Tilly Goes to China

Just received in the post today - the Chinese edition of Tilly's Treasure. It's nice knowing so many more kids will meet little Tilly.

Afternoon tea, anyone?

This week I had afternoon tea at Punchbowl Public School, along with three other wonderful authors - Libby Hathorn, Oliver Phommavanh and Susanne Gervay. The event was organised by Carol Keeble from the Children's Book Council, and Trevor Neville, Librarian at Punchbowl Public.

Each author shared their experience of writing with an enthusiastic audience of children and parents. We talked, listened, imagined, empathised...and we laughed a lot. Thank you to Trevor and Punchbowl Public for organising such a great afternoon.

Long Live Librarians!

This week I visited Wiley Park Public School as a Role Model for the Books In Homes Project. The Project's aim is to improve literacy by providing disadvantaged children with books they can take home to share with their families - and I'm honoured to play a small part.

I sat in the comfy rocking chair usually reserved for lovely Librarian, Gillian Maugle, and spoke to 70 very eager Year 2 children. What struck me most about these kids was that they already had a love of books...and I have no doubt that their Librarian had at least a little to do with that. The experience verified something I already knew. Schools need Librarians - as much as they need Libraries. Because a Library without one is like a deep, dark cave. It takes a Librarian to shed light on the gems hidden within its walls.

More good news for Arnie!

Arnie Avery has been shortlisted for Speech Pathology Australia's - Book of the Year Awards. http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/news-and-events/book-of-the-year-awards#Young_Children

Each year, Speech Pathology Australia awards three Australian authors the “Best Book for Language and Literacy Development” in the categories – Young Children, Lower Primary and Upper Primary. Each award is based on the book’s appeal to children, interactive quality and ability to assist speech pathologists and parents in communication and literacy development.

Writing Tip # 4: Freewriting

Just as athletes warm-up with stretches before they exercise, I often warm-up before writing. My favourite warm-up is freewriting. But what is freewriting? Freewriting is writing without planning, and these are the rules:

1. Write whatever comes into your head (no matter how strange)
2. Don’t correct your work
3. Don’t stop until your time is up.

Why not try it? Write for three minutes without stopping and you might be surprised with what you’ve written. Maybe it could be something you can use in a story.

Arnie Avery: Crystal Kite Finalist!

Arnie Avery is having an amazing run at the moment. First a CBC Notable Book, and now a finalist in the SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards.

http://www.scbwi.org/Pages.aspx/Current-News?2011-Crystal-Kite-Finalists-Announced

Children's Book Council, Book of the Year Awards

I'm sure there were many anxious authors and illustrators this morning - all awaiting the Short List announcement for the Children's Book of the Year Awards. This year, my book Arnie Avery was in the running and I'm thrilled to say it made the Children's Book Council NOTABLE BOOK List for 2011.

http://cbca.org.au/YoungerReaders_Notables_2011.htm

It's incredible to see my name listed alongside some multi award-winning Australian authors...Jackie French, Garth Nix, Bob Graham...Congratulations to every Notable author and illustrator. What a fine list of books.