Announcing... This is Banjo Paterson!

Tomorrow, I'm officially in holiday mode, but before I go, I'm thrilled to share with you my newest books--both will be released in February 2017 (National Library Publishing).

This is Banjo Paterson is the follow-up book to This is Captain Cook, and once again features gorgeous illustrations by my dear friend Christina Booth. I'm so excited about this book--an historical picture book for very young children. There'll be a launch here in Canberra on 12 February at the National Library, so keep an eye on my events page for that.

Learn more about the book by clicking on its cover, and if you want to get in early, you can order a copy of the book right here.

Also publishing 1 February is Australian Story: An Illustrated Timeline--a revised edition which includes 2016. This book has become a resource for primary school teachers, so it's wonderful to see the book republished, and with a shiny yellow cover, too.

Learn more by clicking on the cover, and you can order a copy here.

In more exciting news, This is Captain Cook has been shortlisted in the ACT Writing and Publishing Awards! The announcement is tonight at the ACT Writers Centre Christmas Party. Shortlisted with amazing friends and colleagues Stephanie Owen Reeder and Jackie French, I'll be drinking bubbles, whatever happens!

Here's to ending the year bookishly.

Exploring Time and Place Through Children's Literature

from Australian Kids Through the Years, image by Andrew Joyner

Not sure if you know (!), but I love books. And reading. And other cultures. And watching children grow and learn and thrive with the inclusion of all three of these vital components in their lives.

A few months ago, I was asked to write an article for Connections magazine, an initiative of the Schools Catalogue Information Service, which serves schools and libraries in both Australia and New Zealand. The article has just been published in the magazine, and is also online.

In it, I discuss the importance of exposing children to books featuring other places, times, races and cultures. I talk about the benefits of multicultural exposure, which include broader minds and a deeper understanding of both the self and others. Children exposed to other ways of life have a greater willingness to explore and experience life to its fullest, and to pursue friendship, relationship and career opportunities unbound by prejudice, stereotypes and limited thinking.

Now do you know why I love books, reading and other cultures?

You can read the entire article right here.

Letters from Children - Holy Trinity Primary School

It's always a pleasure to visit schools and talk to kids about my books. Recently, I visited Holy Trinity Primary School here in Canberra, and had the most amazing time. I did a presentation on Australian Story, but the wonderful librarian, Kate, had also shared my other books with the kids.

The children (in years 3 and 4) sent me a whole pile of letters after my visit. They were so utterly charming and touching--it was very emotional reading them all.

Below are just a handful of the comments made by the kids. 

THIS is why I write books. Truly.

My favourite part of your presentation is when you put the Julia Gillard wig on Cody and when you put the handcuffs on Daniel.

I find most of your books really interesting. Also, I really like your Australian Story and Tottie and Dot is really funny.

I was the boy wearing the Julia Gillard wig. Loved the work we did with your book Australian Story. I learnt a lot about history ... how much fun!

I just want to thank you for writing those books.

I loved the work we did with your book Australian Story. I learnt a lot about history, no - it is so much fun. I love your work.

I was not there but I hear your presentation was awesome and you are awesome.

I learnt a lot about history - how much fun. My favourite book was Tottie and Dot.

How you make history fun!! You spoke so clearly!

I really liked when you said in the book about the Gold Rush and how you really explained how we got here in the first place.

Because of your story, I know more about Australia--more than I usually know, and I liked when you said 'once there was nothing and then there was something'.

I was really interested in how the process of writing a book is. Your Power Point was fantastic. The way we got to hold things was fun.

You have given inspiration to write a book. I've been asking our librarian so much to borrow your books. Love your books.

I really enjoyed learning about Australian history.

I like how we dressed up and I really enjoyed your [Tottie and Dot] book tour!!!!!!

I loved the way you set out Australian Story and did all the swirly curly writing. My favourite book was Riley and the Curious Koala.

My favourite book you made was Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo.

I think your books are amazing.

I like the way you taught us how to write a book. I like the work we did with your book, it was amazing. I now want to buy it.

I liked the fun way it taught us history. History is a bit more amazing.

I loved the work we did with Australian Story--how you taught us about history and how much fun it can be. You did everything in a fun way.

I liked the way we got dressed up to represent the different times and what was happening. I really enjoyed it.

I thought history was boring but it's not.

The story was really interesting and history is not boring!

You taught me that Gondwanaland was once Australia. I loved learning about history.

I was the one who got to put the Captain Cook wig on. I really loved it.

THANK YOU, oh and thank you for visiting our school. It taught me history and how much fun it can be ... with you.

I love your books about Riley and your Power Point was great and you spoke clearly.

I feel sorry for you only getting $1 per book. You should earn more money, like $246 because your books are great.

By the way, make a big world book including Germany and Australia.

I love your work and I see how much you love your son. I loved the work that you put into the Australian Story. Peace out!

You taught me that history is not boring. You can make history fun.

I enjoyed your presentation, especially how you changed my look on history. It's not just discovering land--it's me brushing my teeth or 11 minutes ago.

I LOVED how you made it fun and interesting in the Power Point.

I loved the way you included us and made us dress up.

The book Australian Story sounded amazing and I can't wait to buy it.

Your Power Point blew my mind.

I really liked that you made little jokes on your Power Point on how history is boring!

All thanks to you, I have a completely new excitement for history.

When you got us to dress up and then show the timeline, it made me feel that history could be writing this letter to you--and brushing my teeth! 

I loved the series of Riley. I liked the sounds you used when you were talking.

I thought your Power Point and speech was fantastic.

I thought your speech was brilliant. I loved how the Power Point was funny when it started disagreeing with you.

I liked you when you're funny--when the [Powerpoint Presentation] said 'okay sorry'.

Before I hated history but you have changed my mind and now I can say to people history is not boring.

It is actually really fun. It was great to see lots of people holding the money, flags, bridges and lots of other really cool, awesome stuff.

It must be fun being an author and writing books. You spoke really clearly and you were really funny.

I loved how you explained your Australian book. It was great to see a book that was not too old and not too young!

I loved how you spoke clearly, dressed up people, your [Tottie and Dot] book tour, and your lovely Power Point.

I learnt a lot about history. How wonderful.

You really entertained me. I didn't know history could be so entertaining.

I really liked your book Tottie and Dot.

My favourite book was the Australian Story.

May favourite book of yours is Tottie and Dot.

My favourite thing I learnt was about how Cathy Freeman was the first Aboriginal to have her face on a postage stamp. I got dressed up as Usain Bolt. I brang in his biography. It talks about how he became good at running and what he did as a kid. Usain Bolt. Faster than lightning.

I think your books are amazing! Especially Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo.

I think that you are an inspirational person. Like Albert Namatjira. Your Power Point was awesome. I learnt a lot about history.

Read!

Thank you for visiting our lovely school. I hope you had a great time!!! Thank you very much for teaching me about history. It was much more interesting than other history.

I really like the book that you wrote Australian Story! It was great to see all the students dressed up. They looked amazing and some were hilarious! I also love your books about Riley's adventures.

You inspired me to write books when I am older.

My fave book was Tottie and Dot and An Aussie Year.

I loved the work you did with your book Australian Story. The best thing I learned was that Samantha Harris was the first [Aboriginal] model on Vogue magazine front cover.

Your Power Point was thenomenal and unreal. My favourite book is Tottie and Dot.

I loved history--how I learnt a lot about it and it can be fun.

Can you put me in one of your books? Pleassssse!

Thank you for making history fun!

I especially liked how you made boring old history fun and enjoyable. Yay! I also enjoyed how you interacted with everyone!

It was great how you made me think history was fun. After school, I went running to mum and dad to tell them what I learnt. My favourite book was Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo. I had great fun. Love, your great friend.

You're cool. Old [ie: the author!] is good.

My favourite book you have written is Tottie and Dot and you have taught me that history is fun.

I like your books and how you put Riley in your books.

History rules!

I admire you very much and it's so amazing how you turn BORING info into fabulous kids books. You also seem like a very nice lady.

It was so much fun!!!! Now I love history.

I love the work we did with Riley and the Sleeping Dragon.

I am borrowing your book Australian Story.

Thanks for making history awesome!

I have learned a lot about history like Gillard was the first woman prime minister of Australia--girl power!

It was so much fun.

My favourite book was Tottie and Dot. I love your books.

You are a great inspiration to us all and we had so much fun.

I loved Australian Story with all the different bands of colours and images. It taught me what happened on the timeline in history.

I really loved your books of Riley.

Your Power Point was engaging. I loved it.

I like your book Tottie and Dot.

Your books are amazing.

You made history fun and exciting. The props you used were awesome!

Australian Story fascinated me a lot. It taught me that history is then ... and then ... and then ... ['then' something else happened, then something else happened ...].

It was great to see everyone getting into the true Aussie spirit.

I was the girl who held up the gold.

I really enjoyed learning about history and how much fun and interesting it is!

Your Power Point was fantastic and funny!

What I learnt was, that actually a long time ago, Australia was part of Antarctica!

I learnt that with some images in books, you have to get permission!

I really like your books, and so do all the children at Holy Trinity.

I learnt a lot about history and how much fun it can be!

I loved your [Tottie and Dot] book tour.

You have inspired me to be an author when I grow up.

I think the idea of your Riley books are cool.

I loved the way you set out the timeline in Australian Story.

Please come back!!!

Australian Story on the Chief Minister's Reading Challenge 2013

Just so lovely to see Australian Story on the Chief Minister's Reading Challenge for schools this year. Hurrah for history books being included on this wonderful list! And so lovely to have the book listed right next to the gorgeous Meredith Costain, too.

You can see the entire list of books here - Australian Story is on the years 5 and 6 list.

Are you up for the challenge?

Australian Story review in SCAN

So wonderful to see this review of Australian Story in SCAN online journal.

australian story review in Reading Time

Really thrilled to see a fantastic review of Australian Story in the CBCA's Reading Time. It's so wonderful to realise my dream of making history cool for kids.

For the sake of transparency, for the year 1880 there are two historian-accredited entries:

The Kelly Gang is captured

Bushranger Ned Kelly is hanged

australian story review on Nina Lim's blog

Warmest thanks to lovely author Nina Lim for this gorgeous review of Australian Story!

australian story review in Good Reading magazine

Thank you, Good Reading magazine!

CBCA South Coast-Illawarra Literary Lunch

What a blast I had at the Literary Lunch organised by the South Coast-Illawara branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia on 19 June. The team did an incredible job with this event, with over 120 kids in attendance, from schools all around Wollongong and the south coast region, and superbly emceed by Aileen Harland.

I LOVE Literary Lunches. There, I said it. Not only are they full of energy, busting with talent and resplendent with books, the fact that dozens upon dozens of book-loving kids are in attendance is just bananas good.

I'm absolutely HOPELESS when it comes to kids - I want to know everything they're reading, why they love it, how much they loved it and what they plan to read next. I want to share MY book loves with them and I want to endlessly discuss our parallels on what we've both read together.

This can be tough when you have a queue of kids out the door, just wanting your signature! I really need to let them off the hook, sign and release them. But the temptation is too great!

I was so fortunate to sit at a table with St Therese Primary School - the kids were so engaging and clever, and {teacher librarian} Michelle {above} was a joy to chat with. I only wish there had been more time, as pretty soon the queue for book and programme signings began to form (and my endless child-questioning on books began).

I also wish I'd had more time to mingle and chat with the myriad authors and illustrators present - an eye-boggling line-up, including Toni Brisland, Di Bates and Bill Condon, Susie Brown, Lynda A Calder, Serena Geddes, Jan Latta, Nathan Luff, Peter Macinnis, Belinda Murrell, Moya Simons, Tony Flowers and Lexie Watt.

Very soon we were all called up to give a quick 3-minute bio on our life and work. It was tough!

Belinda Murrell

Nathan Luff

Jan Latta and Di Bates

Toni Brisland

Susie Brown

Serena Geddes

Lexie Watt

Bill Condon

Tony Flowers

After lunch and MORE signing, it was time for my Australian Story presentation. The kids were called out to the floor, and of course, my power point presentation carked it just as they were sitting down. Considering it had been ready to go for hours, this was just TYPICAL! But things were fixed quick smart and I was soon deep into the presentation - History Is Cool.

I love how engaged and interactive kids become during this presentation - and how smart they are. I think they even surprised their teachers! Hands were going up everywhere - it was amazing (and so hard to choose kids to participate!).

My warmest thanks to the super cool kids who were happy to wear my Capt Cook and Julia Gillard wigs. And extra special thanks to the fabulous CBCA team, headed by Jane Pretty, for such a WONDERFUL experience. Congratulations on a brilliant, super special day, and thank you so much for having me. Personal thanks to the beautiful Bel Ecroyd for helping me with planning for this trip; you're a super star.

And lastly, thanks to the kids! Keep on reading on.

author visit Pleasant Heights PS, Wollongong

Whilst visiting Sydney and the South Coast last week, I had the immense pleasure of presenting at Pleasant Heights Public School in Wollongong. The gorgeous Bel Ecroyd and her colleagues went out of their way to make my visit incredibly warm and happy - and the kids were absolutely gorgeous. They asked some sensational questions and it was a joy to meet so many of them and have a chat.

The students had done a series of incredible posters and illustrations that were plastered all over the walls of the hall. There are too many to list here! but you can see from the images at the end of this post how utterly talented these kids are. I had tears in my eyes! Thank you, kids, for creating such stunning artwork; I absolutely loved it and I'll be adding these to my Riley the Little Aviator site soon!

Here are just some of the many photos of my History is Cool! presentations for Australian Story - I have such fun with kids during these presentations; they get so engaged and love the interactivity as much as I do! The most embarrassing part of the visit was when I handed a massive chunk of VERY heavy gold (that I could barely lift) to one little girl and she just walked away with it like it was made of paper. Embarrassment. I guess I have to get to the gym.

Warmest thanks to Dahlia and Bel and the wonderful team at Pleasant Heights PS - such a gorgeous school with such an amazing setting; as we were driving up the hill to the school, Riley commented on how lucky these kids were to have a school right in the middle of a 'rainforest'! Yes, it's that beautiful.

{CLICK to enlarge these fabulous pics}