug. It's how I make sense of things.
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.jpg "Cover of Paraphernalia's Present")
Sandy Fussell is an author new to me. I'm rather taken by the stories on offer.
Hi Marybelle. Thanks for your comment. I love how Sandy has used her passion for history to research and write so many interesting stories.
Absolutely fascinating! Sandy's diversity is admirable. Thanks Renee.