Jumping Puddles and Booktown events

HELEN AND I HEADLINERS AT JUMPING PUDDLES CHILDREN'S LITERATURE FESTIVAL

                                                                                                                             

 

Here's Helen bringing out the inner artist in children of the Corangamite Shire at the Jumping Puddles two day event at Noorat - the birthplace of Alan Marshall.  I hope this brings back memories of his book "I Can Jump Puddles," I read it as a child and again before heading to the area.  Using the title as a prompt for rhymes it was a simple step for over 600 students to compose rhymes, perform and rap them in front of fellow students and even skip rope while rhyming - who says children can't multi-task?

 

 

The following weekend my excellent roadie Brian, and l were at Clunes for the Book-town weekend as guest author for We're All About Books in Fraser Street Clunes.  The above photo was taken near my book signing table - the theme for children at the library was Alice In Wonderland - and the Mad Hatter proved to be a terrific minstrel and pied piper of his Deck of Cards.

To the excitement of Pamela we sold 100 of our books at her shop.  We have an invitation to again do book-signings next year.  Thankyou Pamela - happy to accept.

 

Clunes is the town my Dutch grandparents settled in after migrating in the 1950's from Holland.  It was a great town to introduce their family to Australian ways.  As a result my uncles and aunts are more Aussie than the average local.  Going back to the town was quite nostalgic for me and flushed out locals who knew my family well and were happy to pass on stories.  I enjoyed holidays in Clunes with my grandparents and will be writing a short story about visiting Clunes for my latest book.

 

MEET RUBY ROSE MY LITTLEST READER!

Shelly and Roly Parsons from Karratha have just had a new addition to their family and have been reading to Ruby Rose every night.  She can't wait to listen to "The Big Green Tractor."  Shelly, a very talented and enthusiastic lady is almost mid way through a degree and is a talented illustrator. 

 

NEWS FLASH!

On May 24th I raced up to Batemans Bay to collect an award in the PerfEx Literary Awards 2013.

This year their subject was "Memoirs" -- quite a challenge for me, though l have been busy writing short stories for a book to be released next year.  With encouragement from Felicity at Hooked on Books in Batemans Bay l started writing my entry while signing "Emily Emu Chick" last year.

 

While in Victoria launching "The Big Green Tractor," an email informed me l had been shortlisted for an award.  There had been 77 entries from all along the South Coast.  Many were historians so the quality of entries was extremely high.  When we returned home a phone call from the organisers suggested l bring a cheer squad to the awards ceremony.

 

To my excitement l had taken out third prize with my entry "Gift of a Girl," a story about my mother. Lucky me - l came home with an award certificate and a huge box of newly released books from Hooked on Books and Harper Collins. Great reading material for winter!  The judge of the final round was a senior fiction editor from Harper Collins.  Her comments have given me great encouragement for my adult short story writing.

 

 

The photo above was taken at the ceremony with Master of Ceremonies Ian Campbell from ABC Bega.  It is the first time Ian has seen me lost for words.

 

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Look out Northern N.S.W we are heading your way!  After a day at Bemboka Primary on Monday the 17th we will be travelling on to stock up stores with The Big Green Tractor.  For those who love to come to book signings, l will be at The Book Connection in Dubbo on Friday 21st of June from 10.30 - 1pm. 

The day before l will be reading and telling stories to the children at Little Learners Pre-School.  I sent on colouring sheets relating to each book to give them some art work to start on and Sheryl tells me they are reading my stories to the children already.

 

This time we are again extending Little Ant territory by poking our toes into Queensland. 

 

ABC OPEN BLOGS

For all my readers of ABC OPEN blogs - I am again sending in a "blog a month" - my latest is about a trip to Norfolk Island.  Vanessa at ABC OPEN Bega keeps me on the go with plenty of encouragement.  Thanks to her advice and my excellent editor Robbie of Wonboyn Lake, my writing has tightened up - the above award is certainly testimony to their help.  Anyone who longs to be published needs to get into the ABC OPEN blogs as great writing exercises and a great way to build a following and writing reputation.  I will be publishing the blogs in my short stories book.