Review: Little Matilda

Reviews: Maku and When Granny Came to Stay

12 Curly Questions with author Victoria Mackinlay

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I learnt how to solve a Rubik’s Cube in lockdown. It is so satisfying!

2. What is your nickname?
I’ve never had one, but my first driving licence came with a typo so I was ‘VicRoria’ until it was reprinted.

3. What is your greatest fear?
My imagination is wicked and I can conjure some pretty horrible scenarios … being trapped in a tunnel filling up with water is one of them.

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Loves to play with language and tell rich, vivid stories.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Articulate, concise, engaging, heartfelt, playful.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
Pippi Longstocking. She has unbridled positivity and a strong moral compass. She is courageous and strong enough to pick up a horse!

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I am fascinated by the Tudors and would love to sit and witness the court of Henry VIII, so I’ll say 1522 when Anne Boleyn first came onto the scene. To study the dynamic between courtiers and schemers around the fiery king and observe who triumphed and who failed and why would be fascinating.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
I wish I’d known that everything would work out better than expected and I needn’t have worried about everything.

9. Who is your greatest influence?
Roald Dahl. I loved his books and poems as a child and I fell in love all over again reading them to my daughter. He has a magical way with language and a playful, child-centric sense of humour. He is not afraid to call out bad behaviour and serve baddies with their comeuppance, which is very satisfying.

10. What/who made you start writing?
Me! I picked up a pencil when I was three years old and started copying the text on the cereal boxes at the kitchen table. I taught myself to write and was writing stories before I started school. My parents had no idea how I did it.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
I have three: nincompoop, scallywag, whippersnapper. They can all be used to describe a kid with that wonderful cheekiness and mischievousness that is unique to childhood. Bonus — the phonetic structure of each word makes them sound really funny.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That’s curly indeed! A book of poetry would be great, but I’m going to say Pride and Prejudice. It was one of my first loves, takes me back to my maternal home in the British countryside, and has a happy ending. Pure comfort reading. 

Winner of the 2020 State Library NSW Award for Emerging Children's Author, Victoria Mackinlay’s books include Ribbit Rabbit Robot, The Bark Book and The Lion Who Came to Stay. Coffee connoisseur and language lover, Victoria is a direct descendant of King George III (the one who went mad!). For more information, see www.victoriamackinlay.com.

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Winner: Little Wombat's Easter Hamper Triple Prize Pack!

Our lucky winner is...

Jody Smith, NSW

Congratulations!

You have won a copy of both of this awesome Easter triple prize pack of Little Wombat by Charles Fuge. We can't wait to hear what the Easter Bunny brings you all this year.

Thank you to ALL who entered and sharing their fondest, funniest Easter memories with us. Some of them were so very very sweet ...! 

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Review: Shakespeare for Everyone

Who was William Shakespeare and why is he famous? Shakespeare for Everyone takes us on a journey through history, to learn about the man considered the world's greatest and most influential playwright.

Beginning with an introduction to Shakespeare and his life and times, it goes on to introduce theatre in the late 1500s and early 1600s, including physical and historical information about The Globe and Burbage's Theatre which were popular at that time.

Readers will learn about Shakespeare the actor, because it is believed that he may have performed as well as written plays. The book explains how actors lived and worked, that they were known as 'players' and had to work hard to memorise their lines in a short amount of time as well as to sing and dance.

Shakespeare for Everyone summarises Shakespeare's achievements. He wrote both plays (at least 38) and poems (almost 160), and they cover multiple genres, including histories, comedies, tragedies, and romances. But just what places each of these plays in those genres? What are the common features of such plays?

You'll learn about recurring character types and other aspects of Shakespeare's plays. For example almost two-thirds of his plays feature a character designated as a 'fool', the kind who seems to get away with just about anything.

You'll also learn about popular creative devices such as the tragic hero having a flaw that plays an part in driving the plot, shortening the time frame for events, or moving back and forth between different groups of characters to connect sub plots.

Examples from Shakespeare's plays are used to explain all of these strategies and other aspects of his writing. In exploring his sonnets, it also explains what one is, and how they appear in some of his plays.

Shakespeare for Everyone also raises the controversial question of whether or not William Shakespeare was real. Three historical figures have been named as possibly being behind the work of William Shakespeare. Although nothing has ever been proven, it's a theory worth mentioning if we are to have a more rounded understanding of the man and his life and place in history.

At the conclusion of the book the legacy of William Shakespeare is discussed. He has had a significant impact on history and modern times. From countless movies and theatre productions, to words and phrases that he created becoming part of everyday English language.

Informative, accessible and entertaining, Shakespeare for Everyone is highly recommended.

Title: Shakespeare for Everyone
Author: Emma Roberts
Illustrator: Sarah Tanat Jones
Publisher: Magic Cat Publishing , $ 34.99
Publication Date: March 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN:  9781913520465
For ages: 7+
Type: Junior Non-fiction

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Review: The Bad Guys: Episode 1: Full Colour Edition

At last count there are fourteen books in the bestselling The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey.

The first in the series, The Bad Guys: Episode 1, was originally released in 2015. Now there's a brand new edition in full colour, published to celebrate the forthcoming release of The Bad Guys animated movie.

In case you haven't heard about these books, here's what you need to know about Episode 1 in a nutshell. 

Mr Wolf, who is usually portrayed as the bad guy in stories, wants to turn everything on its head and rehabilitate his reputation. 

Mr Wolf wants to be a good guy, and to do that he really needs some help, so he gathers three friends who also tend to have a bad reputation. There's Mr Snake, Mr Piranha, and Mr Shark. They're animals who want to prove a point.

Wolf convinces Snake, Piranha, and Shark that becoming good guys is simple. They just need to do some good deeds, like rescuing a cat from a tree, and setting 200 dogs free from the dog pound. How they decide to do this, and how well they do at achieving these good deeds, is what the book is about. And of course it won't be all smooth sailing for the bad guys who are trying to be better.

Presented in comic book style, with expressive character illustration and plenty of humour, The Bad Guys: Episode 1: Full Colour Edition will entertain readers young and old who are already enamoured with the series, and engage readers yet to discover it. 

The Bad Guys is a great series for reluctant readers, and for those who are just developing their independent reading skills. This colour edition is brightly appealing, and if they like this one, kids can quickly get their teeth into the following thirteen books in the series as well.

Title: The Bad Guys: Episode 1: Full Colour Edition
Author/Illustrator: Aaron Blabey
Publisher: Scholastic Australia, $ 19.99
Publication Date: March 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760662967
For ages: 5+
Type: Junior Fiction Younger

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Meet The Illustrator: Ofra Peeri

Name: Ofra PeeriDescribe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Figurative with a twist and a smile, lots of layers.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
I would say, acrylic colours, colour pencils, scissors and glue but also many other media like ink, gouache, liquid pencils. Other than that- always coffee and surrounded by art and objects I collected over the years.

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
I really love working with several layers. Usually I have an acrylic base and then work on it with colour pencils, graphite and sometimes a collage. The base layer could also be watercolour with colour pencils on top. I prefer working the traditional way- getting my hands dirty and mixing up the coffee mug with the brushes water jug. I do use the digital illustration option, not for book illustration but for more graphic works like illustration based surface pattern design.

Name three artists whose work inspires you.

First and most - my mother, who was an artist all her life. I grew up with the smell of paints and oil pastels, joining in when possible. She always searched for new ideas and broadened her boundaries and techniques. I still use some of her paints and brushes today. The 2nd I would say is Giacometti. I always loved his sculptures. His characters are so unique and recognized in a blink of an eye. The 3rd I would say is Matisse, especially his cut outs and the style of the characters.

 Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
I think meeting some of the impressionists would be an honour. I am amazed by their ability to capture the light and textures with the colour schemes and brush strokes. I can look over and over again at Monet’s water lilies.

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
I have been an exhibition designer for many years, but being an illustrator is something I always wanted to be. I always had stories drawn in my head. About 15 years ago I pursued this dream and found an amazing book illustrator and mentor Yana Buckler who introduced me to this amazing world. I learned so much from her and her guidance. Truly the best teacher I could wish for. Since then I accomplished several projects, illustrated books and participated in group exhibitions.

Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
I have my own corner with my studio table and all art materials. I collect around me all the things I like. It could be prints from illustrators I love, photography, anything I picked outside during a stroll, and illustrated books I collected over the years.

 

What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
If the project is a book then my favourite parts are researching the periodic elements, the environment in which the story takes place, researching the characters of the book and how they relate to each other. Of course I love to do the final illustration with all the fine tuning.
With stand alone illustration, I really love the process of capturing the essence of the theme- be it an animal, an object or a human character- it’s a process of getting from the realistic stage to almost an abstract point that represents the theme.

  
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?

I would say, don’t let anyone tame you! Follow your inner voice. Keep your creativity flowing whatever works for you- read, listen to music, go to museums or go hiking. Be persistence in your art. Finding your unique style doesn’t necessarily mean staying with the same technique or themes. I think it is very important to try many different media, in the end everything you try influences, one way or the other, everything else you’ll do next.

Ofra Peeri was born and raised in Israel. She studied Industrial design and worked for many years as an exhibition designer. She also studied illustration for many years and in recent years it became her true passion. Ofra usually works traditionally using different techniques and media like ink, charcoal, colour pencils, watercolour, acrylic and collage.

Ofra lives and works in the UK with her husband and 2 grown up daughters. All of that combined makes life just perfect for her.

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Review: You Can Live On The Bright Side

12 Curly Questions with author Jeanette Stampone

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
When I was 18, I undertook a solo parachute jump to raise money for cancer research. I was given a walkie-talkie so the instructors could communicate with me during the jump and help guide me down. Soon after leaping from the plane, I realised the walkie-talkie had malfunctioned. I began to drift dangerously close to the next field where several massive satellite dishes were located. The instructors were shouting from the ground, but of course, I heard nothing and was on my own. Thankfully, I managed to get the parachute under control and headed back in the right direction. But without the instructor’s guidance, I landed cross-wind, resulting in a rather hard thud and a sore bottom! A very memorable experience which, surprisingly, I loved!

2. What is your nickname?
I am known as Netty by my close friends and family. Sometimes Netty Spaghetti!

3. What is your greatest fear?
I am scared of old buildings and ghosts. I think it’s because I grew up in a spooky 300-year-old house. I often heard strange noises such as tapping on our old typewriter, footsteps and creaking floorboards. Maybe my older siblings were just trying to frighten me. Well, if they were, it worked!

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Mishmash of funny, serious or quirky (depending on my mood).

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Imaginative, determined, thoughtful, honest, adaptable.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
I would be Lucy from The Chronicles of Narnia. I would love to walk through a wardrobe and enter an entirely different world full of magic and mystery.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I’d go back to 1990 (when I started high school) to tell myself all the crazy, wonderful, exciting, scary things happening in 2022 — just to see the look on my face! Then I would use some kind of memory zapper to make sure past-me doesn’t remember meeting present-me because meeting yourself during time travel is bad. Well, according to all the movies and books it is. So, it must be true.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
Ah, so you’re still making up stories about unicorns and fairies? That’s cool. You’re living in Australia? Wow! What happens in Neighbours?

9. Who is your greatest influence?
My two boys constantly influence my writing. Their silliness, games and imagination are a great source of inspiration. Even their fears make me stop and think. My new book, Shadow and the Girl, was actually influenced by my eldest when he was about four years old. He was scared of shadows and reflections, which made me wonder — what would happen if a shadow was scared of their child? So yes, my boys are definitely my greatest influence.

10. What/who made you start writing?
In an indirect way, my mother and children made me start writing. Mum had a passion for books and reading. She also loved to write her own stories and poems. Her passion for literature definitely rubbed off on me and I enjoyed creating stories from a young age. When I had my own children, I rediscovered the joy of children’s books. That’s when I really began to take my writing seriously.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
Home. It’s a little word with huge meaning. I am originally from the UK and now living in Western Australia. Both places are home to me. For me, home is not just about where you live, but that feeling of being loved and truly belonging.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A few years ago, I sent my mum a book containing questions about her life and experiences. The idea was for her to answer the questions and return it to me, which she did. I now have that beautiful book in my mother’s handwriting, detailing her life in her own words. I can hear her voice in my head as I read it. My mum has since passed away, but I have this little piece of her. I will treasure it forever.

Jeanette Stampone was born in an old English house and grew up with stories of local legends, pixies, ghosts and fairies. She now lives in a small country town in WA with her husband and children.
Jeanette’s debut picture book, Shadow and the Girl, is published by Red Paper Kite. For more information, see www.jeanettestampone.com

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Guest Post: Cherie Bell on Gifting Books To Children

Review: Talking History

Talking History is about 16 memorable speeches from the last 150 years, and the people who made them.

It covers a range of social, political and human rights issues, and milestone moments in history, championed by people who have lived experience or were able to make the most of an opportunity to have their voices heard.

The speeches, which are both historical and modern, include Nelson Mandela's 'Statement from the Dock' in 1964, Emmeline Pankhurst's 'Freedom or Death' speech in 1913, and Malala Yousafzai's 2013 'Address to the United Nations Youth Assembly'.

There are also speeches about Aboriginal rights, world health, war, equal opportunity for people living with disabilities, and more.

The 16 speeches in Talking History were chosen by authors Joan Haig and Joan Lennon because they help us to see the world in ways we might not have done before, and to see how words can be used persuasively. These speeches can be doorways to learning about important subjects and historical events.

Talking History is presented in a magazine or comic-style format, with both prose text, and speech illustrations (some with speech bubbles), to help illuminate events. The artwork is stylised which has an effect of transporting you to the time and events depicted.

Context, both historical and topical, is provided through facts and figures, and significant dates and events from before and after the speech, to help understand its significance. There is also key biographical information about the person who made the speech.

The complete speeches are not included in this book. However, a key extract from each is highlighted. This is a good tool as it might encourage readers to explore further afield to find and read the entire speech of someone or something they are particularly interested in.

Talking History is a fantastic, accessible book which can be an inspiration, a prompt for exploration, or simply a reminder of where we've come from and where we want to be as a society.

Title: Talking History
Author: Joan Haig and Joan Lennon
Illustrator: Andre Ducci
Publisher: Templar Books , $ 29.99
Publication Date: February 2022
Format: Hardcvoer
ISBN: 9781787417328
For ages: 8+
Type: Junior Non-fiction

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Giveaway: Little Wombat's Easter Hamper Triple Prize Pack!

Review: That Cat

That cat. Everyone knows THAT cat. 

The special cat. Your bestie cat. Your fluffy ball of sunshine.

But what about all the other cats?

Across the world, there are so many different and interesting cats.

Like chat cat…

and bat cat….

and fat cat…

and drat cat.

All the cats come together in this glorious celebration of all things kittycat.

With simple rhyming text and explosively entertaining illustrations, this is a book for laughs, giggles and smiles. Its just good picture book fun.

I love the story behind this book, too. The text comes from every Aussie kid’s favourite author, Jacqueline Harvey — author of our beloved Alice-Miranda series.

You may have heard the story that the inspiration for Alice-Miranda came from three girls Harvey taught when she was a teacher. But what you maybe don’t know is that the illustrator of this book, Kate Isobel Scott, was one of those girls nearly 30 years ago.

Kate’s illustrations are simply superb. On each page, for each featured cat, she creates a mini world and story of its own that bring to life all the cats in some super hilarious and engaging ways. The details are glorious and add bucketloads of entertainment to the quirky story.

Cats are the best, and this is a book for every kid (and adult) who loves them.

And after meeting all the different cats across the world, you can snuggle up with THAT cat — YOUR cat — and truly appreciate who is the best cat of all.

Title: That Cat
Author: Jacqueline Harvey
Illustrator: Kate Isobel Scott
Publisher: Puffin, $19.99
Publication Date: 1 March 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781761040702
For ages:  3 - 6 
Type: Picture Book

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Review: Katipo Joe: Spycraft

Review: This Is My Dad

12 Curly Questions with author Elyse Shelley

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I have OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), which leads me to do certain things in groups of five. For example, if I say 'knock on wood', I’ll knock five times. Because it’s quite subtle, people outside my immediate family don’t usually notice.

2. What is your nickname?
I have LOTS of nicknames — all from my family and none have anything to do with my actual name. Chu, Bucket and Bucky are probably the most common though.

3. What is your greatest fear?
I’m terrified of small animals that jump — more specifically frogs and crickets!

4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Rhythmic, evocative, heartfelt, inclusive, metaphorical, lyrical, earnest, poetic, encouraging, uplifting.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Passionate, optimistic, reflective, genuine, persistent.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
I would be Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series. She’s a bit of a know-it-all and might be seen as overly ambitious, but is extremely loyal to her friends and family. She goes out of her way to help others.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
That’s a really tricky one! Maybe 1969 so I could go to Woodstock and watch Jimi Hendrix play live? The only reason I would want to time travel would be to watch amazing live music really.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
"You did it! You wrote a book!" And then I would probably do some really dorky 10-year-old happy dance.

9. Who is your greatest influence?
Authors like Anna Walker, Aaron Blabey, Julia Donaldson and Nick Bland.

10. What/who made you start writing?
When I was really little, my dad would make up stories for me at bedtime and always had me hooked. At school, reading gave me a huge imagination to the point that I would have vivid dreams that elaborated on what I had read. Those dreams at the age of about eight made me start writing.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
Empathy, because it reminds me that everyone has a story to tell and urges me to put myself in the shoes of others.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, because I love how delicately it is written from the perspective of an entity we would usually pigeon-hole as being quite morbid but is actually just a being doing his job and marveling at humanity as he does it. Markus Zusak’s writing is masterful.

 Elyse Shellie is a primary school teacher and author with a passion for reading and writing children’s books that warm the heart and nourish the soul. Her debut picture book, The Little Book of Hopes (illustrated by Evie Barrow), was inspired by the hopes she has for her son. For more information, see www.newfrontier.com.au.

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Winner: Picture Book Prize Pack: Piano Fingers & Arabella's Alphabet Adventure

Our lucky winner is...

Justine C, QLD

Congratulations!

You have won a copy of both of these magical new picture book releases,  Piano Fingers by Caroline Magerl and Arabella's Alphabet Adventure by Suzy Zail and Christopher Nielsen.

Thank you to ALL who entered. 

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Video: Axel Scheffler: The Evolution of Gruffalo

The Gruffalo has become a modern day classic picture book, much loved by children around the world. Julia Donaldson created the text, but how did the the Gruffalo become more than words? 

Axel Scheffler has illustrated over 100 books, and amongst them are The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child. In this video, Axel explains how the Gruffalo took shape and evolved from a rather scary-looking creature into the gentle giant we know today.

Title: The Gruffalo
Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Pan Macmillan, $ 14.99
Publication Date: 2016
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781509804757
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book

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Review: The Owl Who Got Left behind

Nobody likes to be left behind. 

And nobody wants to be left out of the famous tales of the friends who left you behind. 

What a raw deal.

You’d think this couldn't possibly happen to someone. It’s just too awful.

But it did!

See you may know the story of the owl and the pussycat who left together on a pea green boat. But this story is not about that owl. 

This story is about the other owl. The owl who was left behind.

On the shore. Sad and alone. Left with no one. Until a rhino happens by.

Poor Owl is too sad to be friends with Rhino. And in his opinion, Rhino just doesn’t understand. So, Owl goes about his business being sad and plotting how he might get back at his meanie friends.

But in the process, Owl fails to see the opportunities that have presented themselves since he was left behind. So consuming is his stewing, he doesn’t realise what’s standing right in front of him. Can Owl wake up and see the truth?

The Owl Who Got Left Behind is a giggle-inducing picture book with strong Jon Klassen vibes. It’s got that dark comedy tone that never fails to delight as the reader very clearly sees what the main character just cannot seem to grasp.

With beautiful illustrations in gorgeous dark glue and grey tones (with a pop of red), the story comes to life. I love the use of different perspectives and changing distances to convey emotion and meaning. I love Owl’s red scarf that tells its own story through the book, and I love the journey of the glorious glowing moon across the pages. There is lots to explore in these illustrations.

This is a picture book with a longer word count, so I also think junior readers might like to tackle it alone. But it is also perfection to devour together with a kid (or two) — to read a page and chat about poor Owl and what he might be thinking.

I adore new takes on old stories, and this one is a hoot (pun intended!).

Title: The Owl Who Got Left Behind
Author: Martine Murray
Illustrator: Anna Read
Publisher: Parachute Press, $29.95
Publication Date: March 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780645039511
For ages: 3 - 8
Type: Picture Book

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Review: We Are Australians

Meet The Illustrator: Dave Petzold

Name: Dave Petzold

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
A smudgy jumble of collaged shapes and lines

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
Graphite pencils, music, lightbox, scanner, Photoshop, Plants, water, ink, brushes and rollers, Wacom tablet, charcoal and random beach finds (mostly pebbles and feathers).

Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
8B pencil is my favourite, mostly for doing line work and initial sketching. I love the variety of mark making that it offers, depending on how you use it. Line work is such an integral part of my style that it’s important that I can put a lot of expression into it. I’ve tried a few different brands of 8B and the only one I like is Mars Lumograph Black. I also love using ink and rollers to make textures and oil paint in its various forms. I learnt an amazing oil paint and pastel transfer technique from Jesus Cisneros, during a workshop a couple of years ago, the results can be so random and textured, I love it. 

Name three artists whose work inspires you.
Oh, there’s so many but the three artists that I looked up to when I first started (and I still do) are Beatrice Alemagna, Jesus Cisneros and Joohee Yoon.

Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
I like the Dada movement, the Surrealists, Expressionism and Cubism. If I had to choose one I’d like to visit Europe during the Surrealist movement.

Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
My grandparents had a huge influence on me when I was young. My grandpa was an engineer and an artist who worked with leather and wood and occasionally dabbled in opal polishing, diamond faceting and taxidermy. My grandma loved gardening and grew fruit trees, cooked amazing German food and often talked to Cocky, her rose-breasted galah. Their home in Adelaide was filled with heirlooms and trinkets that had travelled with them when they emigrated from Munich in the late ‘50s and as a boy, I loved spending time in that wonderfully strange and eclectic world.

 
I remember a cuckoo clock hanging in the hall and an unfinished wooden carving of a Clydesdale rearing up on its hind legs. My favourite place was the garage. I’d squeeze past the old Holden and plonk myself down at grandpa’s drafting table. The small studio invited imagination with its juxtaposition of weird objects. On the back wall, hanging above an assortment of formaldehyde insects was a red taxidermy crab with one huge claw and in a corner sat a piano accordion and an opal polishing wheel.

 
But I think the biggest influence was seeing my grandpa’s drawings for his leatherwork. I’d look through his bird books and find sketches tucked away in the pages and I can still feel that excitement of finding a little scrap of paper with his scribbled notes. I don’t think they realised it but this is where the seeds of my imagination were planted. Through them I gained a love of making things, exploring and above all, being curious.

Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
I have two work spaces, one for painting and the other for scanning and compiling the artwork. They are in the same room but separate from each other as the painting desk gets very grubby so I try to keep all that good, messy stuff away from the computer. I have lots of inspiration on the walls, as well as rough workings and ideas. Lots of plants, too.

 
What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
Oh, that’s a tough one. I think the initial stages when I’m messing around with charcoal or ink, trying to work out what the illustration will be. A lot of my illustrations, particularly characters, come from exploration and I’m often guided by the medium, letting charcoal smudge or oil paint splodge in a certain way - not trying to control things too much. Some interesting things usually come from that. I also love working solely with graphite pencil, creating the line work, as I mentioned earlier. There’s something simple and immediate about just picking up a pencil and drawing.

What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Yeah, it can be pretty tough and overwhelming when you’re starting out. I would say one of the most important things is get an online presence of some kind, whether it’s a website or an instagram page, where you can show your work. Also, search out conferences, make connections, talk to people and ask lots of questions.

 
Speaking of work, one of best pieces of advice I ever read was from Rebecca Green. I think she has a blog post about this, but essentially you create a list of dream projects that you’d like to be working on, if you were a full-time illustrator. The idea is to put all the dream projects into a jar and to pull one out each day or week - whatever suits - and work on it. At the end of a few months you’ll have a bunch of work that you can showcase on your website or social media. If you’re a bit light on for work this can really help you bolster your portfolio. Another great thing that comes from doing this practice is that it helps you to hone your drawing skills and become more comfortable with your style.

Dave Petzold is an illustrator and author living on Bundjalung Country in Lennox Head, New South Wales. His debut picture book, Seven Seas of Fleas (Starfish Bay Publishing) was CBCA Shortlisted for the New Illustrator Award in 2021.

For more information, please visit Dave's website or follow him on instagram.

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Review: Frank and Bert

NEW AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN’S LAUREATE ANNOUNCED

The Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation(ACLF) is delighted to announce Gabrielle Wang as the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2022-23. A talented artist and gifted writer of over 20 acclaimed books, Gabrielle Wang is the seventh Australian Children’s Laureate, since the program began in Australia in 2008.

An event to honour Gabrielle’s appointment as the new Laureate will be held at the State Library in Melbourne on Tuesday 8 March at 11am.

Gabrielle Wang: “When I was young my father used to say, ‘What can you learn from a story? They’re just made up.’ I didn’t say anything, but I knew he was wrong. Stories have the power to change us on the inside.

As Australian Children’s Laureate I will be encouraging young people to use their imagination by reading, writing and drawing. Nourish your imagination and a garden of delight will grow.”

The Laureate is the national ambassador for reading and Australian children’s literature. They speak on behalf of all creators and for the entire industry representing reading advocates, educators, librarians, booksellers and publishers. Appointed every two years to promote the importance and transformational power of reading, creativity and story in the lives of young Australians, the Children’s Laureate spends extensive time speaking directly with children, education specialists, government ministers and librarians, in both metropolitan and regional communities across the country.

Every Laureate has a theme for their two-year term: for Gabrielle’s it is Imagine A Story. Through this she will explore four main issues: Imagination, Cultural Diversity, Visual Literacy, and Audiobooks and Reading Aloud.

She says, “Through story we can be inside the head of someone else, even someone with a different culture or way of life to our own. By reading books about diverse characters by diverse authors, young people can not only gain knowledge but also learn tolerance and empathy.”

Gabrielle Wang is an award-winning author, illustrator and artist who lives in Melbourne. Her Chinese heritage has always featured in her work and in her first novel (The Garden of Empress Cassia), published in 2002, the protagonist faces the same problems that Gabrielle herself experienced growing up as a Chinese Australian. Her numerous books all contain elements of Chinese culture, philosophy and mythology and include a picture book and novels for children and young adults. Her work has received many awards and accolades including multiple Aurealis Awards and CBCA Notable Book commendations.

Now known as the ACLF, the not-for-profit organisation was founded in 2008 and launched the first Laureateship in 2012. This important role has been held by Australian children’s literature powerhouses including Alison Lester, Boori Monty Pryor, Jackie French, Leigh Hobbs, Morris Gleitzman and most recently Ursula Dubosarsky.

Children's Laureates are now active in Italy, Finland, The Netherlands, Ireland, Mexico, Sweden and Wales. There are Reading Ambassadors in New Zealand and the United States.

Chair of the ACLF, Bruce Ellis, said, “The Board of the ACLF is thrilled that Gabrielle Wang has been appointed the 2022–2023 Australian Children’s Laureate. As an author and illustrator of Chinese-Australian heritage, Gabrielle is bringing a fresh and exciting approach to the role. From our first conversation I have been impressed by Gabrielle’s commitment to encouraging children to use their imagination in all different ways – drawing, writing and reading. I can’t wait to see how she enriches the lives of young Australians through the power of story.”

To find out more visit www.childrenslaureate.org.au.

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Review: Backyard Beasties

Review: Ella and Olivia: Fun Friendship Tales / Ella and Olivia: Sisters' Day Out Stories

Sisters Ella and Olivia star in these two story collections, which are being promoted as treasuries.

There's Ella and Olivia: Fun Friendship Tales, and Ella and Olivia: Sisters' Day Out Stories.

The adventures are great for developing and newly independent readers, with short stories, large print text, and lots of full-colour illustrations.

The stories feature subjects that will be familiar or relatable for young readers, and the main characters are a similar age to the children who will likely be reading about them. 

The sisters learn about responsibility and friendship, and the world around them.

A fishing excursion, party, cooking, and treasure hunt are just some of the activities the girls get to experience. They also find a lost rabbit, learn trampolining and bush dancing! 

The Ella and Olivia series is created by author Yvette Poshoglian and illustrator Danielle McDonald. There are six stories in each of these treasury collections, and each one works as a stand-alone chapter.

A third treasury collection of Ella and Olivia stories is also available, and was shortlisted for the 2018 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards. Plus there are around thirty other books about the two sisters.

If you have a new reader in the family, or one who is developing their confidence in reading more text, these might be just what you need.

Title: Ella and Olivia: Fun Friendship Tales / Sisters' Day Out Stories
Author: Yvette Poshoglian
Illustrator: Danielle McDonald
Publisher: Scholastic Australia, $ 17.99
Publication Date: 2018 / 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760660833 / 9781743817735
For ages:  5-7 year olds
Type: Junior Fiction Younger

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Giveaway: Picture Book Prize Pack: Piano Fingers & Arabella's Alphabet Adventure

Review: The Dunggiirr Brothers And The Caring Song Of The Whale

Guest Post: Q & A with Anne and Louise Jordan - Sunny The Sideloader

Review: Shadow and the Girl

Emotions are big, strong things.They can overpower us, pull us into unfamiliar places, fill out minds and hearts and bodies.

Shadow is playing in her own little world when the Girl comes. Girl is angry. She yells and chases, so Shadow runs, afraid of what it means.

But the Girl follows, and there seems to be no escape.

Until… Shadow sees she has more in common with the Girl then she thought. They move the same way, they like the same games and the fear inside both of them soon fades.

They forge a new relationship — Shadow and the Girl — and become something… new. Together.

Shadow and the Girl is a brilliant picture book about the world through the eyes of a child. It’s about emotion and feelings and exploring these things. It’s about discovery and learning and journeying in the way kids understand way more than adults.

I adore this picture book for its rich quirkiness that sets it apart from other picture books about emotion. This is not a story that hits you over the head with meaning. It’s a story to explore and ponder over, chat about with kids and uncover your own truth and meaning as you do. Jeanette Stampone has created a thoughtful, interesting, unique and complex story with this picture book. One that provides lots of different avenues for interpretation. 

Demelsa Haughton’s illustrations are simply stunning. With gorgeous green, blue and aqua hues, the pages are dreamy and filled with secrets. The endpapers provide a beautiful sneak peek at some of the illustrations in progress, which I love exploring, and in Red Paper Kite style, there are copies of some of the illustrations at the end of the book for kids to colour in themselves. A delightful addition in all Red Paper Kite books to inspire and encourage creativity in kids. Love!

Shadow and the Girl is an imaginative and fantastical story that whisps it’s way into your heart and mind. It’s perfect for classroom discussions about emotions and perspective, and equally perfect for a special night-time read snuggled tight under the covers.

Title: Shadow and the Girl
Author: Jeanette Stampone
Illustrator: Demelsa Haughton
Publisher: Red paper Kite, $26.99
Publication Date: March 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 978 0 6486 74221
For ages: 3 - 8
Type: Picture Book

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Review: When You're Older

Baby brothers are so cute and squishy, but they aren’t so great at playing pirates and helping build sandcastles.

Though maybe… one day… when baby brothers are older, they’ll be everything older brothers want them to be. 

When You’re Older is a lovely look at sibling relationships from the very start. That moment when baby arrives but they're not yet ready for play, or much else other than sleeping and eating. 

It’s a hard time for older siblings who crave fun, adventure and playtime. But older siblings must learn to be patient, and while they wait… they can imagine…

When you’re older, we’ll ride together on our bikes through the jungle.

We’ll see snakes on the branches of trees.

We’ll hide in a cave hung with vines. Bats will send us messages.

Judy Watson’s gorgeous illustrations combine beautifully with Sofie Laguna’s evocative language to take readers on a rich journey into the imagination of a small boy.

Her artwork is filled with textures and quirks. Vibrant colours, stunning patterns and hidden details to uncover — these pages are just so, so beautiful. I found myself turning pages very slowly with this book, savouring the colours and movement on each spread.

This is a book for the older siblings who maybe have a baby on the way or have just come face to face with the reality of a new born at home. Fear not young adventurer, your little brother or sister will grow, and they will be there to fight the pirates and sail the seas with you soon.

A beautiful look at family, imagination and yearning for the future, delivered by two highly acclaimed and award winning creators, When You’re Older makes a stunning addition to your picture book library.

Title: When You're Older
Author: Sofie Laguna
Illustrator: Judy Watson
Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $24.99
Publication Date: March 2022
Format: Hardcover
ISBN:9781760291341
For ages: 3 - 8
Type: Picture Book

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