12 Curly Questions with author/illustrator Penelope Pratley

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I love hanging out the laundry with matching pegs and folding it in all its sunshiny goodness.

2. What is your nickname?
I’ve never really had a nickname because Penelope is always shortened to Penny – but I prefer Penelope (as long as I’m not in trouble).

3. What is your greatest fear?
Something horrendous happening to the people I love most in the world.

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Simple, kind, gentle, brave, cheerful, compassionate, curious, optimistic and hopeful.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Thoughtful, creative, (occasionally) insightful, optimistic, dreamer.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
I would be the little girl from Marie Hall Ets picture book Play With Me. Not only is it my favourite picture book but it sums up life so beautifully. Stop chasing everything away because you’re trying too hard. It will all come back to you if you sit still for a while.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I genuinely don’t have an answer to this question. Not very adventurous or curious I know, but I am very content right here and now.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
My ten-year-old self would be extraordinarily happy that grown-up Penelope has two dogs and a cat. She’d ask what are their names and could she take them home.

9. Who is your greatest influence?
That is a huge question! Do I have a greatest influence? I don’t think so… I am influenced by every story I have every heard, every image I have pored over, every child I have taught, my own precious family, my beautiful friends and by the desire to share love, joy, peace, kindness and generosity.

10. What/who made you start writing?
I started drawing – I have always drawn, the writing comes after.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
I love old-fashioned and unusual words that are generally no longer used. One of my favourite possessions is a dictionary of them. For example:
Penelope is a pluviophile; she curls up with a book and a cup of tea as any good librocubularist does when the clouds burst.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I dislike this question immensely but if I can only choose one it would be Heidi.

 Tasmanian born illustrator/author Penelope Pratley has been mucking about with paint for as long as she can remember. She loves illustrating and writing books that encourage children to be kind, brave, gentle, compassionate, curious and hopeful, inspiring them to find their place in the world. For more information, see www.penelopesnest.com.

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Review: Bushlife

Review: Dogs in Disguise

Imagine that dogs are walking about dressed up as human beings.  

Dogs in Disguise does just that.

In this book, dogs are making the most of their access to clothes. Hats, coats, and shoes. Tuxedos, waistcoats, and swimsuits. You name it they are trying it on. Even wigs!

Would you recognise a dog in disguise?

With fabulous and funny rhyming text from Peter Bently, and crazy and colourful illustrations by John Bond, you'll discover just what these dogs can do.

Various breeds of dogs are involved. There are schnauzers in pink striped trousers. A shih-tzu in a jujitsu outfit, and French bulldogs in a trenchcoat and hat.

Just imagine dogs you know dropping into the local cafe, heading to the cinema, or browsing at a cclothing store.

Older dogs teach puppies how to disguise themselves. Just because they are young doesn't mean they're not old enough to learn about dressing up. They start with table manners and walking tall. Unfortunately the youngsters do sometimes give the game away, or get a bit mixed up, and can find themselves in a pickle.

Will Dogs in Disguise make you look at your own dog differently? It will certainly provide entertainment with plenty of laughs for the whole family. 

Title: Dogs in Disguise
Author: Peter Bently
Illustrator: John Bond
Publisher: Harper Collins, $ 19.99
Publication Date: February 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780008469146
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Archie & Reddie: Look What We Can Do!

Archie and Reddie are back, and this time there entering a talent competition. 

If they win, they’ll get a cool giant wagon for pulling books, so they really, really want to win. 

But are their talents enough? Maybe they should add more to their act to make it the most amazing entry ever!

This is the third book in this fabulous new kids series by Candy James (who is a very cool and mysterious kind of creator who you can find out more about at the back of each book!). 

The books are written in comic book/graphic novel style, so it’s all fun dialogue accompanied by bright and funky illustrations across every page.

These are brilliant books for junior readers, particularly kids just starting to read independently. The text is simple, short and easy to follow and the books are just all so much fun — super engaging for kids (and adults, too I might add!).

Archie and Reddie are really cool and colourful characters, with loads of personality. They are the kind of characters you want to latch on to. Ones that jump from the page and feel real. It’s so easy to feel that you know these two fun foxes personally and you are actually part of their lives. Not an easy thing to achieve in such a short word count, but Candy James does it with masterful skill.

The other great thing about these books is that they are episodic, and can all be read out of order, so it truly doesn’t matter which book you pick up first. This makes the series really accessible for young readers and also reluctant readers that might like to read a whole series, but don’t want to be committed to it.

I highly recommended this book, and book 1 and 2 in the Archie and Reddie series, for junior fiction fans who like a fun, funny and easy read.

Title: Archie & Reddie: Look What We Can Do!
Author/illustrator: Candy James
Publisher: HarperCollins, $16.99
Publication Date: 26 February 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781460760826
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Books, Junior Fiction

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Review: Spike Surfs

Meet The Illustrator: Cynthia Cliff

Name: Cynthia Cliff

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Folk-art inspired graphic optimism infused with whimsical details

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
Inspiration in the form of illustrators I love, some “cue words” that mentally help me be prepared for artmaking, talismans from my travels, natural light, plants, my collection of odd and unusual things, a hot cup of tea, and a clean and ready surface (this is the hardest part!)

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
I love, love, love gouache.

Name three artists whose work inspires you.
I’ll tackle this by narrowing it down to children’s book illustrators, and even more so by focusing on contemporary women illustrators. I can tell you that I have way more than three that inspire me, and it changes and evolves all of the time! Let’s go with Beatrice Alemagna, Carson Ellis, and Felicita Sala. Can I also mention Emily Sutton, Phoebe Wahl and Sophie Blackall? Ha ha! I could keep going… 

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?

This is very difficult to answer! I love all kinds of art and illustration. It’s like trying to pick your favourite child. But, if I had to pick a period as it relates to picture book illustration, I’d say the mid-century. It was kind of a golden age for picture book makers, especially for women. Illustrators like Virginia Lee Burton and Mary Blair, whose work is often graphic in quality with a nod to primitive folk art, resonate with me and my work. I would have loved to be a little fly on the wall in their studios.

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
I’d have to look way back to my childhood to find my earliest inspiration. I was enthralled by the A.A. Milne Winnie the Pooh books. I wanted so badly to be able to create a world like that myself. Those stories made me want to be part of the picture book making world.

 

Can you share a photo of your creative workspace or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
My studio is currently in my home which is a five-story zig-zag kind of cottage. My workspace is in a small room, around a little corner on level four, where the internet is sometimes a bit rickety. It is packed with books, artwork and supplies, and is very cosy because all of the walls are covered, and every space is filled. I’ve got a drawing table under a south facing window that often holds more plants than artwork. Along one wall are bookshelves which hold just a portion of my picture book and art book collection, the rest of my collection is on level two. On some walls are shelves that hold a tumble and jumble of inspirational art and things. 

My base workspace is a u-shaped work surface where I have my computers, lots of traditional art supplies and my scanner. In this area I’ve got a bulletin board where I keep schedules (I also have electronic versions, but I like to see printouts too) inspirational quotes and some of my own personal goals. All around the room are special trinkets and talismans that make me feel connected to people and places.

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
I love the whole process really. Generating ideas is the most exciting part. But after the idea is hatched, when you are in the thick of the artmaking, that is the most relaxing and rewarding part. So, I guess that is my most favourite part.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
New illustrators are always desperate to find their mark-making “style” or what some would call “their voice”. There are really only a couple of ways to do that. One is to make a lot of art, experimenting with techniques and tools. The other is to identify what makes you different from others as a person. What is your heritage and your upbringing? What are the experiences you’ve had, and the places you’ve been? What is important to you and what do you believe in and value? Understanding yourself and what makes you unique, and connecting your art to those things, will make your work unique. It’s the secret sauce.

Cynthia grew up in a tiny historic village in rural Virginia, surrounded by animals, gardens, and a large extended family—which provided her with a love of history, family, nature, and folklore—themes that find their way into much of her work. She began her professional illustration career in 2019 after living many other lives. Today, she resides in Virginia just outside of Washington, D.C.

For more information, please visit Cynthia's website or follow her on instagram.

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Guest Post: Jon Appleton on Connecting with Creatives

Announcement: Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Notables List

Where can you find cranky chickens, thoughtful coming-of-age stories and thrilling tales of Australia’s first scientists?

On the 116-strong Notables List for the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Awards.

CBCA National Chair Wendy Rapee said it was a “watershed year” with entries topping the 600 mark for the first time, and a longlist that “represents the exciting and wide-ranging landscape of Australian children’s literature as it stands today”.

“Hundreds of thousands of authors and illustrators, librarians, publishers, and book lovers of all ages wait in eager anticipation for the CBCA Book of the Year Awards Notables List, and they will not be disappointed,” Ms Rapee said.

“Our professional and passionate judges have recognised a diverse range of genres, a huge cast of engaging and authentic characters, and exciting places that readers will want to inhabit.”

Well-known names including Sally Morgan, Emily Rodda and Graeme Base are joined by debut authors including six new Indigenous creators on a particularly strong Eve Pownall Notables List. High quality production values, great research and inventive storytelling made it a brilliant year for these information books.

“A huge number of entries for the Picture Books category show that our skilled, innovative book creators have been hard at work over the last 12 months despite – or maybe because of – Covid-19.

“Our judges were very happy to see so many characters who championed problem-solving and self-acceptance. The children in these books may be different from others, but they find a way to express their feelings and gradually learn it’s okay to be different.”

The Older Readers Notable books explore body image, sexuality, grief and love in a range of life situations, while the Younger Readers Notables reinforce resilience and the importance of the environment and families, in formats that include time slip and verse

The Early Childhood Notables reflect children’s connection with animals through engaging and playful stories about pets and Australian wildlife, also featuring diverse families and the regulation of emotions.

The CBCA is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organisation which aims to engage the community with literature for young Australians.

Regarded as Australia’s premier children’s literature award, the CBCA Book of the Year was established in 1946 and is now presented in six categories: Older Readers, Younger Readers, Early Childhood, Picture Book, Eve Pownall Award and the CBCA Award for New Illustrator.

For the full list of CBCA Book of the Year 2022 Notables please visit their website.

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Review: Only a Monster

Joan Chang-Hunt is spending the summer with her grandmother, cousins, aunt and uncle in London. 

She’s volunteering at the historical Holland House. She’s met a boy. Life is good.

And then everything changes.

Joan’s grandmother has always been… different. In fact, all her relatives on her late mother’s side have always had quirks. 

But Joan had no idea what they were — what SHE is — until the night she discovers her own abilities — discovers that, like her family, she is a monster of London.

Forced to face a new and confronting reality, Joan must come to terms with what she truly is. But when a secret organisation is hunting you, your loved ones are in grave danger and you don’t WANT to be a monster, it’s hard to make lemonade out of the few lemons you have.

I’ve been light on the plot description here, but I’ve done it on purpose as I don’t want to give away any of the secrets and spoil this whirlwind of a novel. It’s such an immersive and addictive read. It’s something you’ll want to experience for yourself — every mystery, every plot twist, every secret.

I haven’t read a novel quite like this before. It has all the elements you want: mystery, love, fantasy, action, adventure. But it’s all spun from a new and different perspective — from the perspective of the monster, the baddie, the one who isn’t the hero and isn’t there to save the world.

All the characters are rich and deep in this novel. Each has strengths and each has flaws. They’ll make you question right and wrong, and which side you should be on. They will make you think about actions and consequences and the hard choices we are faced with throughout our lives.

If you’re looking for a new urban fantasy YA read, I highly recommend you grab a copy of Only a Monster. It is fresh, addictive and oh so satisfying.

P.s — this is Aussie author Vanessa Len’s first YA novel (and what a debut!), and I’m excited to reveal that my investigation of her website revealed reference to the monsters’ 'trilogy'. I really, really hope for my sake (and yours) I know exactly what this means!

Title: Only a Monster
Author: Vanessa Len
Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $22.99
Publication Date: February 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760878313
For ages: 13+
Type: Young Adult Fiction

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Review: Ouch: Tales of Gravity

What is gravity and how do you explain it?

How do you put this scientific concept in historical context?

And just who 'discovered' gravity anyway?

In Ouch: Tales of Gravity, author Kate Simpson points out that people knew about gravity well before Isaac Newton, even if they didn't realise it.

Just the process of something falling and hitting us on the foot, head, or somewhere else was a basic reminder, and one that can hurt. Ouch!

Through carefully chosen examples, readers will discover how gravity pulls things towards each other, and that when they are big enough it has enough power for us to notice. 

On earth, gravity makes things heavy and we can see gravity pull them toward the ground. But in space there is no gravity and things work differently and life is a bit more difficult.

Andy Hardiman's illustrations are descriptive, contain just the right amount of detail, and a bit of humour, too. There's no jumping on the bed in space!

At the back of Ouch there are some key facts about gravity, and the part Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein played in helping to explain it. There's also a simple experiment for readers to try. All you need is two similar-sized plastic bottles and some water.

Perfect for home or school, Ouch: Tales of Gravity is a great book for introducing and explaining an important concept to children, whatever their age.

Download Teachers' Tips from the publisher's website for discussion prompts and activities.

Title: Ouch: Tales of Gravity
Author: Kate Simpson
Illustrator: Andy Hardiman
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $ 24.99
Publication Date: Februrary 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760526610
For ages: 6+
Type: Junior Non Fiction

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Review: Tractor

Attention Harry Potter Fans - Miles Of Magic Photo Competition

Review: Zoo School

12 Curly Questions with author/illustrator duo Candy James

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
We are actually two people: Candy (illustrator) and James (writer). We’re a wife-and-husband creative duo who’ve been making things together since the year 2000, the distant future.

2. What is your nickname?
Candy’s probably going to say we’re not social enough to earn nicknames, but don’t believe her, that’s a lie! We do so have nicknames. They are … umm … Super Candy and … er … Super James. Yeah, that’ll fool them. Wait, did I type that out loud? Next question!

3. What is your greatest fear?
Boredom. We do everything we can to scare it away.

4. Describe your creative style in 10 words.
Co-operative, evolving, bold, playful, funny, sweet, sarcastic, cute, cuddly, different.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a creator.
We always make things together.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
This was surprisingly tricky because we soon realised there’s a big difference between enjoying a book character and actually living their life. But Tove Jansson’s Moomin seems to live a pretty neat life. He lives in a beautiful valley with a bunch of eccentrics, enjoying the simple things in life (like berries and pancakes), while still finding time to head off on the occasional adventure. We think we could live with that.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
We’d go to Los Angeles in the 1960s so that Candy could go undercover at Disney and James go undercover at Warner Bros. We’d be the ultimate animation spies, learning from the masters and coming back with a swag of new skills and funny ideas.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
This could get deep and meaningful, but as shy 10-year-olds, we’d probably just be excited to find some silly adults we could draw with! Most likely, we’d be asking our adult selves to draw different things.

9. Who is your greatest influence?
When we are creating graphic stories, we rely on an awful lot of influences from different stages of our lives. It’s an eclectic mix of Japanese manga (things like Ranma ½, Yotsuba, Dragonball, and Dr. Slump), older British TV comedies, Warner Bros cartoons, Simpsons, and animated movies by Disney, Pixar, and Dreamworks. Oh, and we mustn’t forget an assortment of Nintendo games, pop-culture, movies by Steven Spielberg and Wes Anderson, and works by AA Milne and Tove Jansson.

10. What/who made you start creating?
Candy always wanted to draw Mickey Mouse and James always wanted to be Disney. So, we inspired each other and became each other’s biggest fans.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
‘Done it!’
We know it’s actually two words, but you say it like one – ‘Dunnit!’ – and it’s such a lovely word to say after you’ve completed something. ‘Wotado?’ is another great one. You say it with your lips puckered out and it can’t help but get a positive response when you find yourself wondering what to do.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
AA Milne’s The House at Pooh Corner. This was one of the first books James read out loud to Candy (when we were both about 20 years old). Already a firm favourite of James’, this reading opened up a whole new world of magic in Candy’s mind – books could actually make you laugh! She’s since spent the last 18 years wondering what it must be like bouncing around inside Kanga’s pouch. 

Candy James is a husband-and-wife creative duo originally from Hong Kong and New Zealand, but now living on a thickly forested hill in Ballarat, Australia. They are toy, graphic and garden designers who love to make funny books for kids. Archie & Reddie: Look What We Can Do is out now, along with other titles in the Archie & Reddie series. For more information, see www.candyjames.com.


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Review: The Velvet City (Kingdom of the Lost Book #4)

The long-awaited conclusion to The Kingdom of the Lost series is here. 

The Velvet City brings Zluty and Bily’s journey to an end, but it’s not without challenge, adventure and the unwrapping of so many secrets that have weaved throughout the four-book series.

In the Velvet City, Zluty and Bily must leave the Monks, and the special home they’ve made with them over the long winter, and travel to the Velvet City with the Monster. 

But things don’t exactly go to plan and the way they both make it to the city is not what either of them expected. Much like their travels since leaving their home, however, destiny seems to have found them and they end up exactly where they need to be.

Sometimes a slower pace, but never boring, the story has an addictiveness that is hard to describe. It's the characters, I think. Rich and deep and fulsome. They are so 'whole', they are real, and their different views and  perspectives on their complicated world make for some intense and interesting reading. I just adore them.

I also adore the flexibility of this story. Read it as a fantasy tale of two brothers conquering evil in a strange and fantastical world, or dig deeper. Ask hard questions about the characters’ motives, and become obsessed (like me) with the mysterious makers — who they are and why the want to come through the sky. 

The issues and themes the book raises are so deliciously varied: the environment, humanity, right and wrong, stereotyping and fear. But in a way that is just so 'Isobelle Carmody', none of the themes are obvious or hit you over the head with messages. You get to pull out the tendrils you're drawn to, think what you want to think, and ask the questions you want to ask. There's so much hidden within the story, this is one of those series worthy of a second read through just to pick up on secrets you may have missed.

If you're a fan of Carmody's work, you will adore this series. And if this is your first Carmody tale, it’s a very special one to start with. It's junior fiction/middle grade depending on the reading style of the audience, but it's also a book for teens and adults alike. It's just good storytelling.

One of Carmody’s special gifts is the ability to implant impressions and feelings in readers long after they close the book. This novel is no exception. While my adventures with Zluty and Bily are now over, I have a sneaking suspicion they won’t disappear from my mind any time soon. 

And I love that.

Note: this is a series best started from the beginning and read in order. To find out about the other books in the series, check out The Red Wind (book 1), The Cloud Road (book 2) and The Ice Maze (book 3).

Title: The Velvet City
Author/illustrator: Isobelle Carmody
Publisher: Puffin Books, $19.99
Publication Date: 2 July 2021
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780670075126
For ages: 8 - 14
Type: Junior Fiction, Middle Grade

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Winner: Sticky McStickstick and The Tale Of The Tiny Man Picture Book Prize Pack

Our lucky winner is...

Jody Smith, NSW

Congratulations!

You have won a copy of both of these moving new picture book releases, Sticky McStickstick by Michael Rosen and Tony Ross and The Tale of The Tiny Man by Barbro Lindgren and Eva Eriksson.

Thank you to ALL who entered. We had so many fantastic names and entries that we had to create a shortlist! Who knew walking stick names were so popular!

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Video: The Secret Detectives

History, mystery and murder. When a girl living in India is orphaned, she is sent to live with relatives in England. On the journey by ship Isobel witnesses something disturbing, but the captain maintains that nothing is amiss. Can Isobel solve the puzzle before they reach England and the passengers disperse? She'll need all the help she can get from her friends Lettie and Sam.

The Secret Detectives is inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel, The Secret Garden. It's written by Ella Risbridger, a young British writer whose first published book was a cookbook.

Title: The Secret Detectives
Author: Ella Risbridger
Publisher: Nosy Crow, $ 16.00
Publication Date: 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781788006002
For ages: 9+
Type: Junior Fiction

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Review: The Book no one Wants to Read

Who wants to read a book? Books are boring. They’re a waste of time. We only read because our parents and teachers make us, right?

Well, I agree with this 100% (wink, wink), but if you have to read a book. If you absolutely HAVE to pick up a book and read it, then I promise, this is the one you want!

The Book no one Wants to Read is crazy fun! 

It looks like it's a chunky size, but that’s just to fool your parents into thinking you’ve read a chunky book. Inside, you won’t find more than 10 words per page, and each is loads of fun.

The brightly coloured pages engage and delight as the book comes to life and invites you to stay with it for a while and pretend to be reading, while, actually, you are goofing off. Genius!

Play a game of rock, paper, scissors, share some jokes, solve puzzles, and before you know it, you’ve finished the whole book!

With vibrant pages filled with funky images and giant text, this is the book for kids who love to laugh and just aren’t that interested in a serious read or long read, which is completely fine. Even kids who do love a chunky serious read will get so many kicks out of this one. It’s perfect for everyone.

For big laughs, loads of fun and sneaky secrets between you and your new book pal, grab a copy of The Book no one Wants to Read. And if you like this one, I dare say you will love I Hate Reading, also by Beth Bacon.

Title: The Book no one Wants to Read
Author/Illustrator: Beth Bacon
Publisher: Pushkin Press, $19.99
Publication Date: January 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781782693192
For ages: 6 - 12
Type: Picture Book, Junior Fiction

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Review: Endangered Animal Tales 3: Rusty The Rainbow Bird

Meet The Illustrator: Astrid Jaekel

Name: Astrid Jaekel

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Lots of textures, bold silhouettes and shapes, analogue meets digital.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
Ink, rollers, watercolour, brushes, craft knife, scanner, laptop and Wacom tablet
But also: music, audio books & daily soaps, barley coffee, very dark chocolate and a massage pad for my achy illustrator’s back

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
I love working with stamp printing and mixed media collage. I create my own coloured and textured papers and then cut them up and scan so I can arrange all the bits digitally. I love to working with materials and want to retain an analogue aesthetic while allowing myself the freedom of combining and moving things around endlessly on screen.

Name three artists whose work inspires you.
Not long ago I visited the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Odense, Denmark. I’m impressed with how he made all those tiny paper cut-outs using a massive pair of scissors, and that while he was telling stories to an audience. I take inspiration from a broad range of things, often unrelated to illustration. I’ve been spending some time looking at Max Ernst’s rubbings and grattages lately, and also love looking at 18 century silhouette paintings and folk art in general.

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
It would be exciting to see the Berlin of the 1920s and experience the artistic scene back then. I’d love to visit a Dada performance and soak up some of that crazy energy

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
I spent a large part of my childhood living in Ireland, where my parents had moved to from Germany to live an adventurous life, running an almost self-sufficient farm. I had the sort of childhood that many kids in the 80s would have had: very little entertainment, no sports clubs or music classes to be taken to, and just lots of time on my hands. My three siblings and I were usually sent out to play and would only return home for lunch or dinner. We mostly just roamed freely on the farm. 

We were always around animals and we were always inventing toys and games. There were a limited amount of toys in the house, but there was always a big box of pencils, markers, and a stack of paper. I have very fond memories of rainy days when we’d all be sat around the dining table drawing and making things. My older sister had a big impact on me. I spent my first years copying whatever she was doing, often much to her annoyance. One day, when I copied her way of drawing horses’ hind legs, she jabbed me in the arm with a pencil tip. It had taken her a while to figure out how to do it and there I was immediately copying her hard work. Ever since, I’ve literally had drawing in my blood.

 
It still took me a while to realise that I could be doing illustration professionally. It wasn’t an option anybody told you about at school and I wasn’t aware of many creative professions. After school, I applied for a design course in Germany, but my portfolio was rejected. I was gutted, believing I had no talent. 

I started an apprenticeship to become a clinical dietitian. I ended up working in the field for a couple of years after my training and it took me five years to regain the confidence and make another attempt to study art after I had first been rejected. I ended up completing a fine art degree and then moving to Scotland to do a Master’s in Illustration. I’m just so glad that I took the right turn and that I am now doing what I love most.

 

Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
My studio is a small room within our house. Before we moved into it this year my studio was in the corner of our flat’s living room in-between my little daughter’s toys and all sorts of stuff. Now I finally have a place of my own and I love taking a moment to look at all my books lined up in the shelf and knowing exactly where to find everything in lots of drawers and boxes. Nothing like your own space! The state of my studio usually reflects the state of my mind and goes from orderly, fresh and focussed to very chaotic if I’m nearing a deadline and have been losing sleep / my nerves!

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
I love the doodling stage when I come up with all sorts of ideas. This often happens while I’m sitting on the train on the way back home from my teaching job in town. As my commute only takes 24 minutes there’s some pressure to think quickly and that is really good for me as I otherwise tend to faff about! Once at home it’s harder to find a really peaceful moment to concentrate. And then of course I love getting lost in the mindless making stage while listening to a good audiobook.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
I think it’s important to not try to be somebody else but to be yourself within your work as much as you can. Take inspiration from what your truly passionate about feed that energy into our work. Illustration fashions come and go. I personally think it’s more rewarding to find some of your inspiration outside of illustration instead of just looking at other illustrators. Within my career it has also been really helpful to reach out to people and prospective clients in real life and not just over social media. Join up with pals to get an exhibition going, meet like-minded people. Illustration can be a lonely place and it’s great to have a community that exists outside of your phone!

 
Astrid has lived for most of her life in West Cork, Ireland, and Frankfurt, Germany. She now is based just outside of Edinburgh, Scotland, where she works as both a freelance Illustrator and teaches illustration at Edinburgh College of Art. As an artist, Astrid likes working with anything from the tiniest design to huge public installations.

For more information, please visit Astrid's website or follow her on instagram.

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Junior Review: Truly Tyler

After Emmie reveals her crush toward Tyler, no one can leave either of them alone. Especially when Tyler starts to hang out with her. 

He has to decide how he should avoid embarrassment before he becomes the laughing stock of the entire school. Should he end his friendship with Emmie before it’s too late? 

Or should he deal with his friends’ constant teasing?

Meanwhile Emmie is worried that it is her fault that Tyler is being constantly harassed. 

She decides if she is to hang out and complete an exciting comics project with her crush then it is time for a whole new reinvention. 

But how can she ever be cool enough for her crush? She better find out soon, before her love life turns her into a standing joke.

This book was an interesting and highly relatable story. Terri Libenson is able to write amazing life-like scenarios that make all teenagers instantly relate to the array of characters. This book, and all the others in this series, are perfect for tweens and early teens.

Title: Truly Tyler
Author: Terri Libenson
Illustrator: Terri Libenson
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780062894564
For ages: 11 - 14
Type: Middle Grade Fiction

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12 Curly Questions with author Isabelle Duff

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I have a webbed toe, but I think it actually impairs my swimming ability instead of helping (based on results).

2. What is your nickname?
My Dad calls me Shorty, Mum calls me Moo and my friends call me Duffy.

3. What is your greatest fear?
When I was 10, my family recreated Alison Lester’s Are We There Yet? and travelled around Australia in a caravan. I developed a (very rational) fear of crocodiles. They are the contemporary dinosaur; you cannot convince me otherwise.

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Trying to make a difference, everyone should have a dog.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Enthusiastic, empathetic, aware, honest, loving.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
Somewhere between Hermione Granger and Pippi Longstocking. They were my role models growing up. They are brave, strong, independent and kind. All the things I hope to be.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
1984, just for the music.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
Of course you can change the world. It is really not that hard.

9. Who is your greatest influence?
My spectacular, kind, brilliant and slightly crazy mum. She has taught me to believe in myself, given me endless and wonderful support and is truly the sort of woman I hope to become myself one day.

10. What/who made you start writing?
My gorgeous dog, Saffy, who inspired Cookie. He made me smile when it was really hard to do and made me laugh when no one else could. He gives me so much joy and made me want to share it with everyone else. He also gives the best hugs.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
Puppies. Likely to make pretty much everyone smile.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pride and Prejudice, my favourite book for sure. It is intelligent, funny and beautifully written, with so many fabulous details I don’t think you could ever get bored. Apparently when my great-grandmother got to 97 she stopped reading anything else and read Pride and Prejudice on repeat for five years. I am considering a similar tactic.

Isabelle Duff wrote Cookie when she was 18, inspired by her border collie, Saffy, and her experiences with anxiety and depression. Isabelle is now 20 and studies Advanced Science and Commerce at UNSW in Sydney. For more information, see www.isabelleduff.com.

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Sticky McStickStick

Review: Five On a Treasure Island / Five Go Adventuring Again

If you're of a certain age, and perhaps even if you're not, then you're probably familiar with The Famous Five.

Written by the prolific Enid Blyton, the first book in the The Famous Five series was originally published in 1942 and followed by twenty more.

Released this month for the first time in English, are graphic novel editions of the first two stories in the series. They were first published in France where another four stories have also been released.

They are somewhat abridged in their retelling, created by the father and son team of Natael and Beja, to bring the stories of the adventuresome group of children to a new lot of readers.

Five On a Treasure Island introduces readers to three siblings, Julian, Dick and Anne, who arrive to spend the summer with their aunt, uncle and cousin Georgina, whom they barely know. 

They quickly learn that Georgina will only answer to George, and has a dog named Timmy who her parents are unaware of. As the four children and dog (the Famous Five) explore nearby Kirrin Island, they discover a map and the possibility of hidden treasure.

In Five Go Adventuring Again, the cousins are on holiday again, but have school work to do to improve their grades. They still manage to find time to uncover a coded message and a secret passage.

Despite the retelling, the stories remain a product of their time, with dated concepts and stereotypes. However, whether or not you think of The Famous Five fondly, these books are a chance to engage newly independent readers and build their reading confidence. They can also help connect them with the mystery and adventure genres, encouraging them to move on to read other books in those genres.

The illustrations for these graphic novel editions are fitting for the time period in which the stories were originally set, the 1940s. The style is quite reminiscent of Herge's Tintin, which is perhaps unsurprising given that illustrator Beja was passionate about Tintin as a youngster.

The Famous Five graphic novels offer a great alternative for young readers who have been enjoying classics like Asterix and Tintin, or other newer, highly illustrated stories like those by Dav Pilkey and Anh Do.

Title: Five On a Treasure Island / Five Go Adventuring Again
Author: Enid Blyton
Illustrator: Beja and Natael
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books, $ 16.99
Publication Date: February 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781444963670 / 9781444963687
For ages: 8+
Type: Graphic Novel

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Giveaway: Sticky McStickstick & The Tale Of The Tiny Man Picture Book Prize Pack

Review: Cranky Chicken

This is Katherine Battersby's eighth illustrated story book and the first in a new series of graphic stories for junior readers.

Everybody needs someone like Speedy the worm in their lives.

Even Cranky, the super cranky chicken who gets cranky from things such as bright sunshine and dirty dirt.

Speedy's cheerful and funny and just wants to be friends with Cranky.

But does Cranky actually need a friend? Cranky is fine, fine, fine just fine on her own.

Well, kids will see that answer to that pretty much straight away, and will have fun waiting for the penny to drop.

In the three stories told in this beautiful book, Cranky and Speedy go on a journey and learn what it means to have a friend and to be a friend, and to push the boundaries of your fears.

Battersby's illustrations are simply gorgeous and gorgeously simple. She can even make eyebrows look natural on a chicken. I especially loved her little nod to the Very Hungry Caterpillar in the third story. Battersby's books have been shortlisted for many awards, and I hope this will be the one that cracks it for her.

Title:Cranky Chicken
Author:Katherine Battersby
Illustrator: Katherine Battersby
Publisher: Hachette, $14.95
Publication Date: September, 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN:9780734420954
For ages: 4-6
Type: Junior Fiction

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Event: Geelong Arts Centre's 2022 Family Magic Program

Proudly supported by Major Artistic Partner, Deakin University, Geelong Arts Centre’s Family Magic program returns in 2022 with a diverse range of fantastic family-friendly productions.

Consisting of six brilliantly dynamic, engaging and accessible performances, the program is designed to captivate, inspire and entertain children under 12, as well as their parents, siblings, grandparents and carers.

Running from March through to August, the enticing 2022 programs consists of a variety of musical and theatrical experiences, literary favourites coming to life, and for the very first time, an immersive performance specially designed for children with a broad range of access needs.

For many children in the G21 region (Geelong Region Alliance), the Family Magic program provides their first theatrical experience, and Geelong Arts Centre takes great pride in helping families spark a love for the arts that introduces their little ones to a world of limitless possibilities.

Committed to making arts experiences accessible to all, the program also offers two 12 pm Relaxed Performances.

Relaxed Performances welcome audiences who would benefit from a more relaxed environment – this can include but is not limited to people with autism, sensory sensitivities, learning disabilities or dementia, as well as those living with anxiety or who have experienced trauma. More information on Relaxed Performances can be found over page.

Kicking off the program in March, celebrated music educator, presenter, author and composer/arranger Karen Kyriacou hits Geelong Arts Centre to present Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Jam for Juniors: Swan Lake.

Suited to children aged 0 - 5 years, explore, play and join in at this popular 30-minute musical workshop.

Then in April, never underestimate the determination of a child! In Slingsby’s Emil and the Detectives, based on the 1929 Novella by Erich Kastner. Young Emil catches a train to visit family in the big city and something valuable is stolen. But can this bunch of kids work together to uncover and outsmart the true criminal?

Come May, join CDP Kids for the enchanting adventure of Little and Big Nutbrown Hare as they discover the magic and colour of the seasons in a dazzling new stage adaptation of Sam McBratney’s beloved Guess How Much I Love You books.

In June, created by pioneering theatre makers Sensorium Theatre and suitable for children with a broad range of access needs, including those with multiple and complex needs and those on the autism spectrum, Whoosh! is an immersive and multi-sensory performance that puts children at the centre of the action. Kids board a stunning custom-built spaceship to work as a team and co-pilot an intergalactic adventure.

July will see young readers delight in witnessing Sheena Knowles and Rod Clements’ much-loved picture book Edward The Emu be brought to life on stage by Monkey Baa Theatre Company.

Finally, in Geelong Arts Centre’s inaugural collaboration with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, There’s A Sea In My Bedroom weaves together captivating storytelling with an exquisite score. Adapted from the picture book by Margaret Wild and illustrated by Jane Tanner, this immersive performance captures the magic of a child’s fantasy world and provides the perfect introduction to live classical music.

Geelong Arts Centre’s 2022 Family Magic program is proudly supported by principal partner, Creative Victoria, and Major Artistic Partner, Deakin University.

Capacity is strictly limited – get in quick!

For full program details and to book, visit geelongartscentre.org.au/family-magic-2022.

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Review: Mrs Koala's Beauty Parlour

Mrs Koala has a beauty parlour and lots and lots of clients ready to be beautified!

In this fabulously fun count down book (from 10 to 1), you’ll meet a cast of colourful creatures who visit Mrs Koala for a little bit of pampering.

Ten fancy frogs get facials, seven millionaire minks get manicures and (my favourite) five pot-bellied pigs get pierced. 

Author Catherine Jinks has created the coolest customers to visit Mrs Koala’s beauty parlour. From the boisterous baboons to miniature mice, the book is filled with an alliterated entourage of animals, from all walks of life.

But what would a counting picture book be without illustrations to explore? Award winning illustrator Tania McCartney brings delicious details and loads of pizzazz to every page with her stunning illustrations. She creates miniature worlds on paper, calling you to linger and explore each of the animal characters, all who have individual personalities which emerge through the care and passion McCartney injects into her work.

Mrs Koala, too, is revealed as you turn each page, not from the text, but from the quiet details of her parlour in the background. Mrs Koala is a fan of eucalyptus tea, and she generously offers this tea to her customers as part of her service. She is a lover of books, she's a fan of pink and she’s extremely hip. I adored spending a day in her beauty parlour and meeting her customers. And at the end of the day, when one kaput koala kicks back, I felt her exhaustion.

The details in this picture book truly are exquisite, and they create an immersive experience to be explored slowly and deliberately with children. The text and illustrations combine to create a magical world which is so much more than a simple counting experience. Identify the numbers, count the animals, examine the alliteration, and let your eyes feast on the stories presented through the pictures. There’s even a golden koala key to be found on every page.

Mrs Koala’s Beauty Parlour is something special. It ticks so many boxes and provides fun and funnies as it pulls readers in for an engaging story time. Teachers will adore this book for the variety it delivers. And parents, if you’re looking for a book to create magical reading experiences with your kids, to go slow and explore pages together, this is a great one to choose.

For more great picture books by Catherine Jinks, check out Barney. and for stunning illustrations (and words) from Tania McCartney, check out Plume: World Explorer, Wonderful Shoes and Alphakid: An A - Z of Antics. 

Title: Mrs Koala's Beauty Parlour
Author: Catherine Jinks
Illustrator: Tania McCartney
Publisher: Working Title Press, $19.99
Publication Date: 2 February 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781921504648
For ages: 3 - 6
Type: Picture Book

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