news – Page 14 – James Foley

International honour for In The Lion

Great news- my book In The Lion was selected for the International Youth Library’s 2013 White Ravens list!

White Ravens Selection 2013

250 books were selected from around the world. Congratulations to the other Australian and New Zealand creators featured on the list.

The kids’ votes are in – The Last Viking wins the 2012 Hoffman Award!

The Last Viking has won the Hoffman Award in the 2012 West Australian Young Readers’ Awards.

The Hoffman is awarded to the highest-ranked book by a West Australian creator (in this case, 2 creators!).

It sure is an honour to have kids pick and then vote for their favourite book. Thanks to all the WA young readers who voted, we couldn’t be happier.

Last Viking wins CBCA award (according to Junior Judges)

That’s right- junior judges around Australia voted The Last Viking for winner of Early Childhood Book of the Year 2012.

The Junior Judges Project is a free online program offered to schools by the Children’s Book Council of Australia. It’s a great way to get your classroom interested in the shortlisted books, so if you’re a teacher, consider it for next year.

Children’s Book Week, Cocos style

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.

Continue reading “Children’s Book Week, Cocos style”

Children’s Book Week, Kalgoorlie style

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.

They’ve got big trucks too.

And a big pit- a superpit, in fact.

Continue reading “Children’s Book Week, Kalgoorlie style”

In The Lion launch and family day

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:
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Telling Tales in Balingup this weekend

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.

Continue reading “Telling Tales in Balingup this weekend”

Last Viking flying high

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.

Last Viking flying high

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.