Category: news

Win a copy of my new book, Brobot

It’s almost here!

My new book is called Brobot. It’s a graphic novel for younger readers and it’s coming out with Fremantle Press on September 1st.

Sally Tinker makes machines … and Joe Tinker breaks them. As the world’s foremost inventor under the age of twelve, Sally knows she can build a better brother than Joe. But is her invention – Brobot – really all that a brother should be?

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Want a cheeky sneak-peek? Click here to read the first 16 pages for free.

Want to use the book in the classroom? Teacher notes are available now.

Want to order a copy? Ask at your local bookshop. If you don’t have one near you, Booktopia is taking pre-orders.

Win a copy of Brobot for you and your school

Fremantle Press is offering five lucky schools the chance to win two special Brobot gift packs: one for the classroom and one for the person who designs the best robot. Each gift pack features a poster and bookmark plus a signed copy of Brobot the book!

Want to enter? Visit the Fremantle Press website for entry information.

Entries close October 15th, 2016. Good luck!

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

Banksia Grove mural project

Banksia-Grove-mural-project-header

Late last year I was asked by the City of Wanneroo to work on a mural project with primary school students.

Our task: to make murals for the Banksia Grove Community Centre, based on the theme of ‘what makes me happy’?

Here’s what we did.

Continue reading “Banksia Grove mural project”

2015: Year in Review

The end of 2015 marks two and a half years since I gave up my day job at the Health Department. It’s also been my busiest year by far.

That doesn’t mean much when there’s only 1.5 other years to compare it to 😉 but I’ve run the numbers and it was pretty huge.

Here’s the vital statistics:

  • 118-ish days of talks and workshops at schools, libraries and festivals       (way up from 80 last year)
  • 12 festival/conference appearances    (more than the last two years combined)
  • Quietest term: 1st     (same as last year)
  • Quietest month: March     (last year = April)
  • Busiest term: 3rd     (same as last year)
  • Busiest months: August/Sept/Oct     (last year = Aug)
  • 4 trips over east      (down from 6 last year)
  • 1 trip each to Tas, Vic, NSW, Qld
  • 2.5 weeks = longest trip away (Qld)
  • 1 new book released (My Dead Bunny)
  • 3 book launches including 2 inter-state
  • 2 bouts of the flu
  • 1 contract for a work-in-progress
  • 1 grant
  • 2 community art projects
  • 9 editions of the James Foley-o newsletter

Phew.

Continue reading “2015: Year in Review”

Last Viking Returns voted number one by WA kids

The Last Viking Returns (2014), front coverNorm and I have some good news: The Last Viking Returns has won the Hoffman Award!

It’s one of the WA Young Readers’ Book Awards and it’s given to the highest-ranked book by a WA creator. The Last Viking won the same award back in 2012.

Huge thanks to all the WA kids who voted for our book; it means a lot.

You can read more about the win on the Fremantle Press website.

My Dead Bunny coming to Sydney, Perth & Melbourne

10-days-to-launchThere’s only 10 days until the release date of My Dead Bunny!

You’re invited to join myself and Bunny Brad at one of three events across the country in the next few weeks.

Continue reading “My Dead Bunny coming to Sydney, Perth & Melbourne”

Author Visit: James Foley

Thanks To the staff at Carey Baptist College iCentre for the great write-up on my visit!

qorvus's avatarTeasdale iCentre

On Tuesday the 5th of August, we had a visit from author/illustrator James Foley at the Carey iCentre.  James is the illustrator of The Last Viking and The Last Viking Returns, and the author/illustrator of In The Lion and My Dead Bunny, which will be released later in the year.

James 3

James came to speak to the year 7s and 8s about picture books, how it got his start in them and of his love of drawing.  He shared art and stories from when he was at school, speaking of his early attempts at art and story writing, and how it progressed with practice, all interspersed with humorous stories.

James 1Students

From there he shared of how he came into illustrating books, of the story-boarding and trail and error it took to arrive at the final version ready for publishing.  He also read and showed his latest book, My Dead Bunny…

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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 …

Balingup mist
Balingup mist
Balingup mist

Continue reading “Zombie animals terrify at Telling Tales”

An upcycled kindergarten

Header-IMG_4882 I’ve been working on a great community project since April; I was hired by Yanchep Community Centre to redesign their playgroup outdoor area. It needed to be suitable for the 2-4 year olds from the weekly playgroups, and it needed to include a water play area and a music play area. it also needed to use as many upcycled materials as possible. Here’s what we did.

Continue reading “An upcycled kindergarten”