BUNYIP MAYHEM TOUR - AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2015

Wow! This is the latest release now with the printer and due to be out in September.
The story set in rural Victoria near Ararat features young Billy who is a student at a little country school.  He discovers more than he could possibly dream of when researching the history of his family farm while shearing is in progress.
Into the mix comes Levi, an urban aboriginal boy with attitude. With the help of his grandfather and Billy Levi learns how to fit into a country school. 
This story has been flagged as a "reconciliation classic" by Koori educator Sue Barclay of the Palawa people.
This chapter book for advanced readers will really get you thinking about whether bunyips did exist.
Helen Leach has again performed her artistic magic bringing the characters to life with her black and white drawings.
The book also touches on the early settlement of the area in the 1830s and brings the past firmly into the present through the links of the Koori people with white settlers.
WILBERFORCE THE WOMBAT
And there's more - now meet Wilberforce  - a rather short-sighted wombat with attitude!

This slap stick character was introduced to me by my Uncle Tot who managed to pitch his tent over a wombat trail when camping in the high country with my cousins.
A wombat bounced off his tent several times before Uncle Tot finally got the message and moved his tent.
So Wilberforce was born and went on to create mayhem as he made his way to a grassy paddock to enjoy a feed with his wombat mates.
Before this story headed to the printer children in country schools enjoyed hearing of his mishaps and gave Wilber the 'thumbs up' with much laughter.
This is number 3 in the "Tiny Ant" series of stories perfect for the pre-school to year one children.
Helen had quite a challenge to illustrate Wilberforce stumbling his way through the book.  Here are some gems for you to enjoy and a photo of Helen's daughter Jenny wearing the glasses Wilber was kindly given to help him out. Classic!

I leave Wonboyn Lake for Victoria on the 24th of August with my first school at Newmerella on the 25th, then Thorpdale on the 26th, a book signing at Bunyip Newsagency on the 27th and the Bunyip Primary School in the afternoon.  On Saturday the 29th I'm at Valley Books with Joan and Geoff then Verney Special School in Shepparton on September 1st, Katandra West combined with Invergordon Primaries on the 2nd then Numurkah Newsagency with Andrea on Saturday the 5th, Eaglehawk Post Office with Adina on the 9th, Red Rock Books in Horsham with Marion on the 11th, and the Gifted Wombat in Stawell with Raie on the 12th.  The books are launched at THE ARARAT VISITORS CENTRE  on Monday the 14th at 4-5pm by the wonderful Ararat Mayor Paul Hooper.  This promises to be quite an event with a mini exhibition of Helen's illustrations as well.  Come along and get your book signed and inscribed!

I will also be at Ararat Primary on the 14th, then Moyston Primary on the 15th, Trawalla on the 16th, Slades Newsagency with Chris on the 17th, Blanes Newsagency in Colac on the 18th, Cobden Newsagency on the 19th and my last event is at Kates Castle in Maryborough for a children's activity day from 11am - 3pm.  Along the way l will stock up all my stores and catch up with plenty of Little Ant fans - many are waiting for this chapter book and wondering what next year will bring.

 

Watch this space for some special pictures taken while on tour!

 

 

On the road again!

 

These beautiful well behaved dogs waited patiently while their owner had some books signed - and there is the Little Ant van full of books on the road again!
You will see us in NSW and QLD in the next three weeks as we stock up the stores with books for winter reading.
Bogan Gate Public School again signed me up for a two day session and boy do l have a program for them!
We will be exploring a few as yet unpublished books as well as the latest stories just launched a month ago.  I always read the new stories to students for their comments and advice before going to print - it is an insightful and often enlightening process. 
This time around l have prepared a mural for them to work on - Helen will be amazed at my audacity - we are looking at the bush in a new way following animal tracks, picking up feathers and checking out nests.  Principal Rosemary Earl has her students studying the egg to chicken process so l took it a yard or so further with Emily Emu Chick and how to find animals and birds in the bush by looking at tracks and traces.
And if you're wondering about the mural - well The Bunyip in Fiery Creek is due out in September so we're looking at aboriginal legends and then taking that to a major art work.
Narromine Public School will be my next stop and the special needs students will be working on a special project about everything Narromine - think Glen McGrath, think gliding, think citrus fruit and flowers  - oh and Melissa Gainsford-Taylor as well.  
St Josephs Primary in Maitland will have a story telling session on behalf of McDonalds books run by the gentlemanly John who looks after all the schools in his area.
We are also touching our toe into Queensland and signing books at The Book Tree in Toowoomba at 12 noon through to 1pm on Tuesday June 16th, where Anne has set up a very special and rather exclusive book shop.
While we travel up the centre of NSW then down the coast we will be stocking up our stores with new books and adding some new outlets to our list.  If we have missed you just give us a call on 0466 284 096.
Helen is hard at it working on Wilberforce the Wombat - a new first reader about a bumbling short sighted wombat to be released with The Bunyip in Fiery Creek - a chapter book for more advanced readers in September.   Here are some of her delightful illustrations to wet your appetite.
See you on the road!

 

 

 
 
Two new "Tiny Ant" books - Snug Cove Sam and Bob the Bakery Cat are now ready for release.
I pick them up from Shepparton Printing Service on the 2nd of March then they will be in the Victorian outlets from the 3rd onwards.
Some schools again booked a day of writing, illustration and story performance - Noorat and Strathmerton Primary Schools.
You can catch up with me at book signings right through March - the first at Valley Books in Shepparton on Saturday the 7th  - then Gifted Wombat in Stawell on Saturday the 14th, Blanes Newsagency in Colac during the afternoon on Friday 20th and Malacoota Newsagency on Saturday the 28th.  Come along and have a personal inscription for your friends and family in my books.

The launch for these two little first readers is at the Eden Killer Whale Museum on Saturday April the 11th - during the school holidays with a full day of fun for families.  We have a cupcake competition for all ages with cake stalls in the morning to honour Bob the hungry Bakery Cat then lots of colouring sheets for the kids to enjoy, readings of the books and some theatre with the kids acting out stories.  Come along and buy some baked goods as proceeds will go to Look Good Feel Better - a local cancer charity.

ABC open has been busy with my blogs and has also published some of my photography.  Just google ABC Open Susie Sarah and read lots of Wonboyn stories and some written for their topics as well.

If you're wondering how the Bunyip in Fiery Creek is faring, it will be in the shops in September giving me a chapter book for older and more advanced readers. I will also have another collection of short stories - All Creatures Short and Tall - out as well.  This one features our cats, dogs, horses and even some chooks.  A must for animal lovers.

I turn 60 this year - much to my amazement and have decided that four books this year will pretty well be a first for me - I have also had some of my poetry published in a collection of Eden poets.  That one will be out next month as well.  This photo with my mate a wild King Parrot has been wowing the locals in Eden - Check out "Soundings" the newsletter on the Eden Killer Whale Museum for info on Australia's Biggest Beanie.  We plan to knit this monster beanie and place it on the lighthouse.  I have been busy writing articles and writing and editing the newsletter.
I hope to see you while out and about with these two new editions - oh and by the way Emily Emu Chick is being reprinted as well so book sales are going strong!