By: Susanne Gervay,
on 2/17/2012
Blog: Susanne Gervay's Blog
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News, Felicity Pulman, Belinda Murrell, Wendy Blaxland, Margaret Roc, Wendy Fitzgerald author, The Children's Bookshop Beecroft, Paul MacDonald Beecroft Bookshop, Claire Stuckey Singing lirbarian Gosford Lirbary, 2012 National year of Reading, www.love2read.org, Ships in the Field by Susanne gervay and Anna Pignataro, Isolde Martyn, tanka poet Beverley George ...Maria Simpson creator of Bilby Theatre, Add a tag
 How exciting to be welcomed with a huge window display at The Children’s Bookshop Beecroft of ‘Ships in the Field’, a National Year of Reading event.
Anna Pignataro the brilliant illustrator of ‘Ships in the Field’ loved speaking to authors, illustrators, teachers, librarians, kids and friends.
Anna shared her Italian-Egyptian background and how her parents were forced out of Egypt, while I shared my Hungarian refugee background – in ‘Ships in The Field’ – a story of finding home.
Fabulous authors like Wendy Blaxland, Wendy Fitzgerald, Belinda Murrell, Margaret Roc, Felicity Pulman, Isolde Martyn, tanka poet Beverley George …Maria Simpson creator of Bilby Theatre, librarians like the fantastic Claire Stuckey and friends came to celebrate ‘Ships in the Field’.
Loved it!!!!!
Last week I received an email from Leonie Jordan, the Education-Marketing exec at Walker Books (who are publishing my new narrative non-fiction picture book Python later this year). They have set up a NEW blog Walk-A-Book, just for National Year of Reading and she wrote: As you are a National Year of Reading Ambassador (and of course a consummate blogger) we were hoping you might be interested in writing the opening post for us? and of course I jumped at the opportunity. SO ... here is my post::******** I love 2 read. Now you may not consider that an amazing insight or revelation into the life of a full time children’s author. After all people usually consider writing and reading to go hand in hand and they are correct but reading wasn’t something I always loved to do. There were other distractions to entertain a growing boy like trees to climb to spy on the neighbours, although I did enjoy reading - a little.Today though, I love 2 read. I am very specific in what I read, unlike my taste in music which is very, very eclectic. Yesterday, while pondering on this I was listening to the Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture played by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra while today I have Ella Fitzgerald singing those wonderful jazz tunes and I am about to be immersed in Bob Dylan. It also helps that my wife is a teacher librarian. I don’t read books written for adults (big kids I call them).This house is filled with ALL manner of children’s books, many of which are signed by the creators; picture books, junior fiction, older fiction, toddler books and non-fiction. But that is as far as the library in this house goes. Well, there are a few obscure biographies and scientific texts and journals. I especially love picture books. I love the way those immensely talented illustrators can take a story that I have written, which I already thought was multi-layered, and weave and craft further layers into my story with their illustrations. A simple picture book people say - not likely. Just look at those pictures and you will see. Maybe my love of picture books comes from my teaching background and having children interpret stories themselves. Picture books are works of art that one day might be held in such high esteem that our Art Galleries will value them as much as they do the latest multi million dollar acquisition and proudly have them on permanent display. I love 2 read most anywhere. Even though I love maps and can usually navigate them very well, I can’t read while I travel in a car, which is probably why I do lots of the driving (and no, it is not because I have to be in control). I can’t read while I am travelling in busses or trains - which would make those journeys rather long and tedious were it not for the fact that as I am a children’s writer and a keen observer. This mode of transportation is great for taking notes and scribbling down ideas - but not for too long. You can see the post at the Walk-A-Book blog and have a look at the beautiful header too. Check it out often as more posts will be coming but for now go and have a look.Fortu
It has NOT been a quiet week since getting back home. Of course I added the previous Creative Spaces post from my lovely friend Katie Davis for her blog tour. That was heaps of fun. And in case you didn't hear me you might want to visit Katie's podcast where she spoke to all of us who were part of her tour, about something memorable to do with book launches. I am up early on the podcast and reflected on a launch with one of my pythons. But now to catch up: Last Saturday was Kids Day Out at Glebe Library - their first event for 2012 National Year of Reading, for which I am one of the National Ambassadors. I spent a delighful few hours at the library, first opening the days' programme and then later conducting a SOUNDS SPOOKY reading session. It was really a joy (I lurve reading my own book) and while I was reading Sounds Spooky I noticed a very young bub cradled by her mum quite close to where I was sitting on the floor. As anyone who has read the book knows, there is a part where there is a scream, so when it came time to scream I did screanmed very, very gently watching out of the corner of my eye the mum nad bub. BUT my gentle scream wan't quiet enough ... and they both jumped which was followed by quite a few giggles! I would love to add a photo here of the gathering masses but as I was presenting and my camera swas still tucked in the bag ... there is none to show.
2012 National Year of Reading has begun ... well sort of. The official kick off is next Tuesday in Canberra (ACT) at the National Library of Australia and I will be zapping on down for the day! As National Ambassador already I have been at the Glebe library Kids Day out and written a few articles and blog posts. I feel very privileged and thrilled to be one of the National Ambassadors.
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By: Susanne Gervay,
on 2/4/2012
Blog: Susanne Gervay's Blog
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Hazel Edwards, The Hughenden Boutique Hotel, Christopher Cheng, Meredith Costain, Pamela Rushby, SCBWI Australia and New Zealand, Deborah Abela, Oliver Phommavanh, Sarah Foster Publisher Walker Books, Wendy Fitzgerald author, Zoe Walton publisher Random House, Publisher Penguin Laura Harris, Karen Robertson, Lisa Berryman HarperCollins, 2012 National year of Reading, France Lessac, Jill Corcoran Herman Agency, News, SCBWI, Sally Murphy, Add a tag
 Watch out for the announcement in the next few weeks.
Check out the SCBWI Australia and new Zealand facebook pagewebsite.
It’s a first come first served basis – so when it opens you need to book quickly as it’s a small intimate conference Australia wide and new Zealand.
Some tid bits:-
Jill Corcoran literary agent from the Herman Agency New Yorkmaximum of 100 delegates.
Major Australian publishers have come on board including Lisa Berryman HarperCollins, Laura Harris Penguin, Zoe Walton Random House, Sarah Foster Walker Books …..
 There are wonderful authors and illustrators coming including Sally Murphy, France Lessac, Pamela Rushby, Meredith Costain, Hazel Edwards …. have a great time with the children’s writing community …. more news coming soon.
By: Susanne Gervay,
on 8/18/2011
Blog: Susanne Gervay's Blog
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Room to Read. www.roomtoread.org, Susanne Gervay's I AM JACK, Susanne Gervay's 'Always Jack', Susanne Gervay's Super Jack, 2012 National year of Reading, 2012 Year of Reading, Susanne Gervay is a Reading Ambassador, News, I AM JACK, MONKEY BAA THEATRE, Alannah and Madeline Foundation, Add a tag
 My hectic writing tour for August Book Week/Month has taken me across Sydney from Bankstown to Camden to Wahroonga to Rose Bay to Punchbowl to … everywhere.
I have spoken to 1000′s of young people and teachers. Their responses to my visits and talks leave me emotional and deeply touched.
Here are some of the words and thoughts of the kids:-
When Maisam asked you if you believed in ghosts, your response was just what he needed to hear. The cemetery scene really resonated with him as both his parents died in Afghanistan. I think he is comforted by the thought that they are watching over him and that he can talk to them at anytime, just like you do with your dad.
Once again, I thank you and 5th class thanks you too.
Mohammad told me he was a Muslim. He asked me -’What is your religion?’ I believe in God. ‘Do you believe Mohammad was a prophet? Yes, I believe he is. ‘Do you believe Jesus is a prophet?’ Yes, I believe he is. ‘Do you believe Moses is a prophet? Yes, I believe he is. All religions show us the pathway to good. We are all the same and seek to do good.
“Susanne Gervay, you are hilarious and you taught me an important lesson. Hand on my heart, I promise I will never bully anyone, anywhere. I mean that, so thank you. Say hello to Jack for me. I hope Nanna can visit us too now.”
 
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Innovative, extraordinary, fabulous, exciting – what am I talking about?
The National Year of Reading 2012 has taken author ambassadors all over this beautiful country
Having so many adventures and I’m going to shed a tear on 12th November when I go to Canberra to farewell this extrordinary year of reading.
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