It’s been out of print for a while but it’s finally back!

You can grab a copy of my first solo picture book, In The Lion, now.
Continue reading “‘In The Lion’ back in print”It’s been out of print for a while but it’s finally back!
You can grab a copy of my first solo picture book, In The Lion, now.
Continue reading “‘In The Lion’ back in print”2017 marks the 5-year anniversary of my book In The Lion.
It’s a catchy cumulative picture book about bravery, heroism and a very hungry carnivore. It was my first book as author and illustrator, and my first with the wonderful team at Walker Books.
I recently realised that in the five years since the book came out, I never got around to sharing the costumes I made for each character in the book. These were quick, easy and – yes, slightly crappy – costumes I made in an afternoon from things you could find around the house, plus a few things from the $2 shop and the art and craft store. When I talked about the book at the Perth Writers Festival in Feb 2013, kids from the audience wore the costumes and helped me act out the story.
Hopefully these costumes (or something like them) would work for you and your kids at home, or even the students in your class, so that you can act the story out too.
Bali … it’s an idyllic paradise filled with rice fields, temples and frangipanis … unless you’re in Kuta, and then it’s a place of digestive upsets and Bintang-singleted bogans.
Don’t go to Kuta. Go to Ubud. It’s a very special place an hour’s drive north of Denpasar, and I got the chance to go there for the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival in October. I ran a workshop for kids, I did a school session too, and I got to be on a panel with Mem Fox!
Details after the jump.
Continue reading “Meeting Mem: Ubud Writers and Readers Festival 2014”
My new children’s book The Last Viking Returns is finally out!
Written by Norman Jorgensen, it’s the sequel to The Last Viking. Here’s the official synopsis:
Josh is still as brave as a Viking warrior, and not much can scare a Viking … but the two littlest Vikings have grown up a bit since the first book, and they’re going berserk. They think they’re invincible, and that spells trouble!
When Pop takes the family to Viking World, Josh finds out just how far he’ll go to keep them safe.
You can find The Last Viking Returns at your local bookstore and online.
Hit the link for more photos from the official launches!
My picture book ‘In The Lion‘ was named a Notable Book in the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Picture Book of the Year category. Thanks to all the judges, and congrats to all my colleagues who had books noted and shortlisted.
Great news- my book In The Lion was selected for the International Youth Library’s 2013 White Ravens list!
250 books were selected from around the world. Congratulations to the other Australian and New Zealand creators featured on the list.
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”
He’s escaped!
My new book In The Lion is in all good bookstores now.
Magpies magazine released the first review:
“The format of the text is delightfully repetitive… in true children’s picture story book tradition it is up to the protagonist Richard to save the day! The illustrations are colourful and there is action within for the reader to giggle over. A fun story.” – Sharon Greenaway
But wait- THERE’S MORE! For a limited time, some bookstores are giving away a free In The Lion library bag with every purchase!
The flap opens up to make Liev the Lion roar.
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.
I was busting to animate a scene from the book. When I rough out the illustrations, I see it as a movie in my head. And now, part of it is a real little movie!
I’d love to go through and do the whole book. It would take about a month though- it took 14 hours to do a minute’s worth of footage.
Hope you like.