Introducing A New York Year and A Texas Year!

Yeeha - advance copies have arrived!

Tina and I have gone stateside with the latest in our A Kids' Year series for EK Books ... introducing Texas and New York!

We had a blast working on these titles and it was fascinating learning more about the incredible and varied cultures and traditions in both states. We hope our adorable characters warm the hearts of people everywhere, no matter where you live.

Order your advance copies right here - A New York Year, A Texas Year. And you can see all A Kids' Year in the series so far (Australia, England, Scotland) right here.

Out August!

I'm in a new york state of mind - part II

More luscious dreaming and reminiscing . . . you can see Part I here.

I'm in a new york state of mind - part I

I'm reminiscing today. Stuck inside at the onset of an icy Canberra winter, I'm thinking sunshine and open parks - and where better than New York? I visited a close friend in the Big Apple in 1997 and - as I knew I would - fell head over heels in love with that town.

I was also really fortunate to be able to scale the World Trade Centre, pre-the tragedy that was 9/11, for that breathtaking view. And can I just say that great lady with the torch is even more incredible than I dreamed she would be.

The thing about New York is that is stands alone. It seemingly belongs to every continent - everywhere you look, the multiculturalism and cultural energy bursts on through, and it was quite surreal to see something hugely surprising every single day, from being interviewed on the street for television, to watching a car burn to a cinder on Park Avenue, to having an old lady beat my legs with a stick when I wouldn't get out of her way after purchasing a sidewalk newspaper.

Ah, New York.

Enjoy {but don't laugh at my '90s jeans}.

{part II coming soon}