Riley and the Dancing Lion Book Launch Party

WOW! What a fantabulous time we had at Daltons Books in Canberra City on Sunday to launch Riley and the Dancing Lion.

With a shop festooned with glorious orange balloons and red Chinese lanterns, the kids tumbled in about 11.30am.

Over 100 people packed into Daltons and the outdoor courtyard area next to the store, to begin nibbling on festive treats like Meredith's glorious white Christmas and chocolate crackles and platters full of my gingerbread men, Chinese crackers and fortune cookies and Christmas candy.

Bethany Hewitt and Ella McCartney

Beya Babyack and Daniel Hollier-Smith

The kids nibbled on treats, sipped on juice boxes and began colouring in pictures of illustrator Kieron Pratt's glorious rapper lion and ballerina.

I then began schmoozing with all of my gorgeous guests and sponsors. Here I am (below) with the fabulous Paula Kos from Little Living, who had this incredible plate made by ensparkle - with Riley in his plane on the front. This was offered as a prize, and Paula also gifted a plate to me. Yes, there were tears.

It was so lovely to have the wonderful Barbie Robinson along...

And my lovely and talented friend Candice Edye of The Marketing Coach...

And a couple of crazy people...

...like Steve Whisker from Kelly Sports, who did an AMAZING job entertaining the kids outside the store with sporting and circus tricks - and the most divine hairstyling I've ever seen. Yes, it's his real hair. ;)

The kids then came inside to hear the reading of Riley and the Dancing Lion...

After a few thank yous, we got into the story...

How amazing to have such a captive audience...

And to see the kids react to the storyline and laugh at Kieron's wonderful illustrations.

Me on the mic and author Ingrid Jonach (right)

After the reading, we gave away some gorgeous prizes from my marvellous sponsors, then I introduced two fab local authors. Ingrid Jonach gave away a copy of her sensational chapter book The Frank Frankie, then it was an enormous pleasure to introduce Mimi King, who has penned her first book - Poppy Tried to Sleep.

Then the guests gave photographer Jen Leheny plenty of excuse to take fabulous pictures.

Lisa Barrett from Canberra's Got Style and Tango & James, with her boys

 
Jennie McClelland of Posie Patchwork and edna & alice may

Daltons owner Meredith Wright (right) with friend Tracey

Amita Monterola and daughter Bella

After the prize-giving, I began signing books while the kids ran in and outside, squealing about the fabulousness of Steve from Kelly Sports.

With Jennie from Posie Patchwork

Little Emily Currie awaits the book signing

Chrisoula Karatzas and daughter Evelyn


colouring in

The kid master at work...

As things wound down, I found an excuse (any excuse) to hang with my sensational illustrator and allround nice guy, Kieron Pratt (below).

Huge thanks to everyone who came along to the launch and shared in this very exciting time. Eternal thanks to Meredith from Daltons and to my sponsors and my family and friends for their unfailing support.

Thanks also to the wonderful Jen Leheny of Red Instead for these glorious photos. Don't forget to visit Jen's site for more pictures taken on the day.

See you same time next year for the launch of

Riley and the Curious Koala...!

Kids Parties A-Z