My Etsy Shop is back!

  

After a long hiatus, my Etsy shop is up and running again. Items are now at a lower price and it's free shipping anywhere in Australia. You can contact me if you want something posted overseas.

I have some brand new Mamie giclée prints for sale - on the most beautiful cotton rag watercolour paper. The colours are superb, saturated and super bright. I will be offering some Mamie greeting cards in the coming weeks.

AND I have stunning giclée prints from my upcoming book, Plume: World Explorer, ahead of its release in October (November in North America). I have Plume cards for sale in my shop, too.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE A LITTLE DELAY ON THESE GICLÉE PRINTS AS I'M STILL WAITING FOR THEM TO ARRIVE FROM THE PRINTER.

 

On top of A4 prints, I'm offering the option to purchase A3 for the first time. Again, postage is free, but this will be print-on-demand, and will take up to 2 weeks from purchase to posting.

I do have some très vintage Riley the Little Aviator books for sale - mostly Curious Koala (Sydney), Dancing Lion (Hong Kong) and Grumpy Wombat (Melbourne), with a small handful of Sleeping Dragon (Beijing). Jumpy Kangaroo (Canberra) sold out long ago but you can buy one on Booktopia. 

I may add a small stash of books for sale here and there. I don't have a lot of stock, but you may see one pop up occasionally. Yes, I can absolutely sign them for you, just let me know at purchase.

Lastly, I'm offering some original artworks in my shop now, and I'll add more as time goes on. I'm currently offering older art but I do have line drawings from my Evie and Pog junior fiction series. These are extremely rare, as I reverted to fully digital, part way through book 1 - Evie and Pog: Take Off! So, snaffle one while you can!

uplift among the chaos - a mammoth June 2020 update

Hey ho, everyone. Grab a cuppa. This is long.

Checking in after a long blog hiatus, where the only real option has been to find centre, breathe and invite a deep sense of calm in the chaos.

The world has shaken us to our core of late, non? It seems we're experiencing a bizarre state of grief, shock, confusion, rage and despair. It's raining realisation and revolution; much of it long, long, long overdue, and absolutely, completely a flood of Everything. Our planet and our people are saying Enough.

And seriously, are we STILL dealing with racism and inequality - we have come so far as a species; why do we never learn?? I'm both gut-wrenched and hopeful with the way of the world right now. Have always believed old orders have to be torn down to invite in the new - and hopefully a more insightful, compassionate and equitable way of life.

I hope you're doing okay and are keeping safe, well and centred. Are you finding ways to seek calm and comfort? It's so important. Yes, we need to fight, but we also need to keep one glove up so we don't take a fall and are rendered useless. We are no good in a useless state. That's when the vultures swoop.

I'm hoping this post brings you some comfort and any kind of uplift. It will be kind of random - a little bit of news, some sharing, some happenings, some links and bits and bobs you might find warm. It's cold here in Canberra, of course, so I'm all for a little warmth right now (am sitting on my lovely sheepskin throw as I type!).

Before I get to some updates and news, some inspiration! Let's start with some pretty pictures on Instagram - some new illustrator finds I adore. Click the image to go to each account.

Evie and Pog paper dolls!

Evie and Pog paper dolls are go! In celebration of the release of Book 3, Party Perfect, here is a treat for you - Evie and Pog playing dress-ups - and you'll find all of these costumes in the first three books!

Just print out, cut out and get busy. I may even add some more costumes these coming months. If you'd like to print out a PDF of the paper dolls, just click here.

Have fun!

Evie and Pog Mega Giveaway WINNER!

Emmeline, 7

Huge congrats to Emmeline, age 7, for your winning entry in the Evie and Pog Mega Giveaway! Emmeline, you have won a signed book and a whole stack of goodies - congratulations!

Emmeline's picture was chosen because I love the movement she's captured here, with the breezy sky and the kite and bird. I also love the daisy-spot grass and her fabulous rendition of Evie and Pog!

I have to say that the entries for this comp were absolutely amazing, with kids as young as 5 entering. You all made it VERY difficult to choose a winner - I simply adore each and every image sent in. You are all so talented.

Below is my shortlist - if your image is on it, you were VERY close to the number one position, so huge congrats to you, too. If your image is here, email me at booksATtaniamccartney.com and I'll email you a little treat!

And right at the end is a super fun photo of a tree house made by Lila, inspired by Evie and Pog.

Thanks, again, everyone - I hope you love reading Evie and Pog Party Perfect.

a MEGA giveaway!

To celebrate the release of Evie and Pog Party Perfect (book 3), I’m having a mega giveaway!

Head to my Instragram to see a video of all this gorgeous content - a signed book, an original artwork from the books, sausage dog sticky notes, activity sheets, scented pencils, doggy paw stickers, daisy cupcake wrappers, a mini canvas, daisy-spot grass seeds, a Kikki-K pencil necklace and cutouts - and all of these things are what Evie and Pog love to do - read, paint, bake, party, create and roll on the daisy-spot grass!

To enter, all you have to do is draw a picture of Evie and Pog! Make it as colourful and creative as you like. You might also like to draw the tree house. See below for pics from the books - this can be your inspiration.

Add your first name and age to the image and then email it to me here OR tag me to the image on Instagram - @taniamccartney.

Comp ends this Sunday 26 April at 5pm and is open to kids aged 10 and under. Anyone can enter, though the parcel can only be sent to an Australian address. I will choose, tag and message the winner, who will have 48 hours to respond before I choose someone else, so check back Sunday!

Please note the crochet dolls and rug are not included. 

Good luck, everyone! 

Click here for more on Evie and Pog or buy a copy right here.

More puzzles! Evie and Pog

Evie and Pog covers puzzle - or click here to do 

the enlarged version online.

Some more puzzles for you, puzzle fiends! Here are the first three covers for Evie and Pog, and a special tree house scene that has not been included in any of the books! Click here to see the series.
 

  Evie and Pog covers puzzle - or click here to do  the enlarged version online.  

#StayHomeForLove resources for adults and kids

Hi, everyone!

I so hope you're doing well, adopting #StayHomeForLove wherever you can, and juggling life in this new surreal reality.

I have been busy recording and uploading a bunch of videos to my YouTube channel - most of them expressly for kids, with a 'kid' rating. They include story readings and peeks at my books and the creative processes and production involved. I've got lots more content coming soon, including illustration techniques and inspo.

I'm hoping these videos prove a valuable resource for teachers, librarians, parents and carers... and of course, kids! We may be facing some challenges right now, but please remember that books bring such comfort for kids ... and adult ... and although we're all stuck in place right now, we can always travel the world in a book.

Click the poster above to head to my channel. More...

Signed copies and goodie bags at Harry Hartog Woden

Hello, everyone. The world is in a strange place right now. After our devastating bushfires, it seems particularly cruel to be book-ended with another crisis; this time global.

Cate Whittle, Stephanie Owen Reeder and I were crushed to cancel our Launch in 3 Acts yesterday at Harry Hartog Bookseller. We chose to do this to help prevent the awful and potentially steep gait of that Coronavirus curve, and we're glad we did, as things have escalated even overnight.

We have, all three of us, popped in to Harry Hartog at Westfield Woden here in Canberra, to sign a stack of books and to drop off the goodie bags that were destined for our launch. If you get get in store this week, or even phone the store to see if they can post items, you can score signed copies of the books listed below. And be sure to ask for a goodie bag at the front counter--there are quite a few but they will probably go quickly.

If schools face closure these coming weeks, keep an eye on my blog as I will have some treats in store to help out teachers and parents. Also check out my Instagram page later today as I'm offering the decorations from my Evie and Pog window, which I just took down from Harry Hartog today. I can post anywhere in Australia and I'll throw in some dog paw stickers and activity sheets, too.

As we lock down to prevent that awful steep viral curve, I hope you and the kids find comfort in reading. Remember, this is so very much about community and for me, there could be nothing more comforting than staying home and curling up with a book.

Stay safe and well, all. Sending stacks of love.

Tx

Signed books currently in store
Emergency Rescue Angel by Cate Whittle
Trouble in the Surf by Stephanie Owen Reeder
Will the Wonderkid by Stephanie Owen Reeder
Marvellous Miss May by Stephanie Owen Reeder
Amazing Grace by Stephanie Owen Reeder 
Lennie the Legend Heritage Heroes edition by Stephanie Owen Reeder
Evie and Pog: Take Off! by Tania McCartney
Evie and Pog: Puppy Playtime! by Tania McCartney
I Heart the World by Tania McCartney
Fauna: Australia's Most Curious Creatures by Tania McCartney
Ivy Bird by Tania McCartney and Jess Racklyeft
An Aussie Year by Tania McCartney and Tina Snerling
See Hear by Tania McCartney and Jess Racklyeft
Smile Cry by Tania McCartney and Jess Racklyeft

Evie and Pog window at Harry Hartog Woden

Huge thanks to Kate and the team at Harry Hartog Bookseller for this fab opportunity to introduce Evie and Pog to Canberrans - such a gorgeous space and I'm ever grateful.

Window will be in place until just after my combined book launch with Stephanie Owen Reeder and Cate Whittle on 15 March at 10.30am.

More pics below. Hope you get a chance to see the window, and see you at the launch - more details right here.

books, smoke, fire, heartbreak, hope - hello, 2020

a chirpy cockatoo on my walk this morning

Well, the year has started with a firestorm. Literally. The loss has already been incalculable, and there's more to come. Australians are drenched with grief and distress at the lives lost, the animals lost (current estimate is at 1 billion), ecosystems lost, houses and other structures lost, including heritage buildings. It's been too much to bear for so many.

COVER REVEAL! Evie and Pog

 

I'm over the moon to reveal the covers for the first two books in my spanking new junior fiction series, Evie and Pog. One is a girl and one is a dog. And everyone knows them as Evie and Pog.

Hitting the shelves February 2020, I can't wait for you to meet my darling Evie and her BFF Pog the Pug - two very best friends who live in a mid-century modern tree house in Granny's garden, high above the daisy-spot grass. I don't think I've ever loved two characters more. They certainly thrive on quirk! and I couldn't be happier.

Evie is six years old. She likes knitting and jumping and books and cake. Pog is a pug. He is two and likes to drink tea and read the newspaper. Granny loves books and cake, too, but she doesn't like noise and she doesn't like mess. She likes neat and quiet.

I have so loved bringing this series to life, thanks to my wonderful publisher Lisa Berryman, and editor Eve Tonelli and the glorious HarperCollins team. I've fallen head over heels in love with these characters and their Village friends and I hope you do, too.

Book 1, Take Off! features three stories ideal for kids aged 5 - 8 - Puppy School Mess, School Play Drama and Cake Stall Chaos.

Book 1, Puppy Playtime! features another three stories - Reno Rumble, Classroom Contraption and Puppy Park.

Click on the covers for more info, and PRE-ORDERS are open now with Booktopia - click here for Take Off! and here for Puppy Playtime! Book 3 will be out May 2020.

Stay tuned for more peeks as we get closer to pub date! #evieandpog

Hello, almost Spring! book production, events, Book Week, book gobbling, costumes, illustration, apps, everything!

Hello, peeps. How is your winter going? Cosy? Good. Perfect book-reading weather (though which weather is not perfect for book reading?).

It's been a heads-down time of late, so I'm coming up for air before diving back in again. I'm squirrelling away on Book 2 of my junior fiction series, Evie and Pog, before diving into my next NLA book with Stephanie Owen Reeder. Then it's on to Book 3 of Evie and Pog, which I hope to finish mid-January, and somewhere Christmas might be (I said might be) wedge in between!

I'm also resurfacing because this is my favourite time of year - so much happening, especially CBCA Book Week. There's a heap of glorious KidLit events happening, too. See my recent post on the opening of the Story Time Australian Children's Literature Exhibition right here.

I'm starting this post with Story Box Library. I have always loved what they do. I still remember when Nicole Brownlee started the site, and it continues to go from strength to strength. It was a joy and an honour to film with them at the National Library of Australia recently, where I recorded two story readings--one of them Mamie. (Will reveal the second one soon!)

I recently gifted a SBL subscription to my little great niece Lexi, so she can see her great aunt reading Mamie (of which she has a copy) and so she can enjoy the jam-packed line-up of story readings. I love that her mum and dad know how important books are for little ones. Anyhoo, I can't recommend SBL heartily enough--for both schools and home. What a treat to immerse in brilliant stories, read by a cornucopia of talent.

Here is my Mamie preview, below, or you can view it on the SBL site right here. We also filmed a little bonus video where I show original artwork and talk about the production process behind the book. You can see it, and my SBL Testimonial, right here.

The Helper Monkeys story in Funny Bones anthology

OUT 5 NOVEMBER 2019

I'm absolutely delighted to have a story in this superb (and funny!) anthology, edited by Kate and Jol Temple, and Oliver Phommavanh, featuring over 100 stories from children's authors, illustrators and comedians all over Australia. I mean, it's over 700 pages thick! And very, very best of all, the royalties from sales go to War Child Australia.

War Child is an international relief and development agency dedicated to providing immediate, effective and sustainable aid to children affected by war. War Child was formed in 1993 in response to conflict in the former Yugoslavia, and has since expanded its work to conflicts worldwide. War Child Australia is an all-volunteer organisation that was established in July 2002. Since that time, War Child Australia has been committed to providing aid to young victims of war all around the world.

For more about the book, click the cover above.

My story, The Helper Monkeys, has its own official Twitter account (as featured in the story). So if you, yourself, are one day interested in getting your own Helper Monkeys (I take no responsibility for what might happen if you do), you will need to follow the account, pronto.

@Helper_Monkeys

I hope you snaffle a copy or twenty of this wonderful book. Perfect stocking stuffer for Christmas! and for such a worthwhile cause.

Evie and Pog Take Off! in Books + Publishing

It was a joy to see my new junior fiction series (out Feb 2020 with Harper Collins) peeking its nose out, too. The first book in the series, Evie and Pog Take Off! was given an early review in Books + Publishing. See it on their site here.