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…
‘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…
Picture Book author, Kim Toft, a former Prep teacher, had some 120 preps to year 2 following her every move. She uses silk painting to illustrate the preservation of our oceans and coastal habitats. Her vibrant colours reflect her subjects which are incredibly realistic. Toft performed her cautionary tale ‘One Less Fish’ in song and…
By Maria Parenti Author and engineer Andrew King encouraged his young year 1 and 2 audience to dream, draw, design and create. King said engineers liked to draw and design because they were like big kids. He encouraged students to think and imagine. To build planes, bridges, buildings, cars and playgrounds using cardboard boxes. To get…
Author and public servant with a legal background, Cori Brooke wears a cool hat for every story. She was thrilled to be shortlisted for the CBCA Children’s Book of the Year awards in the Early Childhood category. ‘All I Want for Christmas is Rain’ was popular with the little-ones who guessed right. Brooke was to wear……
When Brisbane author Yvonne Mes introduced herself, she had some 100 year 3, 4 and 5 students putting their hands up wanting the glamorous life of a Picture Book author — on the red carpet with Justin Timberlake, a three storey mansion with giant playground, red Ferrari and private jet. One student was so convinced,…
Jack Heath, best selling author of 500 Minutes of Danger. He held his audience captive, until his final word was met with an uproarious applause. When Heath asked who had read his books, he received a resounding thumbs up. He acknowledged his readers and launched into inspiring our future writers. ‘Each story takes about 100…
I had been sitting on my verandah, quietly enjoying a cuppa, while dabbling in my writings. Out of the silence, came a loud rustling sound. I looked over at our timber bridge. Then I glanced towards the rainforest and beyond the creek. I noted: no movement, no stirrings, not even the breeze was about. I…
I started this post to start writing. What to write about has taken some two months in the thinking. This was after some teacher friends introduced me to the world of podcasts over a cuppa. Although hesitant at first, the thought of learning this alien technology felt like too much of ‘a brain strain’. But…
Big Sister Blogs - Maria Parenti 