Some of BookLinks’ members participated in the ‘Library for All’ (LFA) workshops which creates stories for children in developing countries. Stories are age appropriate and culturally diverse, and made accessible via their new ‘groundbreaking’ LFA app. LFA Senior Research Librarian, Dr Lara Cain Gray, said with 617 million children not reaching minimum proficiency levels in…
Author and screenwriter Sofie Laguna was guest speaker at the ‘Read Like A Girl’ series. Riverbend Books owner, Suzy Wilson interviewed Sofie gleaning insights into her writing process and her latest book ‘The Choke’. Over half the audience had read her book, and by the end of her author talk, all books had almost sold…
Author Samantha Wheeler said to ‘believe you can do it’ – writing for middle grade fiction. It didn’t matter how long ago you were a kid, you can re-create experiences and situations for your young readers to relate to. As an adult writing for children, you know what it was like to feel embarrassed, or…
Some 25 people cheered and celebrated Catherine Bateson’s fellowship completion with the May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust. Catherine shared her research findings with writers, friends and May Gibbs supporters. Catherine Bateson is the author of 15 books for young readers, and has twice won the CBCA Book of the Year, as well as a Queensland Premier’s…
Author James Moloney’s persistence has spearheaded him towards the launch of his 50th book ‘The Love That I Have’. He compared ‘writing a book’ to ‘climbing up a mountain’. ‘You can’t run up a mountain… you take it step-by-step.’ Also to the gasps and delight of audiences, he discussed the process behind the process —…
KidLitVic 2018 panel on children’s picture book partnerships discussed author and illustrators as being 50/50 creators of the picture book process. Without words there’d be no book. Without illustrations there’d be no book. Illustrations have the potential to sell the book beyond words. Words have the potential to inspire the illustrator beyond belief. ‘It’s like…
At KidLitVic 2018, three publishers shared their expertise and insight into the world of book series. Series were a long term investment for publisher and author. A good series (eg., the Narnia series by CS Lewis etc.,) will have readers read, follow and love the characters, their world and plot line. Michael Wagner, interviewer, lead…
What I learned from KidLitVic 2018 as a first-timer. The whole day was much more than I anticipated and made less daunting with a familiar face or three. My aim was to look, listen and learn during KidLitVic – free from the nervousness of assessments. Prior to the big day was the logistics of negotiating…
‘What I Wish for Every Child’ by Authors and Illustrators who presented at the Celebrate Reading National Conference, The Literature Centre, Fremantle, WA. Before presenters shared their ‘Wish List’, Australian Children’s Laureate, 2016 to 2017, Leigh Hobbs read a letter from Glenda Millard. She wished all, ‘a wonderful time drenched… in the solace… and joy’…
Jeannie Baker’s ‘Circle’ Exhibition had guests in awe of the detailed 3D close-up canvases of her latest book – ‘Circle’. Numerous literary, art and science enthusiasts were fascinated with the large, original artworks. Curator Dale Arvidsson, of the Botanical Gardens, Mt Coot-tha launched the ‘Circle’ Exhibition at Richard Randall Art Studio, Mt Coot-tha. ‘Circle’ was inspired by the…
Picture Book Author & Illustrator, Peter Carnavas gave us permission to daydream through our writing room window. A window as a portal to outside — to anywhere. And as you daydream, look, see, observe… the detail. Next, what can’t you see… behind that leaf, under that sill, in the mailbox? Daydreaming relaxes the mind, calms and frees…
‘What is your dream?’ Author Brian Falkner asked a room full of year 5 students. Marine biologist, Hollywood actress, lawyer and a room full of nasty criminals made the list. Falkner had to confess to the marine biologist he didn’t really eat dolphins. Relief spread across her face as if she’d sipped warm milk. Dreams…
Big Sister Blogs - Maria Parenti 