Event: Midnight Madcaps, The National Centre for Australian Children's Literature

On Wednesday, I had the great joy of attending Midnight Madcaps - an evening with author Margaret Wild and illustrator Ann James - both legendary creators in the Australian kidlit scene. This event, hosted by the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature (NCACL), celebrated the centre's acquisition and exhibition of original artworks and documents relating to celebrated picture book, The Midnight Gang (Omnibus, 1996).

Reading Pictures, Drawing Words: A Database of Picture Books for Older Readers

The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature (NCACL) has launched a new database that will bring substantial opportunity for indulgence by older readers of picture books. The contribution of extensive knowledge from a vast range of children’s literature experts are the foundations and building blocks in the development of this database.

The aim of PBOR (Picture Books for Older Readers) is to reach a broad audience. It will benefit and encourage reluctant readers, those with visual rather than textual comprehension, those who prefer image analysis and varied literature style, or those who simply enjoy the beauty of picture books.

Along with design and layout, the above elements play a huge part in understanding and analysing the visual narrative of picture books. Able to address more sensitive topics appropriate to older readers, PBOR embraces non-traditional plot structure, welcoming the challenge and options of literary devices aimed at these age groups.

Not only for children, this database opens up new areas of exploration for people who adore picture books of all kinds, who read them to find the sometimes-hidden or disguised meanings in both image and text, or a combination of the two.

PBOR is easy to navigate, with its drop-down choices and search function. There is also a Guide to using the PBOR database, with free on-line resources available. On exploration, I found it easy to navigate through the subject headings, annotations and curriculum links that line up from grade 5 through to secondary school (Australian Curriculum Version 9).

PBOR is still in its early stages, so content will expand as books are added. Nevertheless, the database promises to prove a useful tool for reading and learning about picture books in schools.

The PBOR database can be accessed at https://www.ncacl.org.au/pbor-database. For further information email ncacl@canberra.edu.au

Guest Post: Belle Alderman on the NCACL Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Resource

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At KBR today we are pleased to introduce Belle Alderman, Emeritus Professor of Children's Literature and Director of the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature Inc (NCACL) in Canberra to tell us more about the recently launched Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Resource. 

Ms Alderman has been involved with the NCACL since its establishment in 1974 by Lu Rees who envisioned it as a national collection. Today the NCACL has 46,000 books, authors’ papers, illustrators’ artworks and more. The collection is valued at $10 million dollars. The Centre collects, preserves, documents, shares and inspires all ages to engage with their cultural heritage.

Story Time : Australian Children's Literature Exhibition

by KBR Founder, Tania McCartney

On 21 August, I was fortunate to attend the Story Time: Australian Children's Literature Exhibition opening was held at the National Library of Australia. What a breathtaking event. The exhibition is so exquisite and so comprehensive, it's hard to give a full outline, so here is a peek at the event and the treasures held in the exhibit.

Needless to say, from the very first children's book printed in Australia (A Mother's Offering to Her Children) to  Chinese versions of the 13-Storey Treehouse, this is pure children's literature heaven.

Created in partnership by the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature (NCACL) and the National Library of Australia, and curated by Grace Blakeley-Carroll, this is truly something you cannot miss.

Let's open the front cover!

10 Reasons to Visit Story Time: Australian Children's Literature Exhibition - with Dr Belle Alderman AM

Design adapted from: Koala Shape Book, (Sydney: John Sands Ltd., 1931) nla.cat-vn4272738

KBR warmly welcomes Dr Belle Alderman AM, Director of the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature with this guest post on the incredibly wonderful upcoming children's literature exhibition at the National Library of Australia. Here are 10 reasons why you simply cannot miss this stunning, extensive (free!) exhibition. For more on the exhibition and how to plan your visit, see here.

The National Library of Australia and the National Centre for Australia Inc have collaborated to bring you Story Time: Australian Children’s Literature at the National Library from 22 August 2019 - 9 February 2020. Here is your unique opportunity to enjoy almost 200 years of stories for children and the young at heart. Story Time: Australian Children’s Literature  offers many associated programs for adults all described on the National Library of Australia and the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature Inc websites. 

1.What are two very rare items?
A Mother’s Offering to Her Children published in 1841, featuring a child’s name neatly handwritten and coloured in opposite the title page, also coloured in!

Event: Sharing Stories

Sharing Stories was a wonderful initiative of The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature (NCACL) to celebrate UNESCO’s International Year of Translations.

It brought together 191 children’s books in over 50 languages from 61 member countries of the International Board on Books for Young people (IBBY), as well as IBBY Australia’s 48 Honour Books.

The opening event was held at Woden Library in Canberra on 8 October, surrounded by a stunning display of children’s books translated from counties all over the world.

Emeritus Professor Belle Alderman AM, Director, National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature, commenced proceedings, and ACT Minister for  Multicultural Affairs, Chris Steel, welcomed guests and reminisced about his own memories of this very library as a child.

Sharing Stories - A Celebration of Translation in Children's Literature

The National Centre for Australian Children's Literature (NCACL) has been very busy over the last eight months, producing a series of events to celebrate UNESCO's International Year of Translations.

Sharing Stories celebrates Australian children’s books and translations. For the first time in Australia, you can explore 191 children’s books in 50 different languages from 61 member countries of the International Board on Books for Young people (IBBY) plus IBBY Australia’s 48 Honour books.

Throughout Canberra, Libraries ACT will be displaying IBBY Australia’s Honour books.

Speakers include children's book luminaries such as Libby Gleeson, Ursula Dubosarsky, Jackie French and Freya Blackwood.

Click the poster above to see the entire calendar, and click HERE for more details on the program events. Not to be missed!

Guest Post: Tania McCartney - Imagine If...

This week, Tania McCartney revisits KBR with a enviable nod at this upcoming event by the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature, Imagine If...Here's what she has to say...

How stunning is this original artwork by Bob Graham? It will be the featured piece in the upcoming Imagine If... exhibition, run by the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature this July/August. I'm already rosy pink at the thought of this priceless peek into the work of our divine Australian book creators.

Bob's image, above, will be raffled to raise funds for the framing of NCACL artwork for future exhibitions. Could you imagine owning it? Gasp.

Bob Graham (image credit: Carolyn Graham)

Running from Monday 10 July to Wednesday 30 August at the University of Canberra, don't miss this glorious opp to immerse yourself in picture book illustration glory. Details on the exhibition, its location at UC and the raffle, can be found here.Yes, you can buy raffle tickets even if you don't live in Canberra, so hop to it and good luck (gasp!).

100 Years of May Gibbs Quilt to benefit the NCACL

To celebrate 100 years of the work of May Gibbs, the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature is raffling this amazing May Gibbs baby quilt. All proceeds will benefit the NCACL.

The quilt is beautifully-crafted from official, approved fabric, and measures 96cm x 136cm.

Tickets are just $2 each or 3 for $5. To buy tickets, email Trish Milne at ncaclraffleATgmail.com, with how many tickets you'd like, and your postal address. Trish will send you bank deposit details and once funds are received, your raffle tickets will be posted.

The quilt will be drawn on Sunday 23 October 2016 at the Botanic Gardens in the ACT. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to own something truly special--a literary work of art in fabric.

Learn more about the NCACL by clicking on the image below.

Event: Seeing Stories Finale Event at University of Canberra

Today I had the great pleasure of attending the Seeing Stories Exhibition Finale Event at the University of Canberra. Organised by the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature (NCACL) and featuring hand-picked originals by some of our finest illustration talent, including Terry Denton, Ann James, Alison Lester and Bob Graham, The Hub was alive with stunning artworks, authors, illustrators, kids and book lovers.

This exhibit is but a small slice of the precious John Barrow collection, now owned by the NCACL.

Bob Graham