ABA's Kids' Reading Guide

Riley and the Sleeping Dragon was recently featured in the Australian Bookseller Association's prestigious Kids' Reading Guide.

This guide is circulated around Australia amongst schools, libraries and bookstores, with highly recommended books for children.

Such an honour to be invited to join the catalogue this year.

Riley and the Dancing Lion - one week til printing!!

Can you tell I've been a leeeetle bit busy? Haven't even had time for book reviews.

Coupled with my Writer in Residence programme, my writing for Australian Women Online and various other projects, it's been tough getting Book Two sorted. Suddenly, it dawned on me a few weeks ago that Christmas is, like, next week, and more than that - the next Handmade market is on 20/21 November.

So what does this mean?

Handmade Upmarket is just the most amazing market ever. Held here in Canberra, and only a relative newcome to the, er... market market, it attracts astounding numbers. And being the 'night before Christmas' market - well, I know I can make back a decent percentage of my considerable printing costs if I can have the book ready in time.

To fill you in on the past couple of months, I've managed to find a printer. I asked for quotes from about 10 companies, Australia-wide and was really shocked at how several didn't even think it was worth offering a quote, considering I had already printed in China - and they could come nowhere near offering China's prices.

Interesting, then, that I had never expected a 'China price' - but rather an Australian price (how to lose business in one fell swoop). Turns out that the Australian price is actually not as outrageous as I feared. Sure, I'll have to jack up the retail price of the next book to cover the costs, but it's all doable.

So I'm going with Ligare Book Printing and Publishing. The lovely Debbi from Ligare has not only provided with me with a competitive quote, she has also given me superlative customer service - and that's what tipped me into the Ligare print pool.

I already had my ISBN, having bought a block of ten last year (have now used three, how exciting) and my barcode only took a couple of days to sort through Thorpe Bowker. My Cataloguing in Publication entry data was also sorted nice and quickly through the National Library, and everything is pretty much in place. Once I'm printed, I'll start listing the book with online cataloguing services like Global Books in Print.

I've begun saving completed pages to print-ready PDF file, and the printer has advised all is good via a sample file. This is a smart thing to do to save yourself the worry of redoing your files later.

FYI - if your files are too big to send by email, you can send them via a fab website that allows you to send files as large as 2G. www.yousendit.com. Brilliance.

I'm now in the process of pedantically poring over files to check for errors and to make them look beautiful. I've also put some printer's marks on the corners of the first few pages, to make the job easier (and faster) for Ligare.

Oh, and I also finished WRITING the story this morning. Yes, it's been that kind of book. Knew the ending but didn't know how to pen it until this morning. And it's beautiful. Ahhh - it feels good to trust the innate creative process.

Another thing I've been doing is beating my beautiful illustrator over the head with a very large paint brush (or should I say computer pen) to get artwork finished on time for printing. I've been absolutely HORRID about it and thank goodness this talented man has a glorious sense of humour and big heart - because his pictures are rolling in and are truly capivating.

Only 4 or 5 more to go and we're done (and he's done all the drafts of these). I hope to have the files off by Friday and printing to start next week. This means I'll have books delivered by 19 November, just in time for the Handmade Upmarket on 20 Nov. Fingers, eyes, toes, ovaries crossed.

I just have to say, may you all be so fortunate as to find an illustrator like Kieron Pratt. My Lord, it makes this whole overwhelming self-publishing journey a kajillion times easier.

So, this post is dedicated to you, Kieron. Love your work, love your cupcakes, and here's to a fantastical book launch!

More soon.

Interview: Author/Illustrator Margaret Merry

Who is this talented person? Margaret Merry

Where can you take a squiz at her stuff? www.margaretmerry.com and www.guajar.blogspot.com

What is her story? I grew up in Falmouth where, after leaving Falmouth High School, I spent a year at Falmouth School of Art. Then followed three years at Hornsey College of Art in London where I obtained a Diploma in Art and Design. I then spent a post-graduate year at the West of England College of Art in Bristol where I gained an Art Teachers Diploma and a Certificate in Education of the University of Bristol.

I lived and worked in Truro for over 30 years and became one of Cornwall’s most popular artists. My paintings have been exhibited in New York, Tokyo, Paris and London and have been bought by collectors from all over the world. I have published four books which became local bestsellers - The Natural History of a Westcountry City, Margaret Merrys Cornish Garden Sketchbook, Sea & Sail and Tidal Reaches.

In 2002, I moved to Spain and now live on a farm near the pretty village of Guajar Alto in the mountains between Granada and the coast. I now get my inspiration from the dramatic mountain scenery of Andalucia which I finds lends itself to the medium of pastel and the old towns and villages which I prefer to capture in watercolour.

The scenery around my home provides endless, beautiful subjects for landscape painting and I am prepared to offer instruction to small groups who would like to enjoy a painting holiday in the area. You can also read my accounts of village life at http://www.guajar.blogspot.com/

My original paintings of Cornwall have all been sold but many are available as limited edition prints. I have written and illustrated three children's books - The Wise Old Boar, The Lonely Digger and The Adventure of Princess The Pony - which have been published in the USA.

How long has she been writing? For as long as I can remember.

Does she remember the first story she ever wrote? I can’t remember exactly, but I expect it was about a princess. I used to write and draw stories from a very early age, and they were invariably about princesses.

What inspired her to write for young readers? Probably my art teaching experience. My lessons often were inspired by books and stories, which I would read aloud to the class while they were painting.

How did she get my first book published? I submitted my first children’s book to an agent in the United States, who then found a publisher. As well as children’s books, I have written and illustrated four books about Cornwall, where I used to live and which I published myself. They were local bestsellers. I’ve also written magazine articles about various subjects.

Why does she write? It’s a form of self expression. Also, I like telling stories, either in pictures or in words. I’ve done this all my life.

What are the greatest blocks or obstacles she has experienced on her writing journey? None, really. Writing and painting are second nature to me, and ideas and inspiration come easily. I’m a very creative person, which helps a lot.

How did the idea for her first book – The Wise Old Boar – come about? My two children’s books, which have been published simultaneously, were both inspired by the landscape and wildlife around me.

The inspiration for The Wise Old Boar came from a stuffed boar’s head which decorates the wall of one of the bars in our village. It is a fearsome creature, and would probably frighten some people were it not for the large sombrero and thick-lensed spectacles which adorn it and give it a comical appearance. The second book, The Lonely Digger, was inspired by an old, abandoned excavator in a disused quarry on our land.

[Merry’s new book – The Adventure of Princess the Pony – has only just been published.]

What does she hoping her readers will glean from her books? All my books contain an environmental message, with subtle references to such issues as climate change and endangered wildlife. I’m a keen advocate of reading aloud to children, so I hope my books will become bedtime stories which may be enjoyed by both reader and listener. The illustrations are realistic and detailed so that children may study them and perhaps make up their own stories about them.

What does she love most about writing for children? When writing for children, there is unlimited scope for the imagination.

What books did she read as a child? I remember well the Janet and John series, terribly politically incorrect by today’s standards, and I had all the Beatrix Potter books. I loved Thomas the Tank Engine - not so much the stories as the illustrations, which fascinated me.

Later, I read the fairy stories of the brothers Grimm and similar books, and became enchanted with the illustrations of Arthur Rackham and Charles Robinson. I loved Hans Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, and read it over and over again, even though I found it inexpressibly sad. I enjoyed Enid Blyton’s adventure stories and Richmal Crompton’s William series.

What are five of her favourite childrens books?
Alice in Wonderland
Peter Pan
Grimms Fairy Stories
Just William
Alice Through the Looking Glass

If she couldn’t be a writer, what would she be? A fashion designer.

What five words sum her up? Creative; inventive; optimistic; hard-working; intolerant.

What advice would she have on writing for young people? I think the most important thing is to be original and not attempt to emulate another author’s work or ideas. Don’t be a copycat! Look at the world around you, and let your imagination run riot.

What’s next? A third book, The Adventure of Princess the Pony has just been published. It was inspired by an enchanting miniature Shetland foal born locally. I’m currently working on a fourth book, The Growlers of Bear Mountain. It’s about a family of bears whose cave home and contented lives are threatened by a proposed motorway through their mountain. There are lots of caves in the mountains which surround my home, and its these which gave me the idea for the story.

Margaret's books are available online:
The Wise Old Boar
The Lonely Digger
The Adventure of Princess the Pony

You can see more of Margaret's beautiful paintings here.

Read a KBR book review of The Wise Old Boar here.

Review: The Wise Old Boar

Title: The Wise Old Boar

Author: Margaret Merry

Illustrator: Margaret Merry

Publisher: Strategic Book Publishing

Format: Paperback

Language: English

ISBN: 978 1 60693 728 0

For ages: 6+

Type: Picture Book

About: The Wise Old Boar is a peculiar animal. He perches spectacles on his nose, wears a sombrero-inspired hat and carries a fat tome of wisdom, into which he dips for advice and counsel for his myriad of animal friends.

All the animals know Bruno is an incredibly enlightened being and that his book of wisdom holds all the answers to their problems. They also know he wears his hat to keep his brains nice and cool (all the better to do thinking with) but the truth is that Bruno is really a stupid old boar - a conceited and self-important bore, whose book of wisdom is really a recipe book and whose wise counsel is really a crock pot awaiting more intellectual ingredients.

When Boris the Badger, Sylvia the Squirrel, Faldo the Fox and their friends consult Bruno for advice, the old boar consults his tome and - in a lording voice - gives each animal outrageous solutions to their problems.

Keen to make use of such wise ponderings, the animals dash out to complete their tasks, only to have appalling and embarrassing (and funny) outcomes. Nonetheless, the animals blame themselves from not following Bruno's advice to the letter and the stupid old boar continues his reign of mishapping counsel.

Will Bruno and his self-inflated ways ever be popped like the proverbial balloon? When a raging storm appears on the horizon, Bruno's fate is cast - with a fun and gently moralistic outcome.

Author/illustrator Merry has created a charming tale in the style of the great classic fables - peppered with beautiful watercolour illustrations that are clearly inspired by her life in the Spanish countryside. A native of England, the author has created a warm and visually pleasing book with an engaging narrative, despite its considerable word length.

This word length initially worried me a little, however, the storyline works very well and doesn't lose pace - something older children will enjoy and younger ones can also enjoy - perhaps in instalments. The lovely illustrations will also delight readers of all ages.

I particularly enjoyed the fact that The Wise Old Boar was not too heavy handed on the typical 'moralistic ending' which tends to patronise children. The wrap up is instead smooth and subtle and employs a gorgeously configured outcome that pleases both the reader and animal characters of this appealing book.

Read more about Merry's book at the publisher's website.
Available from Amazon for US$21.50.

Merry's other children's picture book - The Lonely Digger - is also available from Amazon. She has just released her third book - The Adventure of Princess the Pony, which is available direct from the publisher.

Read a KBR author interview here.

Review: Who Wants to be a Poodle? I Don't

Title: Who Wants to be a Poodle? I don’t.

Author: Lauren Child

Illustrator: Lauren Child

Publisher: Puffin

Format: Hardcover

Language: English

ISBN: 978 0 141 38490 0

For ages: 2+

Type: Picture Book

About: Oh – scrumptiousness. Utter deliciousness. Who Wants to be a Poodle? I Don’t, Lauren Child’s latest page-bound brilliance, combines everything I love in one tidy tome.

Pink. Posh poodles. Paris. Curly writing (this means descriptive to the point of curling your toes). Retro leanings, colours, style and tone. Stunning patterns. A multimedia blend. It has it all.

Being a children’s author myself, there’s plenty of work in the world to admire and drool over but I must admit, it takes a lot to make me decidedly green. Lauren Child has consistently done this to me and continues to do it with greater depth – after reading her very latest work, I am now a nice deep shade of jade green. I wanna be Lauren Child.

It’s also wonderful to see Child put out something new. We’re big fans of Charlie and Lola in our house but I must admit I’ve become a teensy tired of the C&L juggernaut that’s taken over the author’s books. Absolutely loving the TV series but this has spurned a spate of churn-em-out spin off books penned by scriptwriters, based on the TV series. Don’t know about you – but the lack of authenticity of these books has made me reluctant to buy them (and indeed, I’ve passed many a C&L book over for this reason).

Lovely, then, to see Child’s own, original and fabulous work in this latest offering.

Trixie Twinkle Toes Trot-a-lot Delight is a posh little poodle of privilege. She has her own maid, chef and butler to carry her over puddles. She has a doorman, a luxe apartment and an owner – Madame Brulée – who fawns over and adores her.

Madame Brulée loves nothing more than preening and perfuming her darling little dog, but Trixie Twinkle Toes wants nothing of it. She’s bored of chewing her pink velvet ribbon in her luxury apartment. She doesn’t like pink ponchos and pompoms. She doesn’t want posing and powdering.

So what does this little dog want to do? She wants to run! She wants to play! She wants to jump in puddles and get muddy. She wants the great outdoors – to play with other dogs in the park, to skip merrily through the grass. She wants to be named Growler, Gripper or Squasher, not Trixie Twinkle Dink.

One night, sick of the poodle-to-do life she’s living, Trixie howls in despair. She howls in such an un-poodle-like fashion, Madame Brulée rushes to her aid. Unable to imagine why her darling Trixie is despairing, she sends for her maid, for a vet, even a pet psychic and psychiatrist – “I want to catch sticks, roll in the mud, be dangerous and daring,” says Trixie – but, of course, the psychiatrist can’t understand a word she’s saying.

Poor Trixie. With her cosseted life, how can she ever be dangerous and daring?

This gorgeous book takes the desires and dreams of a little dog to garner the courage to be true to herself – to step outside the mould and the expectations of everyone else, to do what she loves and be who she really is.

Coupled with stunning, retro, timeless multimedia illustrations the author does so very well, this storyline is classically Child – lilting, flowery, deliciously verbose – with a rhythm that is easy to read both out loud and in-mind. The characters are heartfelt, the moral outcome is subtle and unpatronising.

Add Who Wants to be a Poodle? I Don't to your children’s collection if you love work that is clever, empowering, addictive and wraps its loving paws around you. This one’s a keeper.

Author website

This book is available online:

Booktopia AU$21.95
The Nile AU$24.49
QBD AU$24.95

Interview on The Chronicles of Sharnia

So much fun to be featured on the blog of an aspiring writer. Sharni Montgomery interviewed me for The Chronicles of Sharnia. Loving the blog name.

Click on the pic to read the full interview.

Interview on Canberra Handmade Blog

Really fun to be featured on Canberra Handmade's lovely blog... you can see the entire interview by clicking on the pic above.