As part of my Children’s Book Month, I was invited to the Cocos Islands.
Yep. You heard right.
I was flown out to the middle of the Indian Ocean, to a beautiful tropical atoll, a ring of 26 islands of which only 2 are inhabited, and I was paid to be there and draw with groups of schoolkids.
My job is tops.
I spent the last week of August in Kalgoorlie, an old mining town in Western Australia’s goldfields. The Library hosted me, and I saw three school groups a day for 5 days.
I’d been to Kalgoorlie twice before but only ever briefly (my first visit was for year 7 camp back in 1994). This time around I got to explore it more, and also see the nearby towns of Coolgardie and Kambalda.
Out there I was struck by how big the sky was. Sometimes you can see all the way to the horizon with nothing in the way.
And a big pit- a superpit, in fact.
On July 30, my friends, family and the Perth SCBWI crew gathered at Beaufort Street Books to launch my new book In The Lion.
My cousin, author Jon Doust, launched the book. Thanks Jon!
Then on August 11th, we had a family day at Beaufort Street Books! It was an all-day extravaganza featuring:
Continue reading “In The Lion launch and family day”
I’ll be in Balingup this weekend (Sat 14th and Sun 15th July) for the Telling Tales Children’s Literature Festival.
Last year was my first time at the festival, and I was really impressed with the way the community runs it and gets behind it. It’s not that far a drive from Perth city – only an hour south-east of Bunbury – and well worth the visit.
There’s a great lineup this year, including Sean E Avery, David Caddy, Deb Fitzpatrick, Elaine Forrestal, Gabriel Evans, Sonia Martenez and Chris Nixon.
My first picture book The Last Viking (written by the great Norman Jorgensen) has won the 2012 Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ (SCBWI) Crystal Kite Award.
This is a members’ choice award. Writers and illustrators from each region voting on their favourite title for the past year.
Congratulations to all the other Crystal Kite winners around the world! And many many thanks to all the Australian and New Zealander SCWBIans for choosing our book; it’s very humbling to have your support.
The Last Viking has won the 2012 Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ (SCBWI) Crystal Kite Award.
This is a members’ choice award. Writers and illustrators from each region voting on their favourite title for the past year.
Congratulations to all the other Crystal Kite winners around the world! And many many thanks to all the Australian and New Zealander SCWBIans for choosing our book; it’s very humbling to have your support.
Brilliant brilliant news…
The Last Viking has been listed in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards 2012!
- Notable Book, Picture Book of the Year category, CBCA Awards 2012
- Shortlist, Early Childhood category, CBCA Awards 2012
The Last Viking has also been shortlisted in the 2011 Aurealis Awards for Australian fantasy, science fiction and horror creators.
Brilliant brilliant news…
My debut book The Last Viking, written by Norman Jorgensen, has been shortlisted in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards 2012!
We scored two mentions:
I’m very surprised and very chuffed. It’s one of those cliches… ever since I was a kid, I dreamed that one day one of my books would have the shiny CBCA sticker on the cover- and now it’s happened, hooray! It’s a great honour and a great affirmation. Congrats Norm! And thanks to the CBCA 🙂
Norman Jorgensen and I received great news this year regarding our children’s book, The Last Viking. It has been shortlisted for 4 awards!
It’s a great buzz to be nominated with Norman, and also to be nominated alongside illustrators that I look up to.
Hi everyone,
Norm and I have some excellent news to share for 2012. The Last Viking has been shortlisted for three awards!
- 2012 Western Australian Young Readers’ Book Awards
- 2012 Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature
- 2012 Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ Crystal Kite Awards
It’s a great honour to have The Last Viking listed alongside books by Australian and international greats, like Shaun Tan, Bruce Whatley, Alison Lester and Chris van Allsburg.
James Foley 