National Simultaneous Story Time

Tania's Picks on Kids' Book Review

Very soon on Kids' Book Review, I'm going to be starting a series of posts on some sensational picture book finds. I'm really excited about this because picture books are a deep passion and great love. I'm starting with two books I found at FNAC in Paris - and here I give you a sneak peek at the books' inside pages.

Make sure you check KBR in the coming weeks and months for many more amazing book finds!

We Will Remember Them

Ella, right, Australian Embassy, Beijing - 25 April 2008

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

a weekend in Sydney

on the road again

We love zipping over to Sydney whenever we can. It's never often enough, but seeing War Horse at the Lyric Theater and popping into IKEA were - naturally - great excuses. We stayed at the Swissotel right in the heart of the city, on Market Street {Myer and Top Shop across the street!} - a heavenly spot. Only 20 mins walk to The Rocks, which I love to haunt.

Here is a little glimpse of our weekend which included a must-do breakfast at Sonoma at Bondi Beach. We also spent a considerable amount of time in the mega Dymocks on George Street and I can't wait show you my picture book finds.

Soon, my pretties!

torrential rain upon arrival

Riley and the Dancing Lion on Mum's Lounge

I'm really loving Jasmine Berry's gorgeous site for wee ones - Read to My Child. I was fortunate to have Jasmine read Riley and the Dancing Lion on the site, and the book has also appeared on Mum's Lounge, which is very exciting. You can see the post here.

So exciting - thanks, Jasmine!

CBCA Book of the Year 2013 - Shortlist Announcement

Civic Library today held a wonderful event for this year's Children's Book Council of Australia Shortlist announcement. Judges from all over Australia were in attendance, along with the divine Boori Monty Pryor, Children's Laureate and other special guests.

The gorgeous Rosemary Thomas made a fabulous emcee {above, second from right}. She introduced CBCA President for the ACT, Leanne Barrett {above right} who welcomed guests and honoured the Indigenous landowners of Canberra so eloquently.

We then heard from Vanessa Little, Director of Libraries ACT, who spoke on the connection between books and libraries. She also spoke of the continuing work of Love 2 Read (formally the National Year of Reading).

Next we heard from CBCA National President Angela Briant . . .

. . . and then - my favourite part of the Shortlist Announcement - the involvement of kids. From little poppets to senior students, it was fantastic to hear their thoughts on which books should be shortlisted.

I was so delighted to see a young girl choose Australian Story - what great taste she has. ;)

It was then onto the Real Deal. Each category and the shortlisted books were read out by Vanessa Little and Belle Alderman from the Lu Rees Archive.

And - drum roll, please - here is the 2013 shortlist!

Older Readers Short List 2013 Author Title Publisher ISBN Grant, Neil The Ink Bridge Allen & Unwin 9781742376691 Lanagan, Margo Sea Hearts Allen & Unwin 9781742375052 MacLeod, Doug The Shiny Guys Penguin Group 9780143565307 Touchell, Dianne Creepy & Maud Fremantle Press 9781921888953 Wakefield, Vikki Friday Brown Text Publishing 9781921922701 Zail, Suzy The Wrong Boy Black Dog Books, Walker Books Australia 9781742031651 These books are for mature readers Younger Readers Short List 2013 Author Title Publisher ISBN French, Jackie Pennies for Hitler Angus & Robertson, HarperCollins 9780732292096 French, Simon Other Brother Walker Books Australia 9781921720833 Gleitzman, Morris After Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia) 9780670075447 Hartnett, Sonya Children of the King Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia) 9780670076130 Herrick, Steven Pookie Aleera is Not my Boyfriend University of Queensland Press 9780702249280 Millard, Glenda Ill. Stephen Michael King The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk HarperCollins 9780733329838 Intended for independent younger readers. Early Childhood Short List 2013 Author Title Publisher ISBN Allen, Emma Ill. Freya Blackwood The Terrible Suitcase Scholastic Press, Omnibus Books 9781862919402 Cox, Tania Ill. Karen Blair With Nan Windy Hollow Books 9781921136122 DeGennaro, Sue The Pros & Cons of Being a Frog Scholastic Press, Scholastic Australia 9781742830636 Dubosarsky, Ursula Ill. Andrew Joyner Too Many Elephants in This House Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia) 9780670075461 Harris, Christine Ill. Ann James It's a Miroocool! Little Hare Books, Hardie Grant Egmont 9781921541018 Walker, Anna Peggy Scholastic Press, Scholastic Australia 9781742832708 Intended for children in the pre-reading to early reading stages. Picture Book Short List 2013 Author Title Publisher ISBN Brooks, Ron Ill. Julie Hunt The Coat Allen & Unwin 9781741146059 Goodman, Vivienne Ill. Margaret Wild Tanglewood Omnibus Books Scholastic Press 9781862915701 Gordon, Gus Herman and Rosie Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia) 9780670076031 Lester, Alison Sophie Scott Goes South Viking Books, Penguin Group (Australia) 9780670880683 Mullins, Patricia Ill. Glenda Millard Lightning Jack Scholastic Press, Scholastic Australia 9781741693911 Wilson, Mark Ill. Jackie French A Day to Remember Angus & Robertson, Harper Collins 9780732293604 Intended for an audience ranging from birth to 18 years range (Some books may be for mature readers). Eve Pownall Award for Information Books Short List 2013 Author Title Publisher ISBN Cheng, Christopher & Jackson, Mark Python Walker Books, Australia 9781921529603 Kerin, Jackie Ill. Gouldthorpe, Peter Lyrebird! A True Story Museum Victoria 9781921833045 Murray, Kirsty Topsy-turvy World: How Australian Animals Puzzled Early Explorers National Library of Australia 9780642277497 Queensland Art Gallery Portrait of Spain for Kids Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art 9781921503467 Weidenbach, Kristin Ill. Ide, Timothy Tom the Outback Mailman Lothian Children’s Books, Hachette Australia 9780734412249 Intended for an audience ranging from birth to 18 years. (Some books may be for mature readers).

Huge congrats to everyone who shortlisted! most especially my fellow National Library of Australia author, Kirsty Murray, for her stunning book Topsy-Turvy World and the gorgeous Andy Joyner (who I am working with on a book!) for his fantabulous Too Many Elephants in this House! book with Ursula Dubosarsky.

The other reason I love events like this - beyond the joy of revelling in great books - is that I get to spend time with really beautiful, supportive and gorgeous people. It was a joy to catch up with so many wonderful peeps, including my gorgeous author pal Tracey Hawkins and the truly divine Boori Monty Pryor, who is in town for a whirlwind visit. He even brought me a little pressie from the Bologna Children's Book Fair. What a sweetheart.

Make sure you get your hands on the shortlisted and notable books before 23 August, when the winners will be announced. Good luck, everyone!

sneak peek - a very special kids' book

Who are these kids? They're five little Aussies, poised to take you on a journey through Australian childhood . . .

One of the dreamiest things about being an author is the moment you realise your vision is not only going to come to life - it's going to be look a whole lot better than you even ever imagined it. And this is especially special when it's one of your friends who is helping this vision unfold.

This August, three of my picture books will be released {can't wait to show you all three!} and one of them is from a manuscript that's very dear to my heart. I wrote it a long time ago {though, like all books, it's morphed through several incarnations} and after some almost-published let-downs, it's still quite surreal to realise the book is finally, finally going into print.

It's being illustrated by one of my dearest friends, Tina Snerling, who worked on handmade living with me back in 2010, and her illustrations for the book have surpassed all expectation. The book is quite special in the way it's been laid out, but here is a little sneak peek at just some of the images that will comprise the book.

Don't worry - Tassie has since been added! {above}

In the coming weeks, I'll also give you a little peek at my other books - and will reveal titles and covers soon. I'll be in Brisbane early August for this book's launch {Black Cat Books, Saturday 3 August} and there'll be several Canberra book parties and launches, so keep an eye on my blog for more - would love to see you there!