Announcing Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo

My warmest thanks to Barbara Braxton for this wonderful pre-release review of Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo - out this August! I am also delighted to reveal the cover of the book for the first time. It's the best Riley adventure yet! and just in time for Canberra's glorious Centenary.

Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo
by Tania McCartney and Kieron Pratt
Ford Street Publishing, 2013
Hbk. 9781925000023

Riley is an aviator who likes to travel with his friends in his red tin plane and see the world and explore other cities and countries - usually in search of some pesky critter who likes to hide! Following his adventures in Beijing, Hong Kong, Sydney and Melbourne, this adventure takes him to Canberra in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our nation’s capital. Starting with being startled by strange noises in the chamber of Parliament House, Riley dashes outside to discover a kangaroo popping and pinging all over those famous lawns. Jumping into his little red plane with his friends Panda, Dragon, Lion, Koala and Wombat, they follow the kangaroo on a journey around the famous landmarks of Canberra, coming to rest when she finally finds what she’s lost.

It is the illustrations which give this book its charm – cartoon-like graphics superimposed on actual photos of the Canberra landscape which tickled Miss 6’s fancy. As a native of Canberra the places were very familiar to her and she loved pointing them out and telling me stories about them. Her favourite is Questacon followed by the National Museum of Australia.

But this is not just a book for Canberra children. As the national capital, the city has a number of significant buildings such as Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial and the National Library of Australia, all of which are free to visitors, so as well as being a great souvenir of a visit, it would also be a great introduction particularly for groups planning to visit here. A great addition to all that is happening in Canberra in 2013 canberra100.com.au and worth a place on the shelves. Where would Riley and his friends visit if they came to your town?

Barbara Braxton
Teacher Librarian
M.Ed.(TL), M.App.Sci.(TL), M.I.S. (Children's Services)

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to meditate or not to meditate

Meditation has always been a large part of my life. The understanding, stress-relief and joy it's brought me have had untold benefits to my heart, soul and mind - and perhaps now, more than ever, meditation is something I really need.

Alas, it's also been something that's been very 'on and off' for me. A bit like exercise. And avoiding sugar. And taking time out. I spend a year getting right into it, then quickly lose steam. Why do we do this to ourselves??

Local gal, producer Jennifer Sexton, has been a long-time meditator and when she recently contacted me to show me her meditation package - Your Journey - I looked to the heavens and I said "thank you for sending Jennifer my way".

Jennifer's guided meditation and handbook have been endorsed by Qantas and have even been used as part of their inflight entertainment services. The DVD is good for all ages, even kids.

Like all things that are really really good for me, I'm fully aware I need to make the time to do this. It's ironic that we all crave great health and stress-relief, yet fail to take time to harness life-giving activities like meditation. Along with exercise and nutrition and good sleep, I do believe meditation is up there in regard to positive health benefits and I'm so looking forward to getting into this DVD.

You can learn more about Your Journey at www.yourjourney.com.au, and Jennifer even has a downloadable version for smartphones and ipads - right here.

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Our big trip - Days 23 + 24: Bangkok

We simply adore Bangkok. It was our second time in the Thai capital and we loved it all - from the noise and the people to the food and the colour. From local markets to Ferris wheels to dumplings at Din Tai Fung to Dean and DeLuca to fish nibbling our toes. Oh - and the shopping!

Here is a glimpse of our first two days, running around, sucking in the delight of this sensational capital.

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our big trip - Days 23 + 24: Brussels

Up early from The Hague, we took the local train to Rotterdam {admiring the snow-swept landscape along the way} then changed for Brussels, arriving into Brussels Central. It's such a fast journey, we were in the heart of the city by 10.00am.

Brussels Central was busy as a frosty bee - they had workers creating an enormous ice carving on the concourse . . . just like The Netherlands, Belgian train stations are pretty much open-air. No refrigeration required to keep this icy monstrosity in shape. Take you coats with you.

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bookaday Day 8: a book about animals

Day 8: a book about animals. #bookaday #mylittlebookcase Well, insects, really - hope they qualify! A favourite author yet again - Davide Cali - with this retro classic-in-the-making... A murder mystery comic strip style PB that's funny and just mesmerising. #books #childrensbooks #comics #literarybliss #wilkinsfarago @jackie_mylittlebookcase @annawilkins1 @wilkinsfarago

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#bookaday Day 7: onomatopoeia

Day 7: onomatopoeia. #bookaday #mylittlebookcase I adore books featuring onomatopoeia. They are especially wonderful for the very young. This photographic picture book by Mini Goss features two adorable knitted pals who brave the frosty, blustery weather for a play outside. Along the way, they stomp and bounce and thump and brrrrr against the cold. Really adorable - a book that leaves you feeling cosy. #books #childrensbooks #picturebooks #minigoss @jackie_mylittlebookcase

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#bookaday Day 6: a favourite author

Day 6: a favourite author. #bookaday #mylittlebookcase Davide Cali and Serge Bloch are two of my very favourite authors, so this unique, gorgeous book which combines the two, is pure heaven for me. A book for children with complete crossover appeal, it truly makes my heart race - combining Bloch's iconic illos with photography and luscious yet simple text. #books #childrensbooks #sergebloch #davidecali @chloekillen @jackie_mylittlebookcase

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#bookaday Day 5: a green message

Day 5: a green message. #bookaday #mylittlebookcase Sorry - absolutely shameless plug but I'm SO excited about this book. It uses botanical imagery from the National Library of Australia's digital collection, plus my photography of children. Out this August! #books #childrensbooks #environment #ecology #flora #fauna #kids @mylittlebookcase

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Author Interview - NaPiBoWriWee

Delighted to visit Paula Yoo's sensational site today with this interview on Picture Books, their place in the market and their future. Paula is the founder of NAPIBOWRIWEE - National Picture Book Writing Week - now in its fifth year and going strong.

The week runs from May 1 - 7, and I have appeared on Day 6 of this sensational initiative. Make sure you hotfoot it to Paula's site to check out all the action, and diarise it next year - if you love PBs, you'll want to take part.

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our big trip - day 20: The Hague

Back in The Hague again, we woke to a mass of snow in the back yard of our townhouse. The kids, yet again, had their coats on in nanoseconds, and were out for a play and a snowball whacking or twenty. SO wish we could have such snowfall at our house.

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#bookaday Day 4: a favourite cover

Day 4: a favourite cover. #bookaday #mylittlebookcase Illustrated by famed French comic artist Blexbolex, using his iconic layered screenprinting techniques, this retro-looking book gave me major heart-palpitations when i first saw the cover. I often just put it on display, as art. #books #childrensbooks @jackie_mylittlebookcase #blexbolex

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#bookaday Day 3: a book you love to read aloud

Day 3: a book you love to read aloud. #bookaday #mylittlebookcase Along with Lynley Dodd of the Hairy Maclary series, David Kirk is one of surprisingly few picture book authors who write rhyming text so infallibly and exquisitely. After well over a decade, I can still recite much of this adorable book. Just like Dr Seuss books, it's a joy to read aloud. #books #childrensbooks @jackie_mylittlebookcase

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#bookaday Day 2: a book that makes your children laugh

Day 2: a book that makes your children laugh. #bookaday #mylittlebookcase Ted's work is just genius - kooky and totally off-the-wall. We've had this book for around a decade and it still makes us giggle. #books #childrensbooks @jackie_mylittlebookcase

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#bookaday Day 1: a classic

Day 1: a classic. #bookaday #mylittlebookcase I've bought my daughter every Eloise book over the years. First published in the '50s, Kay Thompson's iconic classics were partly inspired by her goddaughter Liza Minnelli. I simply adore these books. #books #childrensbooks @jackie_mylittlebookcase

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our big trip - day 19: Amsterdam

Our second day in Amsterdam began with a very excited Riley. Standing on the edge of his bed and peeking out the window to the alleyway below, we were woken to the following squeals:

"Snow! Snow!"

And indeed, all night long it had snowed - and there was snow snow snow everywhere. The kids were dressed in lightning-fast time and out the door before breakfast, squealing in the street with glee, much to the amusement of commuters on their way {cycling, of course} to work.

After a fabulous breakfast at the hotel, we hotfooted it out into this frosty, heavy snow day - and I swear to you - there was not five metres covered in any direction, ALL DAY LONG, without a snowball being thrown. It was truly hysterical.

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