Bill Condon -Prime Minister’s Literary Award Australia – Confessions of a Liar, Thief and Failed Sex God by the talented, thoughtful Bill Condon with his dry humour.
Frane Lessac -The Muriel Barwell Award for Distinguished Services to Children’s Literature CBCA
Frane Lessac and Mark Greenwood - Simpson & His Donkey- wonderful picture book
Dianne Wolfer - Winner of the West Australian Young Readers’ Award for the beautiful lighthouse Girl publisher Fremantle Press
and there’s more, much more – look at the awards for Sally Murphy, Pamela Rushby, Lisa Shannahan and Emma Quay, Libby Gleeson, Deborah Abela
Great friends, great people, great authors & illustrators!
Aussie kids at Auburn North was like the United Nations.
Kids whose families come from Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan, Thailand, China, sixth generation Aussie background and more … welcomed Aussie authors.
Their Principal Mr Harris celebrated books as a way to fulfil kids’ dreams of reaching their dreams.
Their Librarian, teachers, CBC President Carole Keeble welcomed authors, kids and parents.
The MC, talented author Deborah Abela, who co-ordinated this CBCA Book Week event, had the packed library in love with her book ‘ The Remarkable Secret of Aurelie Bonhoffen.’
Oliver had them laughing; Jeni had them laughing even more; Chris has them engrossed in his amazing zoo stories and I was deeply touched that my JACK was on the feature StoryBridge painting that covered the main wall.
Thankyou to bookseller Kay from Shearer’s Bookshop, to the wonderful librarian Catherine Clift, Leanne Hodges and President CBCA Carole Keeble and especially Deborah Abela.
Thankyou to the kids of Auburn North for loving JACK.
‘What a wonderful show. It’s the best Monkey Baa production I’ve seen yet – gripping, funny and moving and the young performers were outstanding’ from Mark Macleod author and publisher.
I sat between Jackie French and Morris Gleitzman – we’re the three patrons of Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People – see watch ‘Hitler’s Daughter’ opening at the Seymour Theatre Sydney.
Jackie and I squeezed hands as this moving, powerful, emotional performance. The story is inspired by many stories of the Holocaust. It challenges young people and old to question not only Hitler who lead Germany and Europe into insanity, but what is still happening today.
Will we let it continue – Rwanda, Bosnia, the Kurds, the Ba’hais, Camodia?
The experience is funny, sad, joyous, confronting – truly great theatre. Huge applause to the director Sandra Edridge who is also one of the Directors of Monkey Baa Theatre. I am still thinking about ‘Hitler’s Daughter.’
The actors were brilliant – Michael Gupta who played the teenager Mark who was on this great quest for meaning
Robert Jago was a myriad of characters -he has such a natural comic talent. Such a great balance to the seriousness of the play.
Melle Stewart waqs a moving Anna and amazingly transfored into Fraulein gelber.
Kate Worsley was a shere delight.
GO, GO, GO – I promise you’ll come aware with so much.
PS The fantastic sound and music designer Jeremy Silver did I AM JACK – he was just as amazing in Hitler’s Daughter.
They have been invited to take ‘Hitler’s Daughter’ to the USA and have opend their ANGEL WITH WINGS APPEAL – please support it because Australian theatre, Hitler’s Daughter and this production needs to go beyond Australian shores.
Deborah Abela gave a vivacious reading of John Wood’s kids’ book - Zac the Yak.
Zac the Yak is sending the message from Room to Read that kids in the developing world need books and the right to read. That’s the way to end poverty and change the world.
Tristan Banks gave a terrific speech about all the ways we can help Room to Read from joining their City to Surf team to joining the charity ball ….
Illustrator Gus Gordon joined in and there were lots of other authors and supporters. Even though I was a little late due to Sydney Harbour Bridge traffic, I made it for the speeches. It was a great night.
SUPPORT ROOM TO READ & THE KIDS OF THE WORLD
Where? Kirribilli Club
Time: 6.30pm
Date: Thursday 22 July.
Launch: John Wood’s new children’s book, Zak the Yak with Books on his Back
FREE COPY OF ZAK THE ZAK to everyone attending
Room to Read Ambassadors: Tristan Bancks, Deborah Abela and Susanne Gervay speaking about Room to Read bringing literacy to the kids of the developing world
- buy their books, get them signed, and 15% goes to Room to Read
Bookseller: Paul MacDonald from The Children’s Bookshop in Beecroft
Contact: Email your attendance to Debbie Cairns, [email protected]
Room to read: www.roomtoread.org
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 2/13/2010
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Carol Keeble President of the CBC put on a delicious lunch – love her vegetarian lasagna – to invite authors to share ideas with the CBC. Topics on the agenda included -’ Book Week, authors and illustrators joining the CBCA, festivals and the regional CBC branches. There was enhtusiasm from the Sutherland Shire Branch and the Northern Beaches Branch of the CBC.
There were huge congratulations to Kate Forsyth and Belinda Murrell for their Book Week initiative in 2009, where the author-illustrator afternoon teas at four schools were a huge success. Hundreds of kids and teachers came to hear authors including Wendy Blaxland, Jeni Mawter, Kim Gamble, John Flanagan, Felicity Pulman and others.
Authors at the meeting included Chris Cheng, Deb Abela, Wendy Blaxland, Belinda Murrell, Kate Forsyth, Susanne Gervay, Jacqueline Harvey, James Roy. 
The CBCA Conference is to be held 18-19th June 2010.
Logo created by Frane Lessac
It’s the end of the year and the chance for SCBWI Australia & New Zealand authors and illustrators to catch up, share news, network and find out what everyone is doing and party to celebrate the end of the year.
SCBWI Australia & New Zealand
NSW Chapter
CHRISTMAS DINNER 2009
Feature: SCBWI in conversation with author
Deborah Abela
Publishing out there across Australia
and the World
Venue:The Hughenden, 14 Queen Street Woollahra
Time & Date: 7:00pm - 10:00pm, Wednesday 9 December, 2009
Tickets: $40 for buffet meal
For Bookings contact The Hughenden, 14 Queen Street Woollahra NSW 2025
email: [email protected]
www.thehughenden.com.au
fax: 02 9362 0398
Bring your books to sell and swap and get autographed - great Christmas presents and see what everyone else is up to. There are heaps of new books by SCBWI authors & illustrators
Hope to see you there.
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 10/7/2009
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So much good news:-Alessah Darlison has an exciting new series about twins with New Frontier Publishing for the 9-12 year age group.
Sarah Davis’ picture book written by Colin Thompson about an endearing dog ‘Fearless’ published by ABC Books is capturing everyone’s hearts.
Deborah Abela’s delightful ‘The Remarkable Secret of Aurelie Bonhoffen’ has been sold to the USA.
Felicity Pulman has finished her murder mystery JANNA series and Jenny Hale is working on book two of her fantasy JATTA series.
Sue Walker’s new 9-12 year old book to be published by Walker Books.
My ‘I AM JACK’ is finally released in the USA!!!!
and much more good news and comraderie.
Felicity Pulman, Jenny Hale, Deb Abela, Sarah Davis and Finn
Room to Read endorses I AM JACK
David Mulligan and Jeni Mawter
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 9/23/2009
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Jenny Hale,William Kostakis,Kate Forsyth,Susanne Gervay
Bookfeast was abuzz with balloons, kids, teachers and the cream of Australian children’s authors and illustrators.
Haberfield school librarian, Michael Fraser’s annual event is unique in uniting the community of Australian children’s authors and illustrators with their audiences in a celebration of literature and reading.
Keynote speakers were:-
Richard Harland award winning and best selling fantasy author
Sue Murray Australia’s leading youth playwright
Sarah Davis - awarded best new young illustrator by the CBCA for ‘Mending Lucille’
Duncan Ball, Australia’s much loved and multi award winning author of Selby the Talking Dog and Emily Eyefinger.
It was a FEAST of talent including
Gus Gordon illustrator - look out for brilliant picture book WENDY
William Kostakis author - YA novel ‘Loathing Lola’
Moya Simons author - series ‘Walk Right In Detective Agency’
Emma Quay illustrator - adorable picture book ‘Bear and Chook’
Sue Whiting author - kids favourite the Firefighters illustrated by Donna Rawlings
Kate Forsyth world wide fantasy author - brilliant series Chain of Charms
Deb Abela author delights with - Max Remy Super Spy
Jenny Hale and her debut fantasy series JATTA which is already a best seller
Chris Cheng editor of a new Poetry anthology that is receiving acclaim
and many more - Felicity Pulman, Vashti Farrer,David Mulligan,Libby Hathorn,Alan Baille,Patricia Bernard,Vicky Morrison ….
It’s truly a FEAST
Sue Whiting and Sarah Davis' picture book 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy'
Kate Forsyth,Vicky Morrison, Deborah Abela
