Events for June and July

This June and July you’ll find me reading from my upcoming book in Fremantle, running sessions at a kids’ lit festival in Balingup, and giving a free dragon-drawing workshop in Perth.

Come by and say hi!


June 6 – Books Out Loud!

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Come and hear Fremantle Press authors Deb Fitzpatrick, Norman Jorgensen, Paula Hayes, Meg McKinlay and myself doing free live readings on WA Day. I’ll do a few sketches too.

There’ll be a bunch of other activities on during the day: a skateboarding clinic, art classes, a climbing wall, mask making and kite flying. Should be awesome!

VENUE: Fremantle Esplanade
WHEN: Monday June 6th; Books Out Loud is on from 12noon-1pm
(other WA Day activities go from 10am-4pm)
FOR: all ages
COST: free!
BOOKINGS: not required; just turn up. More info here.


July 9/10 – Telling Tales Children’s Literature Festival

Balingup

Join me and a bunch of other children’s authors & illustrators in Balingup for a weekend of talks and workshops for kids. Come for a day or for the weekend. This is one of my favourite festivals to visit because the whole community gets involved – plus Balingup has stunning scenery and great cafés!

VENUE: Balingup (3hrs drive south of Perth)
WHEN: Saturday July 9th – Sunday July 1oth
FOR: 4-14yos
COST: $6 per day per child. Children can attend up to four session per day. No charge for accompanying parents or toddlers seated on parents lap.
BOOKINGS & MORE INFO: visit the Telling Tales website.


July 15 – Making mythical monsters:
watercolour dragons workshop

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In the July holidays join me for a free workshop where you get to create, draw and paint amazing watercolor dragons.
Numbers are limited.

VENUE: City of Perth Library, 573 Hay st (NB: this is NOT the State Library)
WHEN: Friday July 15th, 10:30am-12 noon
FOR: strictly 7-10 year olds only
COST: free
BOOKINGS: email Suzanne at childrens.library@cityofperth.wa.gov.au

January school holiday events

I’m doing five talks and workshops in January. They’re all for 8yo and over. The first three sessions are FREE!

5d753e94-42c9-4f7e-9736-624a77033b86January 7th

FREE WORKSHOP: Zombie Animal Zoo

Hear how I made my latest book ‘My Dead Bunny’, and learn to design your own zombie animal.

Venue: Mandurah Library
Time: 10:30 – 11:30am
Ages: 8-12yo
Bookings essential; call the library on 9550 3650.

January 15th

FREE WORKSHOP: Zombie Animal Zoo

Hear how I made my latest book ‘My Dead Bunny’, and learn to design your own zombie animal.

Venue: Armadale Library
Time: 10 – 11am
Ages: 8-12yo
Bookings essential; book online here

 

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Just a typical Children’s Book Week session (with zombie animals)

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Last week was Children’s Book Week, my busiest week of the year. It’s the time when schools and libraries across Australia invite children’s authors and illustrators to speak to their students. For me it’s become more of a Children’s Book Month: between July 30th and September 16th this year I’m giving 93 talks and workshops to schoolkids. Each session with grade 4s and up is featuring at least one zombie animal. Here’s how a typical session looks.

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Zombie animals terrify at Telling Tales

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Last weekend I visited Balingup for their annual Telling Tales Children’s Storytelling Festival.

Balingup is a beautiful town in the South-West Region surrounded by farms, bushland and pine forest. When the sun is out the scenery is stunning – it’s all green hills and winding valleys. But on cold winter mornings a mist descends upon the town, which creates an incredibly spooky atmosphere. It’s the perfect setting for a scary story …

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Making a mural at the Perth Writers Festival

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The Perth Writers Festival is over for another year. The weekend goes by so quick! I was very happy to be back this year as a presenter on the schools’ day and family day, and this year I also got to work on something a bit different – a massive mural.

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How to make a book for a Giant

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This year’s Perth International Arts Festival will see a 6 metre-tall girl walking down St George’s Terrace. She’s called ‘the Little Girl Giant’, and as part of her visit she’ll receive an enormous book from the children of the City of Perth. I helped schoolkids produce some art for the book. More details on the Giants and the book below.

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Join me for a picture book illustration workshop

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storyboard sample from ‘The Last Viking Returns’

I’m running a full-day picture book illustration workshop through UWA Extension.

There are four places left, so if it sounds like your kind of thing, book in and come along. Details below.

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The Last Viking Returns, September/October school holiday events

We’ve got two more Viking events happening during the school holidays:

  • the State Library exhibition continues until the end of the September
  • we’ve got a Boffins bookshop event in Perth on Wednesday 1st October.

Hit the link for the details.

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Tonya ‘Valkyrie’ McCusker launches The Last Viking Returns

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James and Norman with Malcolm, Tonya and Mary McCusker at the official launch

 

We had two launches for The Last Viking Returns this past week: a mini-launch at the fantastic Beaufort Street Books in Mount Lawley, then a big mammoth launch at the State Library. Tonya McCusker generously dressed up to launch our book with her daughter Mary ably assisting. Hit the jump for more photos.

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