May Gibbs' Legacy at the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature

I loved visiting National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature Inc. recently and writing up this blog post on the legacy of May Gibbs at the Centre. Click here to read the entire piece.

Story Time Australian Children's Literature Exhibition opening event

That's me there, above, barely able to contain myself. Can you see I'm ready to burst? Because I was peeping like a chick while this photo was being taken. I'm about to walk into Wonderland. And I'm about to fall in love all over again with children's books, if that's at all possible. I'm not even sure it is, but perhaps it's true that love can ceaselessly expand.

The Story Time: Australian Children's Literature Exhibition opening was held at the National Library of Australia last night, and what a breathtaking event. The exhibition is so exquisite and so comprehensive, it's hard to give a full outline, so here is a peek at the event and the treasures held in the exhibit. Needless to say, from the very first children's book printed in Australia (A Mother's Offering to Her Children) to  Chinese versions of the 13-Storey Treehouse, this is pure children's literature heaven.

Created in partnership by the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature and the National Library, and curated by Grace Blakeley-Carroll, this is truly something you cannot miss.

Let's open the front cover!

Imagine if... exhibition of children's book artwork

How stunning is this original artwork by Bob Graham? It will be the featured piece in the upcoming Imagine If... exhibition, run by the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature this July/August. I'm already rosy pink at the thought of this priceless peek into the work of our divine Australian book creators.

Bob's image, above, will be raffled to raise funds for the framing of NCACL artwork for future exhibitions. Could you imagine owning it? Gasp.

Running from Monday 10 July to Wednesday 30 August at the University of Canberra, don't miss this glorious opp to immerse yourself in picture book illustration glory. Details on the exhibition, its location at UC and the raffle, can be found here.Yes, you can buy raffle tickets even if you don't live in Canberra, so hop to it and good luck (gasp!).

Bob Graham (image credit: Carolyn Graham)

An Evening with May Gibbs - pure bliss

Belle Alderman, Jane Brummitt, me

There was a full house at ALIA House last night for An Evening with May Gibbs organised by the amazing Belle Alderman of the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature. Who could resist sitting in on the unveiling of a divine original May Gibbs artwork, gifted to the Centre by Jane Brummitt?

Jane, May aficionado (and related by marriage), Nutcote saviour and impassioned advocate of May's legacy, travelled from Adelaide to donate the artwork. We sat in rapt awe as she spoke of May's life and work... it never fails to astound me how much I learn from Jane each and every time she speaks, and how further I fall down the rabbit hole of admiration for May and the incredible person she was.

Margaret Hamilton and husband Max also travelled from Pinerolo in the Blue Mountains for the event. Margaret was also involved in saving Nutcote and it was so wonderful to have her in attendance.

Belle opened proceedings then Jane spoke, followed by a few words by NCACL Chair John Faulks and the grand unveiling of the artwork (covered by the beautiful May quilt I won in a raffle run by  NCACL last year, and which I donated back to NCACL! I mean, was fate at play or what?).

John Faulks

The work is from Gumnut Babies, Angus and Robertson 1916, May's first published book in Australia (along with Gumblossom Babies). It's vibrancy is what struck me the most--so bright and lucid--and clearly something that's never really captured in reproduced work. If you're ever in Canberra, you must pop into the NCACL at the University of Canberra, to view this spectacular piece. Your heart will race out of your chest.

Jane Brummitt

After the unveiling, I spoke on writing about May for younger children, the importance of writing biographical books for children about women (in a market flooded with books about men) and my passion for May's work and life.

NCACL will be publishing our talks--both mine and Jane's--in their upcoming journal, so look out for that one.

Above, leafing through my 1977 copy of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie Find Ragged Blossom.

Above, having our May-original-work moments.

Huge thanks to Leanne Barrett for the photos and to everyone who came along last night. I was so honoured to be part of this amazing event (and the brilliant long-table dinner afterwards!) and this evening was truly me a life moment for me, that I'll never forget. New friendships forged, old friends reunited, serendipitous connections galore--all, I am certain--orchestrated by that beautiful, long-gone and dreadfully missed May on high. Last night was a celebration of her life, indeed.

An Evening with May Gibbs--not to be missed

I am beyond excited to reveal this glorious one-off event--an absolute must-attend for anyone who loves children's books and the work of May Gibbs. Jane Brummitt, co-author of May Gibbs: More than a Fairytale (Hardie Grant), who is related to May by marriage and was instrumental in saving Nutcote in Sydney many moons ago, will be in Canberra to donate an ORIGINAL piece of May Gibbs artwork to the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature. Yes--original!!

Jane will also be speaking at the event, and I am honoured to be speaking alongside her. It's going to be such a memorable evening and I so hope you can make it. Details below.

May's legacy lives on, thanks to amazing people like Jane.

Still Touching Hearts: An Evening with May Gibbs 

5.30pm - 7pm

Thursday 11 May 2017

ALIA House, Deakin, Canberra

Cost: $15, $12 CBCA members

Join the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature Inc for Jane Brummitt's presentation of May Gibbs’ original preliminary artwork from Gum Blossom Babies (1915) to the Centre and talks by Jane Brummit: Gifts from May Gibbs and Tania McCartney: Mamie: a celebration of May's life for modern children.

Harry Hartog Booksellers will be selling books on the evening, including the CBCA shortlisted titles, books by May Gibbs, Tania McCartney and Jane Brummitt.

Places limited. RSVP by 9 May 2017 to ncaclevent@yahoo.com

Seeing Stories Finale Event wrap-up

Today I had the great pleasure of attending the Seeing Stories Exhibition Finale Event at the University of Canberra. Organised by the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature (NCACL) and featuring hand-picked originals by some of our finest illustration talent, including Terry Denton, Ann James, Alison Lester and Bob Graham, The Hub was alive with stunning artworks, authors, illustrators, kids and book lovers.

This exhibit is but a small slice of the precious John Barrow collection, now owned by the NCACL.

Bob Graham