Announcing... This is Banjo Paterson!

Tomorrow, I'm officially in holiday mode, but before I go, I'm thrilled to share with you my newest books--both will be released in February 2017 (National Library Publishing).

This is Banjo Paterson is the follow-up book to This is Captain Cook, and once again features gorgeous illustrations by my dear friend Christina Booth. I'm so excited about this book--an historical picture book for very young children. There'll be a launch here in Canberra on 12 February at the National Library, so keep an eye on my events page for that.

Learn more about the book by clicking on its cover, and if you want to get in early, you can order a copy of the book right here.

Also publishing 1 February is Australian Story: An Illustrated Timeline--a revised edition which includes 2016. This book has become a resource for primary school teachers, so it's wonderful to see the book republished, and with a shiny yellow cover, too.

Learn more by clicking on the cover, and you can order a copy here.

In more exciting news, This is Captain Cook has been shortlisted in the ACT Writing and Publishing Awards! The announcement is tonight at the ACT Writers Centre Christmas Party. Shortlisted with amazing friends and colleagues Stephanie Owen Reeder and Jackie French, I'll be drinking bubbles, whatever happens!

Here's to ending the year bookishly.

Australia Illustrated Reviews

It's a nervy thing when you launch into a new arena (illustration), especially after decades of neglect! So it's been with great relief that Australia Illustrated is doing so well and that I may not have to put my paintbrush down just yet.

Below are some of the reviews that have been coming in so far. Thank you, everyone, for your kindness!

4 December 2016
Australia Illustrated Review in the Sunday (Funday) Telegraph (above)

2 December 2016
Australia Illustrated Review on The Book Chook

1 December 2016
Australia Illustrated review on The Good Books Blog

November 2016
Australia Illustrated review in School Days Magazine

November 2016
A Pinerolo endorsement of Australia Illustrated 

19 November 2016
Australia Illustrated in the Mummah Christmas Gift Guide

15 November 2016
Review of Australia Illustrated on Unity Words

5 November 2016
Australia Illustrated Review on Just So Stories

2 November
Australia Illustrated with Megan Daley on 612 ABC Brisbane Bookworms

2 November 2016
Canberra Times/Sydney Morning Herald interview--Australia Illustrated

1 November 2016
Australia Illustrated and Author Interview on Franki Hobson

31 October 2016
Australia Illustrated Review in New Idea

31 October 2016
Australia Illustrated Review in Reading's November catalogue

30 October 2016
Review of Australia Illustrated by author/illustrator Christina Booth

26 October 2015
Writing and Illustrating a Picture Book, Australia Illustrated, on DeeScribe

26 October 2016
Author Interview for Australia Illustrated on Pass it On blog

25 October 2016
Writing Non-Fiction Picture Books, Australia Illustrated, on Jen Storer's Girl and Duck

25 October 2016
Creating a Picture Book, Australia Illustrated, on Soup Blog

24 October 2016
Writing and Illustrating Books, Australia Illustrated, interview on Writing Classes for Kids

24 October 2016
Review of Australia Illustrated in Readings' November Catalogue

24 October 2016
In conversation interview on Australia Illustrated with Dimity Powell on Boomerang Books Blog

21 October 2016
Interview with author/illustrator Nicky Johnston for Australia Illustrated 

19 October 2016
Author Interview for Australia Illustrated on Creative Kids' Tales

October 2016
Australia Illustrated review on My Book Corner

October 2016
The Creation of a Picture Book, Australia Illustrated, on My Book Corner

8 October 2016
Review of Australia Illustrated on The Bottom Shelf

 

Christmas Book Reading at Dymocks

Australia Illustrated in Dymocks and Harry Hartog Christmas Catalogues

Oh such a lovely, lovely thing to see your book cover peeking from the pages of a Christmas catalogue.

Huge thanks to and Dymocks and Harry Hartog.

Thanks to David Jones, too, who are stocking the book!

click to see the entire kids' catalogue at Dymocks

click to see the entire Christmas catalogue at Harry Hartog

spotted at DJs

Challenge Art Auction!

After some luscious, original art or limited-edition prints for a truly unique Christmas gift? Over at the 52-Week Illustration Challenge, we are running our Christmas Art Auction with artworks from some of our fabulous illustrators.

Just head here and click on each album to see the artworks and instructions.

Bidding starts tomorrow!

Tuesday 22 November 8pm

to

Friday 25 November 8pm

Here is just some of the art to whet your appetite...

Penelopes Nest

Tania McCartney

Sarah Epstein

Nicky Johnston

Penny Fisher

One Word Wisdom with author/illustrator Aura Parker

1. What is the best thing about being an author? Words

2. What�s the worst thing? Doubt

3. How did creating your picture book Twig make you feel? Frenzied

4. What do you hope it brings its readers? Courageandjoy

5. What else do you like to do? Textiles

6. Who has influenced your writing the most? Marena Von Behr

7. What has been your biggest career reward? Response

8. What is the most important contribution an author/illustrator can make to the world? Beauty

9. What�s your biggest writing goal? Morebooksmorebeautifulness

10. What�s next? Anexhibitionandabigliedown

As an illustrator, designer and writer, Aura Parker creates bodies of work, including textile designs, prints and picture books. She is the co-founder of boutique Australian art and textiles label Studio Bonnie.

Aura's divine debut book, Twig, is out now! 
Learn more at her website.

Children's Book Creator Masterclass

If you are in Canberra, I hope you can come along to my Children's Book Creator Masterclass. It's going to be a super fun event--details below.

ACT Writers Centre

Saturday 19 November 2016

3 - 6pm

ACT Writers Centre, Canberra

Join author, illustrator and editor, Tania McCartney, for this exclusive 3-hour event for serious creators�an in-conversation workshop with content decided by you! Enjoy 2.5 hours of intensive conversation followed by a 30-min drinks and nibbles networking session with other creators (with an option to stay longer). All participants receive a copy of Tania's Fantastical Flying Creator PDF Workshop, valued at $99.

Click here for more info... bookings will be limited!