Meet the NLA Author Event at National Library, Canberra

One of my favourite places to visit is the National Library of Australia. I always have the best experiences there--from cookies at the cafe to meetings with my wonderful publisher to fabulous events that tie in with fabulous festivals like Showcase: The Second Annual Festival of Australian Children's Literature.

Today I had the pleasure of reading Eco Warriors to the Rescue! (alongside my publisher Susan Hall) to some gorgeous kids and their accompanying adults, before listening to Susan read her adorable book What's Dad Doing? alongside NLA editor Joanna Karmel (below).

The kids then enjoyed a wonderful (spooky!) reading from author Nina Poulos and illustrator Cheryl Westenberg of their book Night Monsters.

In between readings, the kids enjoyed some fabulous activities including word searches, colouring-in, making their own finger puppets and drawing monsters with Cheryl. They loved it!

To finish off, the lovely Stephanie Owen Reeder enchanted the kids with an exuberant reading of Dance Like a Pirate, where the kids hopped and leapt and stretched and had a grand time.

What a joy it is to see parents and grandparents and children immersing themselves in fabulous books, and sharing a love of reading. I even met two young girls--Christine was just 7 and Adele just 6--who have an entire catalogue of their own written and illustrated books. They brought several to show me. I asked them if they would ask me along to their book launches one day, and they said yes.

What more could you ask for?

Congratulations to the NLA and to Belle Alderman and the team from Showcase for yet another fabulous event in their incredible festival line-up. There's still two more events to come! For more on these events and the Festival of Australian Children's Literature in general, click on the posters below. #showcasefest

Dinosaurs Love Cheese! Jackie French and Nina Rycroft at Civic Library

The kids and I had a lovely afternoon last week, visiting Civic Library and listening to the superlative Jackie French talk about her gorgeous picture book Dinosaurs Love Cheese. The event was part of the Festival of Australian Children's literature, running in Canberra until 15 November.

Illustrator Nina Rycroft also spoke about her illustration process, and it was such a treat to have a sneak peek at her original drafts, and to see an entire double page spread come to life--from first sketch to final--via a stop motion video.

Jackie and Nina were in town to celebrate of the opening of a superb exhibition, curated by Sara Rapp, on Dinosaurs Love Cheese--which features dozens upon dozens of original drafts and in-process drawings, as well as final images.

The exhibition also features books by both creators, and fun activities for the kids, presented in a beautiful atmosphere on the mezzanine level at Civic Library, Canberra.

Belle Alderman, Director of the Festival, opens proceedings

Jackie delights us with her words

CBCA National President Angela Briant officially opens the exhibition

illustrator Nina Rycroft treats us to her work

Nina and Jackie

Do drop by before 30 October, if you can, to see this superb curation of work, and check out the upcoming Festival events, continuing on until 15 November ... more info below.

See more here. #showcasefest

Showcase Festival: Morris Gleitzman and Garth Nix

As part of the Showcase Festival of Australian Children's Literature last week, I had the privilege and joy of meeting both Garth Nix and Morris Gleitzman, and hearing them speak on their work.

Garth paid visit to Dickson Library with a sensational talk on his Writing Fantasy journey, which was eye-opening, entertaining and very funny. Garth is a gracious and warm speaker, most willing to share his creative learnings--and the adults and kids in the audience were held in quiet rapture as he spoke.

I loved learning about Garth's very first book--The Coin Shower (written at age 6). It was 'self-published' (ie: stapled together on yellowing paper). Also loved hearing about an early book called Very Clever Babies' First Reader--and was aimed at babies 3 to 6 months. The next book in the series was The Clever Babies' Guide to the Greenhouse Effect. Too cool.

I also loved hearing about his delusional author leanings as a young writer. He was convinced his first book, The Ragwitch (1991) would sell squillions and he could give up his day job and it would change his life. It didn't. One of his 'good' friends said he might just be a one-book wonder so Garth worked to prove him wrong.

Garth's first Sabriel book was a success but a slow burner. This nevertheless didn't stop him from proving he wasn't a one-book wonder. Such a lesson in author persistent, Garth now has too many successful books to list. He said it was a good thing that he didn't know when to quit (though he also intimated he was perhaps too dumb to quit--may I be so dumb).

If you missed the talk, you can see it on YouTube here. 

That same afternoon, I attended a writing workshop run by Morris Gleitzman at the ACT Writers Centre.

Like Garth, Morris has a wickedly dry sense of humour (which shows in his books) and shows a deep generosity to other writers, sharing all he has learned in his long and illustrious literary career.

It was fantastic to be able to bounce ideas of Morris, to ask him questions and to learn about his own writing processes and what he thinks 'works' -- mostly in the genre of junior fiction writing, but much of what he shared could be used cross-genre.

It was interesting to note that although both writers handed out stacks of writing advice, both said there is no 'best' way to write and that authors should alway take writing advice with a grain of salt.


There's more to come for the Showcase Festival this week. Check out the schedule below for some more sensational, bookish events. I hope to see you at some of them! Click the posters below for more info on how to book.

 #showcasefest

Showcase - Second Annual Festival of Australian Children's Literature

I hope you can join in this wonderful celebration of Australian Children's literature, featuring an astonishing line-up of literary talent from Jackie French to Garth Nix and Morris Gleitzman, and our own local authors and illustrators here in Canberra.

Organised by the superlative Belle Alderman and her team, you won't be disappointed. What a delightful smorgasbord! I'll be at the feast.

Starts 1 October - see more here!

Boundless Festival wrap up with Andy Griffiths

 

The Boundless Festival of Australian Children's Literature wound up today with a spectacular author meet-and-greet with Andy Griffiths at the National Library of Australia.

Andy spent a few days in Canberra, visiting schools, lunching, dining and sharing his expertise with a range of lucky people. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to participate in one of his workshops at the ACT Writers' Centre, and you can also see the COOL Awards event here.

Today's event at the NLA was simply glorious. I would say over 300 people turned up - and to see dozens upon dozens of young kids - especially boys - clutching Andy's books and spending time leafing through the pages while they waited {most patiently!} to have their book signed, was so very special.

I hope the following photos explain just how vital author visits like this are for young kids and the development of a love of reading. Andy is a generous, warm soul whose adoration for kids shines through - and these lucky kids were simply agog at the chance to meet him {+ some adults, too!}.

A huge congratulations to Belle Alderman and her team for this year's inaugural Boundless Festival. If you didn't get to this time, I hope you'll have a chance to indulge in this glorious event next year - please spread the word.

Happy reading - and perusing!

Andy with NLA bookshop's Matt (grey tee) and Leanne Barrett, CBCA ACT President (right)

with the lovely NLA Bookshop staff

the fan pics begin...

Andy started signing 30 minutes before the event officially opened

some eager fans, queuing patiently

this was the queue 30 mins before event start-time

the queue - about 15 mins before the event was due to start

the queue - about 15 mins before the event was due to start

NLA Marketing Manager, Maureen Brooks, introduces Andy

 

Andy reading The Naked Boy and the Crocodile, in support of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation