Announcement: Imagine The Wonder Of Picture Books Exhibition - NSW State Library

NSW State Library celebrates the changing world of picture books.

 

Some of the most beautiful picture books and original artworks in the State Library of NSW's collection will go on public display - many for the first time - in the Library's major new exhibition, Imagine ... the Wonder of Picture Books, opening Saturday 9 July. Stories and characters from much-loved Australian picture books will come to life in this celebration of children’s literature.

According to State Librarian John Vallance: 'Some of the very best books published today are for children.'

Imagine … the Wonder of Picture Books celebrates the powerful and changing world of picture books through original illustrations by 44 illustrators, video and audio content featuring established and emerging authors and illustrators talking about their work, inspirations and creative processes, as well as hands-on activities.

Review: Treehouse Tales: Too Silly To Be Told Until Now

There’s probably no need for an introduction to this outrageously successful Griffiths/Denton writer and illustrator Treehouse duo, but I’ll give you one anyway because why not. 

They’re an award-winning creative team who’ve been collaborating for YEARS and YEARS and they still like each other. In a recent podcast, Andy revealed that the pair no longer shut themselves away to work on books, however nowadays they do work online together and hang out. Which is nice to know.

Actually, if you have early school-aged children and haven’t yet been introduced to the joyful and totally bonkers world of the Treehouse series, then you’re in for a real treat. (Also, where have you been?).

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.

Guest Post: Claire Saxby on Writing Great White Shark

One of my early picture books, There Was an Old Sailor, featured a number of sea creatures from the tiny krill to the enormous blue whale. The story was based on ‘There Was An Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly’ and set in the ocean. 

I loved the nonsense and the familiar rhythm. It was a fun story to write and continues to be a favourite to share with small people. I gathered a collection of toy animals to feed into the mouth of a hungry sailor.

The second-largest of the animals swallowed by my sailor was a shark and I found a fabulous, rubbery shark that very closely resembled the great white of Cassandra Allen’s wonderful illustrations. 

Guest Post: Amanda Mandie - Part Two

Welcome to Part Two, of our inspiring interview with Amanda Mandie, Executive Director at Koala Kids Foundation.

Every single thing we do is to deliver happiness and provide happy moments for these children. If they are happy, you know the parents are happy. This happiness flows on to health care workers because their job is difficult as it is, but can be made so much easier by working with happy children.*

Guest Post: Amanda Mandie - Part One

Awarded an OAM 2021, for service to the community through charitable organisations, Amanda Mandie is the Executive Director at Koala Kids Foundation, whose mantra is we believe happy helps. 

Their Vision, that Koala Kids will touch every child and young person undergoing cancer treatment in Victoria.

Guest Post: Jeanne Chemla on Jolie Galerie

JolieGalerie is dedicated to children’s book illustrations. 

The gallery currently presents artwork from 21 Australian and French artists featuring more than 200 original illustrations, French and Australian children’s books, art brooches, ceramics and so much more. 

Special exhibitions run from time to time showcasing artwork from international and Australian artists including Phil Bunting and Gus Gordon.

Jolie Galerie also offers creative sessions during regular school terms and school Holidays. 

Winner: World: Illustrated Map

And our lucky winner is...

Hayley Juriansz VIC

Congratulations! You have won a stunning illustrated wall map of The World by Tania McCartney.

Enjoy!

Thank you to ALL who entered. Be sure to visit again next Friday for our KBR review of The World Map, by Shaye Wardrop.
 

Giveaway: World: Illustrated Map

Worried that you may have missed the boat and your chance to win one of these fantastic new illustrated wall maps by Tania McCartney? Fear not. 

KBR is here to help you travel the world with this new-release map by our very own KBR Founder, Tania McCartney! Thanks to Hardie Grant Travel, we have a very special copy of this beauty to give away.

Cover Reveal: World Map

It's not every day one gets a chance to rediscover the world. Now you can, in full glorious colour thanks to Tania McCartney's stunning new Illustrated World Map.
 
For curious adventurers who never stop exploring, this stunning, large-format map is a modern take on exploring the world, from the highest mountain to the deepest surrounding sea.

Terrific 10: Gardening

If you have kids, pretty much any time is a good time to be out in the garden. Gardens are fodder for the soul and imagination. They allow kids to explore, create, dream, wonder, and get good and dirty. Here are some all-time favourite picture books about gardening. They're all enchanting and great fun to read, and they're sure to encourage little ones to plant seeds, dig holes, or just watch things grow.

Florette, by Anna Walker, Penguin, $24.99, 9780670079414, 4+, KBR review

Creative Spaces: Tania McCartney

Tania McCartney, KBR Founder, author and re-found illustrator, takes us on mini tour of her creative space. 

Tell us about your creative space.
It's really been a work in progress. Since reigniting my love of illustration, I’ve wanted to expand my writing space to include an area for illustrating, and this brand new art table (below) has made my space complete.

I must admit, it’s hard to tear myself away from this room. It’s like a whimsical creativity pocket I can slip into and immerse in. Located at the front of our house, it’s quiet, sun-drenched and warm, with a gorgeous view of the garden. All around me are objects I love, including original artworks, limited edition prints (many from friends and members of the 52-Week Illustration Challenge) and wallpapered polaroids of my family and our travels.

All of these things inspire my work, along with select picture books and books on art and writing. Plants are also an inspiration, as is the paper mobile I made a couple of years ago now. It gently tousles when you walk by, and inspirational ideas flutter into the room.

What is the one thing you need to help you settle into creative mode?
Probably just being alone! But also silence. A nice coffee or tea. Bright, light space.

What is the one thing that obstructs all your efforts to get started? 
Calamity. Mostly in the form of too much in my head; too many extraneous commitments.

Do you have any favourite tools? 
My computer for writing (I can no longer write long-hand!) and watercolours and fine liners for illustrating.

Music? yes or no? 
No. Complete silence. Maybe a bird tweet here or there.

How long is a creative 'session' for you? 
Six months straight would be ideal! A full, unbroken day is a rarity but something I’m striving towards (three full days a week is a short term goal). At the moment, my sessions are pretty broken because I have a lot of projects on the go—I’m invariably writing, editing, researching, marketing, planning, liaising, illustrating or (gasp!) living, throughout the week. At the moment, a typical, solid bout of creative action is between two and four hours.

How do you manage interruptions? 
I’m saying yes to a lot less, planning less, and striving towards greater focus. I dream of working on one book at a time, exclusively. It’s coming!

Tania's latest book, Peas in a Pod, is out now. Learn more about her work and books at her website.

Creative Spaces: Serena Geddes

Serena Geddes, illustrator of the Lulu Bell series, has gone about her creative business in many different spaces, from Disney Animation offices to purpose-built studios in Sydney and Melbourne. She recently shared with us her most recent creative space, as well as a little about what helps channel her creative juices.


What is the one thing you need to help you settle into creative mode? 

An Irish hot chocolate.... well maybe not, though I think it would help from time to time :)

I tend to find a cosy cafe to sit when I'm reading a manuscript. It's the most settling and inspiring place for me. I draw from the surroundings and the people who don't know I am observing them.

What is the one thing that obstructs all your efforts to get started?
I won’t lie. There are often times where the resistance to put pen to paper is like two magnets repelling each other. The resistance is so strong that the anxious voice in my head reminding me that I've six days left to get this done weighs heavy on my mind.

I've learnt that trying to push through this will only create unpleasant work; everything from the stiffness of my characters to the harshness of my pencil strokes. It is evident that its time to walk away. For some time I felt guilty for 'procrastinating' for three to five days while nutting out a project but have recently seen this more as a necessity and very much a part of the process. I now explain to the procrastinator naysayers that cleaning the house or wondering around Melbourne is me piecing all my research and preparations together.

Do you have any favourite tools?
Good ol’ pencil (2B) and any kind of paper. I've worked on a brown paper bag before and illustrated over an old book. I'm playing more with gouache and watercolour and found a water brush from an art shop that means I can create anywhere.

Music? Yes or no?
Oooohhh. Sometimes, yes. I found listening to Mozart Requiem makes me work faster with passion, (good for late deadlines, ahem). If I am wanting to paint for myself, Hans Zimmer and Ludovic Eindaudi take my mind away to a place where I'll paint what ever flows. It's quite beautiful and freeing actually.

Generally, background music would be lazy afternoon acoustic tracks. As I’m working from home at the moment, listening to Ted Talks or inspirational speakers makes me feel like there's conversation happening around me.

How long is a creative 'session' for you?
It varies, if I am in flow, several hours over a few days.

How do you manage interruptions?
If I am in the flow of work I will turn my phone and my life off. I'll shut down to the world (which isn't good) but it helps me to stay focused when I'm on a deadline. I do wish they called it something else like 'wrap-up time'. We do almost kill ourselves trying to meet 'deadlines' and we sometimes forget why we are doing what we love. Speaking of which, I have a 'wrapup time' due today!

Learn more about Serena's work and books at her website.