some lovely bits as winter creeps in

Hello, hello - I hope you're having a gorgeous start to the winter season. Above is a Canada goose flying to Texas for the winter, and as ANZAC Day has come and gone, Canberra has (as it always does) plummeted headlong into beanie weather. If I had wings, though, I wouldn't be heading to warmer climes, no no. Could not be happier. I even bought new boots last week. Beanies, gloves, boots, scarves, tights is where I'm at. Bring it on!

Yes, it's definitely snuggle weather, and that couldn't be more appropriate because all I seem to be doing of late is snuggling up to my Mac, my laptop, my drawing board . . . and barely looking up. I'm right in the thick of a LOT and feel quite out of touch with the world, so wanted to say hi, share a bit of news, and give you some peeks before I go back into creative hibernation.

Hip Hip Hooray! launch birthday party

 

Hip Hip Hooray! Happy birthday to our beloved book--Hip Hip Hooray!--with Windy Hollow, which has just this week launched into the world, featuring amazing illustrations by Jess Racklyeft, and the coolest, coolest augmented reality feature!

We launched at the STUNNING new Harry Hartog store at the ANU--mega thanks to friend and The Best Bookseller in the Universe Ever Jimmy Redden, the gorgeous Katarina Pearson and the fab HH team for hosting. It was such a hoot and was the most beautiful, perfect venue.

Huge thanks, too, to everyone who came along to celebrate, and especially to the amazing Nicole Godwin for these brilliant photos, and to my girl Ella and her beau Josh for wrangling the kiddles into pass-the-parcel. Truly, these kids are amazing book-loving dynamos and I simply adore chatting with them; they always make me laugh.

Also, a humble thank you to Julie Long and Lisa Fairlamb for the unexpected and heartfelt gifts--they are just divine and I will treasure them and your words; thank you.

Here is a peek at the shenanigans... and please, if there is a photo of your child here you do not want public, please email me here and I'll remove it, pronto.

So . . . we took a peek at the book's AR pages (videos below) and we overcame a tech hiccup to do so (no wifi on my iPad, doh!) and then we lit a cupcake and sang happy birthday with the help of ACTUAL birthday girl, Cate Whittle, and of course all the kids blew the candle out from where they were sitting, too. On the last page, everyone blew their party blowers--oh, it was festive!

Then the kids played pass-the-parcel and I signed books and got lots of cuddles and laughs and then we ate cake, yes we did, and coloured in (chameleons! thanks, Jess!) and gobbled Easter eggs and the kids nabbed party bags and we all sashayed around in our book-matching party hats.

It really was the loveliest time. Thank you again, everyone--and Harry Hartog--sorry about the crumbs! Jess and Cristina, you were missed.

Tx

Goodbye, summer--hello deadlines

Well, hello, creative people. It's been a wee while since I last wrote. Have been under a bit of a mountain and that will continue for some time, but it's all good! From under the mountain, lots of lovely things have been going on, including the onset of Autumn. Sigh. So happy.

This morning I burrowed into the oversized basket in our spare room, perennially crammed with knits--scarves, beanies, gloves. And I wore a beanie for the first time this year, on our walk around the lake (and no, I'm not being a sook, it was 4 degrees in Canberra this morning!). I sure was cold but this walk warms my heart. I love it so. Every Sunday we do it, my hubster and me. Well, he runs.

So, I'm aware it's not spring, but above you will see a forest of daisies--aren't they superb? They're hiding a little darling who is taking up a lot of my time--Evie. She is a daisy-loving girl and I'm in love with her. I was talking to Cate Whittle recently, for The Happy Book podcast, and she was saying that if you want to write a junior fiction series, you need to fall in love with your characters, and that's just what I've done. I can't wait for you to meet Evie. The books will be out next year.

hip hip hooray something special

Launching 1 April, Hip Hip Hooray is going to have a very special extra something that kids will love--the pages come to life! Make sure you turn up the sound. #hiphiphooray

upcoming book launches

Books always tend to come at once.
I'm delighted to be launching two books this April. 

If you're in Canberra, would love to see you there! 

 RSVP essential: books@taniamccartney.com

More info and book a place

Hip Hip Hooray! cover reveal

Hip hip hooray, Hip Hip Hooray! is almost here! Jess Racklyeft and I just loved creating this sequel to Merry Everything! and I can't wait for you to see how these delightful animals celebrate their birthday anniversaries ... all around the world.

The book will be released on 1 April, and watch this space for a children's party event here in Canberra, to celebrate the launch.

You can pre-order your copy right here.

And while you wait, here is a sneak peek at an internal spread.

Hooray!

BOOK BLURB

The big day is almost here. The invitations are sent, the presents made pretty... there's some fun to prepare!

Peek inside the homes of these adorable animals as they celebrate charming birthday traditions - from party hats and pinatas to blowing out the candles... and making a wish. Hip hip hooray!

This picture book, by an award-winning duo, features echidnas in Australia, goats in Canada, sloths in Costa Rica, narwhals in the nippy Barents sea, orangutans in the depths of Borneo, and an entire menagerie of creatures from around the world-sending invitations, wrapping presents, playing party games and of course, prepping the birthday cake for the ultimate annual wish.

Starting on birthday eve and ending as the party hits full swing, this vibrant romp will delight little ones as their very special day comes around... and highlights the importance of family, friends and the heart-warming traditions of childhood.