Dorrie event at the State Library of New South Wales

Join me at the State Library of NSW on Friday 21 April for a journey through the illustrations in Dorrie - my picture book on the life of Dorothy Wall, creator of Blinky Bill.

We’ll do a book reading, then will compare illustration styles with Dorothy’s works. There’ll also be some of her original artwork on display!

Kids will also enjoy an illustration tutorial on some of Australia’s most beautiful plants and animals. My little Blinky Bill toy from the 1970s may help out, too.

There will be some Dorrie colouring sheets to take home and I’ll be signing some books, too.

The event runs from 11:30am to 12:30pm. Head to the State Library of NSW website for more info and to book.

Cover reveal! Wildlife Compendium of the World

I'm delighted to reveal the cover to my upcoming tome, Wildlife Compendium of the World! This book was some years in the making and is a true labour of love. What a joy it was to research and write about these extraordinary animals from every continent on Earth, and to draw each one in all their incredible, adorable, unique and sometimes terrifying glory!

Review: AlphaKid on Kids' Book Review

This review from the amazing Dimity Powell, like all of her reviews, just - wow. Such evocative language and, for those of you who also write, having a reviewer not only clearly 'see' your work, but understand it... it's everything. 

And in fact, to then go on and explain, with clarity, their understanding... and en plus - ADD observations you didn't even see... well. Thanks, Dim.

'...AlphaKid: An A – Z of Antics is the latest in her cache of kids’ books exploring the natural wonders and inhabitants of planet Earth, and it’s a cracker.

There are A, B, C books and then there are A, B, C books that not only educate but necessitate repeated visits because their artwork is so captivating and their presentation so clever, they warrant closer inspection. AlphaKid falls squarely into the latter category...'

See the entire review here.

 

 

LECTURE: Images and Roles of Australian Animals in Picture Books - National Library of Korea

Earlier in the year, I was invited to speak at the 국립중앙도서관 National Library of Korea.

Alas - you know, Covid.

Huge thanks to Hyung-Joo Park and her amazing team, the event is going ahead virtually. I will be lecturing (along with Dr Christopher Richardson and Hyung-Joo Park), and my talk will be on the images and roles of Australian Animals in Picture Books.

I hope to share a small portion of the lecture later.

How wonderful it is to share and promote a passion for literature between our countries. It's been the most glorious experience.

Review of Fauna in Magpies Magazine

Happy Release Day, Fauna!

Happy release day, Fauna! You are one of my deepest loves, and I hope children all over Australia fall into your pages and marvel at the truly breathtaking and unique and incredible and totally COOL animals we hold dear in this nation.

To celebrate, herewith just some of the animals featured in the book... and stay tuned for my Fauna window, installing at the National Library of Australia Bookshop Tuesday 5 November. The book is already in reprint and you can snaffle a copy online here.

#fauna

Ivy Bird sold to North America

Jess Racklyeft and our publisher at Windy Hollow, Cristina Pase, are absolutely delighted to release Ivy Bird into North America in 2020. Rights have been sold to Blue Dot Kids Press, a new children's publisher based in San Francisco.

Ivy will be one of several books launching Blue Dot's inaugural season, and we couldn't be more thrilled. Just look at this gorgeous, quirky line-up - so exciting!

Fauna photo shoot - a peek inside!

When your new book undergoes a photo shoot, sweetie darling. 

Fauna is a bit shy. It needed a little tempting (delectable treats and sweet talk), but eventually poked its whiskery face out from the leaves ... and even allowed a page peek. AND a short video! 

Hope you enjoy this glimpse inside the covers - beautiful matte paper and production values to die for. Thank you, National Library of Australia.

Fauna: Australia's Most Curious Creatures is out November. You can buy online or where all good books are sold.

Learn more about the book here. 

I'll be installing a Fauna window at the National Library Bookshop early on Tuesday 5 November. Pop by and say hello! I can sign a copy of the book while you're there (and you can take a peek at the Story Time Australian Children's Literature Exhibition and enjoy a divine coffee at Bookplate - win win!).

COVER REVEAL! Fauna: Australia's Most Curious Creatures

I'm thrilled to reveal the cover for my upcoming book with the National Library of Australia - Fauna: Australia's Most Curious Creatures - a graphic design-style book featuring some of our most curious and marvellous and eye-popping creatures. Being Australian, it's easy to forget how unique and remarkable our animals are - and Fauna celebrates these creations, both present and past ... with plenty of ecological references, including conservation status.

The book is out 1 November, but if you live near the National Library, you might snaffle a book sooner from the bookshop, and you can also pre-order the book right here.

Also, if you live in Canberra or plan to visit, I'll be installing a Fauna window at the NLA bookshop soon - it will be in situ for November and perhaps longer, so do pop by for a look.

Here is some more info on the book... and if you scroll down, you may just see a peek at an internal page spread!

Ivy Bird Auction!

In celebration of the release of Ivy Bird, my latest picture book with Jess Racklyeft (Windy Hollow Books), I’m auctioning two of the birds I crocheted to celebrate the book. All proceeds (less postage) will be donated to Bird Life Australia, an organisation dedicated to creating a bright future for Australian birds.

To partake, head to my INSTAGRAM account.  

Auction runs until Saturday 14 September, 5pm, Sydney time. Bids are in Australian dollars.

Each bird has a reserve of AU$50. Bidding must be in increments of $5. Smaller bids won’t apply.

To bid, leave a comment stating the bird you are bidding on and the bid price (e.g. PEDRO $55). Bid as many times as you like.

The last bids for both birds will win – please note that the bids MUST have been placed BEFORE the clock ticks over to 5pm.

Birds can only be posted within Australia.

Winners will find some little surprises in their package along with the birds.

Winners will be tagged straight after auction and will be private messaged for postal addresses. PLEASE NOTE: winners have 24 hours to respond to the message and to send payment before I offer to the next bidder. I will outline payment options in the private message.

ABOUT THE BIRDS

COSSIMA THE CANARY is an actress and singer. She's stylish, sleek and has a magical voice. She can often be found in the world's finest jazz bars (where she's been likened to Edith Piaf), but she loves nothing more than singing along to an audio book. Her favourite book is Ivy Bird. Cossima measures 30cm from head to claws.

PEDRO THE PEACOCK may look showy, but he's humble and extremely intelligent. He likes to spend his time exploring and solving problems, and especially loves analysing the impact humans are having on climate change. At night, he simply adores wrapping his feathers around a good book. His favourite book is Ivy Bird.

Birds are handmade, with no removable parts.

Learn more about the book, Ivy Bird, right here. 

The Ivy Bird BIRD CREW!

Finally, I have Ivy Bird in my clutches! Copies arrived this morning and I've been peeping like a chick over the divine production values--beautiful paper, stunning colour. Very happy! And to celebrate their arrival, of course, I had to have a photo shoot.

Introducing the Ivy Bird Bird Crew. I've spent the last couple of months hooking these darlings, with mountains of yarn and stuffing for plump tummies and thighs. Some of these birds will soon be flying the nest ... one will be given away on Kids' Book Review, along with a copy of the book (signed by moi!). 

bird costume ideas for little ones - celebrating Ivy Bird

In just two weeks, Ivy Bird will take flight! Release date is 1 September, and in celebration, here are some fabulous dress-up ideas for the little chicks in your life. Or the big chicks. {Watercolour images from the book by Jess Racklyeft.}

Ivy Bird loves to play dress-ups. From warbling in the early morning light like a magpie to donning her owl hat to hoot in the dark at bedtime, she takes great delight in mimicking her bird friends. It might be a very special red robin outfit, a peacock tail of leaves and flowers in the garden, or a rainbow lorikeet cape to help her fly with her feathered friends.

It's time to play dress-ups!

Scotty Day at Nutcote

Of course, May has my favourite flower on her doorstep

Sydney, especially its north shore, was my stomping ground in the mid-1980s and early '90s. It was an incredible time of glamour and excess. I still have my diary from that time, and 30 nights of every month were pretty much filled with some fabulous event (yes, even February). Days were for work. Things were a wee spot busy.

Perhaps that's why I failed to visit May Gibbs' beautiful house in Neutral Bay--Nutcote. Sometimes we have bliss on our doorstep and we simply miss it, you know? I don't know why we do that to ourselves. Why do we do that?

I made up for things today.

Hubster and I drove to Nutcote early this morning, where I had three hours of happy. The gorgeous Stephanie greeted me and showed me around. The grounds are superb and of course the house--the house. I stood in wonder.

I touched May's drawing desk. And her writing desk. It was momentous. There may have been tears.

And I imagined her busy by the sweet little studio light dangling from the ceiling, as she often created at night. I saw hand-knitted socks made just for her. I swooped my hand in the sink with its wooden bench and imagined her washing dishes. I pictured her tending the hydrangeas outside the front door, and sitting on the balcony overlooking the Harbour Bridge, the city skyline, the bobbing boats ... and the ferries swooshing by.

The house is magnificent, and testament to May's progressive nature. The architecture is a blending of Georgian, Arts and Crafts and Mediterranean architecture (thank you, Edwina) and hosts many features that were unusual for the time (the house was designed and built in 1924/25 with architect BJ Waterhouse; read more about it here), such as built-in bookshelves and wardrobes, and a large main room that cleverly provided several living spaces.

The lovely Jackie Hosking of Pass It On Ezine gave Fauna a quick review, above.

Fauna in Harry Hartog Handbook

So lovely to see Fauna in the Harry Hartog Handbook - December 2019.

Cover reveal - The Gum Family Finds Home

I'm so delighted to showcase the cover for my next book with friend and illustrious illustrator, Christina Booth--The Gum Family Finds Home--published by the National Library of Australia.

It's all about a darling family of koalas, on the hunt for a more 'stable and rock solid' home. Leaving their flimsy gum tree, they set out on a tour of Australia, discovering a range of our magnificent geological sites. Not only do they learn a lot, they also learn that home is pretty much where the heart is. But where will that home be?

The book is out this August and I'll soon have some giveaways and koala-like fun on my blog, so keep your eyes peeled!

You can grab a peek at the internal pages in my blog post for the NLA right here, and if you're really keen, you can pre-order a copy here!

we're going to the zoo zoo zoo

How about you? The National Zoo and Aquarium - school holiday fun today.

this beautiful creature was playing with the rope like a toy. the kindly keeper, untangled her

true love

beautiful bunnies

Our beautiful bunnies, Mango (left) and Max, scored a new home today. We're in spring mode - garden cleanup, veggie patch-plotting, plunging herb seedlings into soil, trimming, fertilising, repotting some colour, oohing and ahhing as daffodils push their heads through the soil. It's lovely times.

Happy housewarming, bunnies!