Plume: Christmas Elf Launch

Today we launched Plume: Christmas Elf, hosted by the glorious Peter, Hannah and the team @ The Book Cow - Kingston!

 
We had a beautiful spot in leafy Green Square, with stacks of candy canes, goodie bags and the cutest mylar balloons (which were a huge hit!).

 
Thank you thank you to everyone who came along and braved that truly melting humidity this morning. I was terrified the book pages would curl in protest, but it was such a magical, fun time, with lots of laughter and candy-cane-sweet moments.

Thanks to my beautiful industry friends for the love and support - some gals I haven't seen in years! Indeed, this is the first launch I've had in 5 or 6 years. Has been a long time between page-flips and it meant so much to have you there.

Thank you to my beautiful girl Ella for the pics.

Wishing you a truly sensational Christmas season, and a well-deserved summer break (particularly teachers and TLs!). With love from me and Plume.

Click below for more...

Plume: Christmas Elf Christmas Party Book Launch!

Ok - we have a revised launch date for Plume Christmas Elf! The party will be held at The Book Cow, Kingston on Saturday 9 December at 10.30am.

There will be a book reading and signing, mylar balloons and goodie bags, a polaroid frame to have your pic taken with Plume, goodie bags, a lucky door prize with some items featured in the book - and the chance to cuddle Plume!

Come dressed in your best Christmas sparkle! A wonderful way to celebrate the upcoming festive season.

Be sure to RSVP - click right here or email helloATbookcow.com.au and let them know how many kids will be attending.

Plume and I can't wait to see you!

Plume Bookplates! Free download

Plume is bringing back the bookplate! He’s made one for Festival Seeker, but also Global Nibbler and World Explorer!

If you’d like a free pdf download of each one, just click the Festival Seeker image above.

Happy Pluming!

Plume Festival Seeker Colouring Pages!

Hey, kids - do you love to colour in? I know I do! In celebration of the release of Plume: Festival Seeker, I've put together this ultra cute batch of colouring pages for you to enjoy.

Just click the book cover below and you can download a PDF to print out.

You can also see a little video of Plume dancing right here!

Have fun! And don't forget to check out Festival Seeker right here - or see it instore at any of the fabulous bookstores around Australia and New Zealand. For those of you in the UK - the book is out 13 October and 8 November in the USA and Canada.

 

Happy book birthday, Plume Festival Seeker!

 

Happy book birthday, Plume: Festival Seeker!

Join our intrepid little voyager in his latest adventurous romp—this time enjoying the myriad spectacular festivals around the world!

A riot of colour and light and joy, experience Holi in India, Up Helly Aa in Scotland and Carnival in Rio, among many other exciting celebrations.

Festival Seeker releases today in Australia/New Zealand - 13 October in the UK and 8 November in the US/Canada. Available in stores and online.

See more right here!

Plume: Festival Seeker in the Geelong Advertiser

COVER REVEAL - Plume: Festival Seeker!

 

Cover reveal—Plume: Festival Seeker!

 

The third title in the series, and with its holographic rainbow cover, Festival Seeker celebrates - what else? - 'celebrations' themselves!

 

Throughout the year, the world is plump with astonishing festivals and Plume loves them all. Journey alongside this adventurous, color-loving penguin as he jumps aboard the Albatross Express to take part in a range of enchanting events across the globe.

 

Stare in wonder at the Up Helly Aa fire festival in Scotland and the freaky Day of Masquerade in Costa Rica. Get messy at the squelchy Boryeong Mud Festival in South Korea or La Tomatina tomato battle in Spain.

 

Throw a rainbow of color during Holi in India or enjoy a celebration of gifts, sweets and kindness at Eid al-Fitr in Algeria.

 

A year of wonder and excitement culminates in Plume's favorite festival of them all - Christmas. Will his penguin friends join him for the celebrations?

 

Out 5 October in Au/NZ, 13 October UK, 8 November USA/Can.

 

Stay tuned for some festival fun in the lead-up to pub date. And don’t forget you can make every author’s dreams come true and pre-order the book instore or online. 

 

I can’t wait to share this celebratory book with you!

WIN! An art supply pack with Plume: Global Nibbler

 

COMPETITION IS CLOSED

Life in Antarctica can sometimes feel a little black and white - just ask Plume, our favourite globetrotting penguin. Travelling around the world on the Albatross Express, Plume is ever on the hunt for exciting new experiences, grand adventures and stacks of colour!⁠
⁠
This school holidays, to celebrate Plume's latest travels in Plume: Global Nibbler, we're running a colouring competition for little adventurers! Add a splash of colour and flavour to Plume's tasty food adventures and you could win an arts supply pack valued at $100. ⁠
⁠
Click here to download the colouring sheets and find out how to participate!⁠

 

Happy Book Birthday, Plume: Global Nibbler!

And we have lift-off!

Plume: Global Nibbler publishes today with Hardie Grant Explore - taking off to a bookstore near you, and if the store is too far away, it's also online!

Join Plume as he boards the Albatross Express and takes off in search of some of the finest cuisine from around the world. There's sushi and kebabs and pad thai, and of course, pizza! Can Plume tempt the tastebuds of his Fussy Eater penguin friends with this gastronomic tour de force?

A wonderful way to introduce children to the wonders of our world, this second book in the Plume series highlights new sights and sounds, but also flavours - and is an entrancing way to help little ones explore life-enriching diversity.

Ava is prepped for take-off - I wonder which dish will be her favourite?

If you live in Canberra, I'll be at Harry Hartog Bookstore in Woden Plaza on Saturday 28 May, installing a fab Plume window. Do pop by and have a look! There'll also be signed books for sale.

See more about the book right here. For those in the UK, publication date is 26 May, and in North America, publication date is 7 June.

 

 

 

 

 

Plume Article on Paperbark Words

 

So much fun to visit the amazing Paperbark Words blog with this piece on Plume and my inspiration and joy behind the Plume series. I also talk about children's picture books and why they - and travel - are so vital; how they form adult readers.

Thanks to the lovely Joy for having me.

COVER REVEAL! Plume: Global Nibbler

I’m delighted to reveal the cover for the second book in the Plume series of travel picture books for kids—Plume: Global Nibbler!
 
Yes, yes, this book is all about the delectable food to be found all over the world - from Sweden to Ethopia, I wonder if you can guess which other countries Plume visits on his quest to tempt the tastebuds of his penguin friends? Comment on my Instagram page with the country of your favourite cuisine.
 
Scroll down to see a peek, and stay tuned for some upcoming Plume fun, including a window at Harry Hartog Bookstore, Woden!

Plume: Global Nibbler
Hardie Grant Explore
Hardcover 9781741177671, $24.99
Out 18 May in Australia, 26 May in the UK, 7 June in the US and Canada.
PRE-ORDER 

#plumethepenguin on social media.

 
‘…Join the most adorable penguin world explorer on a gastronomic jaunt around the planet in Plume: Global Nibbler, the second book in Tania McCartney’s series for little ones, celebrating the cultures and diversity of the world around us! 
 


Plume loves to cook – and to eat. He loves a bit of spice and he’s on a mission to fire up the tastebuds of his fussy-eater penguin friends. With the help of his dear friend Ava (of the Albatross Express), he leaves Antarctica in search of the world’s most delicious local dishes and treats.
 


From Iranian kebabs and Swedish cinnamon pastries, to Ethiopian injera flatbread and the chewy crispiness of Italian pizza … can these delightful dishes tempt Plume’s friends away from krill in favour of a truly global smorgasbord?



This delightful picture book is perfect for introducing children (ages 4 and up) to new foods as Plume seeks out tasty dishes, tempting snacks and truly authentic local fare from countries around the world…’

Lismore Flood Recovery Auction - Plume World Explorer

There seems to be so much suffering in the world right now, and finding ways to help can be tough, especially when those in trouble live so far away. The Lismore Flood Recovery Auction initiative is a great way to help families and business who've suffered such loss in the recent floods. Huge thanks to the amazing Zanni Louise for coordinating this mega feat.

To help raise funds, I'm offering a mega Plume pack and a picture book manuscript assessment and illustration portfolio assessment. See deets below, and head here to bid.

Book + Print Pack by Tania McCartney + Manuscript/Portfolio assessments

A mega Plume bundle and assessments for creatives! Pack includes:

Limited edition, framed, giclée print which recently exhibited at the Norman Lindsay Gallery, 45cm x 58cm
2 x signed copies of Plume: World Explorer
3 x A4 giclée prints
4 x greeting cards
A world globe balloon
A collection of penguin stickers
1 x picture book manuscript assessment
1 x illustration portfolio assessment

Hitch a ride on the Albatross Express and travel the globe with Plume: World Explorer. This exciting new picture book series for little ones celebrates culture, diversity and the natural wonders of our world. For kids aged 4 to 400.

Assessments for manuscript and portfolio will be done online, and transferring these parts of the prize to friends or family is easily done. All physical items will be sent in one large pack to one address. Postage to Australia only.

Head to the Lismore Flood Recovery page to see what other amazing items creatives have up for bid.

 

Happy Christmas 2021

A long and arduous year comes to an end and simplicity and a return-to-real-life has never been more important (and in poll position on my wish list).

Plume: World Explorer - Readings' Book of the Month

Life moment - thank you, Readings! Order the book on their site right here.

 

Plume Teachers' Notes!

Mega thanks to the amazing Tye Cattanach for this incredible teachers' notes for Plume: World Explorer. Seriously, they are some of the best I've ever read. Children will be totally inspired by these fab ideas.

Teachers, librarians, homeschoolers, parents and carers - check them out by clicking the image above, then clicking on READ MORE.

PLUME Prize Pack Giveaway!

It's just one week till Plume: World Explorer hits the shelves (did you know you can pre-order, too?) and to celebrate, I have a supersonic prize pack to give away to one lucky kid!

 Here is what you could win:

• A signed copy of the book
• A giclée print of Plume diving
• 2 x Plume greeting cards
• A Plume mug 
• A penguin mylar balloon
• A pair of penguin socks
  
• A world map cushion cover
• A world globe key ring
  
• A mega pack of penguin stickers as well as one rare Plume sticker
• Some Plume postcards

All this is valued at almost $200!

To enter, all you have to do is head to my Instagram page and follow the instructions there. I'll draw a winner this Saturday 23 October at 5pm, and will message the winner via Instagram message.

Please note that this parcel can only be sent to an Australian address. And if you miss out, you can also enter to win a copy of the book via Kids' Book Review, which starts 23 October.

Did you know you can also order a signed copy of Plume via The Book Cow? Just head here for more info - orders close Friday 5 November.

Get set to travel the world with Plume.

GOOD LUCK!

 

Plume World Explorer - VIRTUAL SIGNING!

 

Just 10 days till Plume: World Explorer hits the shelves! 

Thanks to a certain pandemic that shall remain nameless, there'll be no bookstore event to launch Plume, but the wonderful people at The Book Cow in Kingston are hosting a virtual signing! 

All you need do is order a book via this link and leave a note on who you'd like the book signed to - all by Friday 5 November. 

I'll then pop into the store, sign the books, and the Book Cow team will either prep your book/s for collection, or post them anywhere in Australia.

Click the poster above to be transported to the page. Plume can't wait to meet you!

Plume doll unboxing!

I have the most talented friends, and illustrator Suzy Houghton blew my socks off recently when she revealed how adept she is at crochet - and all without a pattern in sight!! I am overjoyed to introduce the Plume doll she made recently - isn't he just the most scrumptious thing??

During a school zoom visit recently, a girl asked me what I would say to one of my characters if I met them in real life. It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever been asked and I had tears in my eyes when I replied. I just said 'it's so wonderful to meet you'.

And how wonderful it was to meet Plume today. Thank you, Suzy, my immensely talented friend. I adore him.

I'm preparing Plume for a photoshoot - I need to embroider his outfits first, but will post the photos when I'm done. He's just the most scrumptious little character and I hope he captures your heart.

Plume: World Explorer is the first in my new travel series for children. Published by Hardie Grant Explore, book one is out 27 October in Aus/NZ, and November in North America and the UK. Click the book cover for more info, and to pre-order.

 

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!