Marvellous Maps Wrap-Up And Sorry Day Launch

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It would easily be thirty years since I've set foot inside the sl.nsw.gov.au/" target="_blank">State Library of New South Wales. Sydney was my stomping ground during the '80s, and I still have a deep affection for this city, especially its molten core of culture, the arts and humanities.

The SLNSW is a central hub in this delicious melting pot, and how I've waited this long to revisit, I do not know. The Library has been undergoing some impressive upgrades, and several new galleries (with more to come) have opened, along with a children's learning centre, opening early October.

The current line-up of programmes, events and brain-popping resources is, on its own, worth a Sydney visit (I hope to go later in the year), and I was fortunate to have a wee tour of the SLNSW's hallowed halls ahead of my Marvellous Maps event this past Sunday.

I left Canberra early on a Dash-8. It was a glorious day. I used to be a flight attendant, but taking off and landing still causes an earnest nose pressed-to-window, as though a birds' eye view is something completely new to my eyes. Each and every time.

Leaving Canberra and arriving in Sydney...

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After a swift cab ride, Pauline Fitzgerald and Megan Perry so warmly welcomed me into the hushed rooms of the Library. The Reading Room... is it not somewhere you need to molecularly transport yourself to immediately? How desperate I was to just sit and stare and then dive headlong into a book at one of those tables. Just beautiful.

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But I had a map presentation to launch!

Seventy-two families booked in for the event, held in a beautiful, window-lit room. We, kids and adults alike, travelled through time, all the way back to Pangea, to discover how our planet's land was formed, and how maps have been charted through the ages... from the Ancient Greeks who originally thought Earth was a flat plate surrounded by an oceanic rim, and only comprised three landmasses (Europe, Asia and Libya)... right through to the very first complete map of Australia by Matthew Flinders (published 1814), and of course, how modern technology allows us to view entire continents (or even our own house) from space--via satellite.

The children were so engaged and curious--and every single question I asked was answered (even the curly ones!). Kids never fail to astound and delight me, and what a thrill it was to meet so many avid map lovers.

A big thank you to Megan for these great pics.

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When my presi was over, the kids got busy with creating their own Australia map, then were taken on mini tours of the impressive objects relating to maps, including Matthew Flinders' own hat, sash, map-making tools, and even his shaving brush!

While I signed maps and books outside the bookshop...

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...kids enjoyed an absolutely beautiful selection of activities, from dress-ups to captain hat-making and putting together a massive wooden floor puzzle of the world. They were also able to make little houses to put on a map of Sydney, among other wonderful ideas (thanks to Megan, Pauline and their hugely creative team). I tell you what, this was some brilliant production--these kids had a ball.

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Thank you, SLNSW! Loved every minute of this special day.

Speaking of special days, Monday 28 May was Reconciliation Day, and we are, of course, in Reconciliation Week. It was the perfect time, then, to launch a new children's book--bookshopa.gov.au/book/sorry-day.do" target="_blank">Sorry Day--at the National Library of Australia last Saturday.

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The book's author, my talented friend Coral Vass, and incredible illustrator Dub Leffler, came to Canberra for the event, and I felt so spoiled to have Coral and my dear friend Nicky Johnston in town. We may or may not have drank coffee, perused books, sipped soup and laughed our heads off at several points over the Friday/Saturday!

And it was with much pride to experience what turned out to be the most emotional book launch I've ever witnessed, yet one filled with much love and hope. It was an honour to hear NLA Director-General Dr Marie-Louise Ayres, Brother Tyrone, Sister Rebecca (the NLA's first Indigenous Curator) Anita Heiss, and both Coral and Dub speak on the importance of this beautiful book, and the need to heal the pain of the Stolen Generation. You can read Coral's rundown of the event right coralvass/coral-vass/2018/5/27/school-visits-book-launch-national-sorry-day-celebrated-in-our-nations-capital" target="_blank">here.

Below - NLA publisher Susan Hall, Dub Leffler, Coral Vass.

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Below--Dub drawing a beautiful tree in my book copy. Dub, Susan and Coral.

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Below--me, Susan Hall, Christina Huynh and Coral Vass. Christina is illustrating Coral's next book. and had travelled all the way from Sydney for this launch, and to meet Susan and Coral. It was such a surprise to meet her after all these years, as I had 'discovered' her for this book. Another example of the book creation process and how it takes a village, with many and varied moving parts! Just wait to see Christina's artwork, rounding out another divine, important creation by Coral, and publishing with the NLA.

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Chief Minister's Reading Challenge Visit

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I had the great pleasure of visiting Rosary PS here in Canberra today, as part of my role as an Ambassador for the educationt.gov.au/teaching_and_learning/chief_ministers_reading_challenge" target="_blank">Chief Minister's Reading Challenge. What could be more fun than talking books, showing how books are made, celebrating books, sharing books, laughing about books, and reminding children how much fun they are (not to mention how they make their brains and hearts grow super huge).

They were such a gorgeous bunch of kids, and have a clear and deep love of books and reading. Our teachers and teacher librarians are absolutely vital when it comes to harnessing and developing a love of story. As humans, story is part of our genetic makeup, and at its core, of course, is literacy--a vital skill in our increasingly text-based world.

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I keep forgetting that kids find this image very funny!

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exploring the many and varied types of book--this one showcasing ONE MILLION JELLYBEANS!

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chatting about the illustration process for Australia Illustrated

Thanks to the Chief Minister's Reading Challenge, children all over Canberra and surrounds have the opportunity to engage with story and literacy in ways they may not otherwise enjoy.

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Rosary PS suffered terrible flood damage to their library earlier in the year, and today marked the day of its re-opening. I was honoured and excited (I've never cut a ribbon before!) to open the library with these delightful students. The only thing missing was a tiara! I know the kids will so enjoy having their beautiful book space back.

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SNIP!

A resounding thank you to the ACT Education Directorate, to Kathy Griffiths and Jo Andersen and the team, and to Sandy Vincent and the staff of Rosary PS for making me so very welcome (that lemon cake... and you have Earl Grey tea!), and most of all to the kids for making me laugh and impressing me so very much with their bright minds and their love of books.

Permission has been given for the children to appear online.

A Wintry August Update ... With Loads Of Sunshine

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Just as we thought winter might be pressing on the brake pedal, a dusting of snow, the likes I've which I've not seen since living in Canberra, coated the mountains surrounding our quiet little basin here in the bush. How I wanted to grab a toboggan and make a dash for it, but simply too much to get through these coming months!

Above is my latest window, this time for the National Library bookshop--it was so much fun to put together. In celebration of the release of importantnutrientsspot/search?q=the-gum-family-finds-home-august-2018" target="_blank">The Gum Family Finds Home, the koalas are chilling out in the bookshop storefront for the next week or so.

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I think it looks so much better IRL ... here's a little vid so you can see it in greater detail. My voice is a little husky, so hopefully you can hear me.

It was great timing to have the display on show during the NLA's 50th Birthday Open Day celebrations on 12 August, too...

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The NLA know how to put on a party--what a spectacular day it was. So much to see and do, experience and explore, and yes, there was cake! It was wonderful to catch up with the lovely Leanne Barrett, below...

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And to meet the illustrious Ron Brooks, fellow Taswegian and all-round lovely man. He was in town for the day, teaching illustration workshops. How I wish I'd been able to gatecrash! His new book, with the inimitable Ursula Dubosarsky, will soon be released with the NLA ... Midnight at the Library.

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I read The Gum Family Finds Home for the very first time at the event--below, with these gorgeous children. My goodness, kids are so bright. And there were four or five of them who've grown so much since I last saw them, I literally didn't recognise them!

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On the Gum Family, here is publishinga.gov.au/pages/blog.do?newsId=435" target="_blank">a blog post I did for the National Library, all about the book's creation.

As I'm buried under a snowdrift of work right now, I've scaled back on event commitments, including Book Week. But one recent event I really enjoyed was a magical evening, opening the May Gibbs Touring Exhibition (from the State Library of New South Wales). It was held at Queanbeyan Library and was just the most beautiful night.

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The Library staff had gone to so much effort, with endless May Gibbs books and ephemera displays, a series of thematic costumes and the most divine Snugglepot and Cuddlepie cookies. There was a wonderful turnout, and I loved showing the assembled May-aficionados a peek at some internal pages from Mamie (and the cover!).

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these divine friends shared in this really special evening. L - R top: Cate Whittle, moi, Catherine Morgans, Maura Pierlot, Leanne Barrett, Stephanie Owen Reeder. L - R bottom: Shaye Wardrop and daughter, Shelly Unwin and daughter

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my gorgeous non-industry friend Sylvia, who took many of these fab pics, Leanne Barrett,
moi, Stephanie Owen Reeder

My beautiful girl turned 18 this month. I can hardly even get my head around it, even now. She had a party here at home (was v nervous about that!) but it turned out to be the most sparkling, gorgeous evening. Millennial kids are so divine; we loved having them here. And I'm so proud of my beautiful, stylish, driven and dedicated girl. Love you, Ella Bella.

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It's been so lovely to be spending time In Real Life of late, rather than online. It's been something I've wanted to do for years, and I must admit I'm now addicted. IRL rocks. I've been much calmer, more focused, more productive and just so much happier, all round--in too many ways to mention.

Getting into nature, exercising, eating better, creating stuff, spending time with friends. I've been working on our house, decluttering a little more, streamlining, re-decorating, treating stains, fixing clothing, all those things we never seem to do. I've been having fun with updating my wardrobe, too, which has been long overdue.

I'll be doing less and less on social media, as I really want to hold onto this lovely life balance. I feel more like 'me' without SM, you know?

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As for work ... I'm gearing up for the release of Mamie this November, and I hope to reveal the cover soon. I'm also heading to Adelaide on a May Gibbs Children's Literature Trust Fellowship for the month of November, so there's lots to prep and plan before I leave. I'm having a launch for Mamie on Sunday 25 November, at the most incredible Adelaide venue--more info on that soon, and I'll need to get everything prepped well before I go, as well as artwork for the Mamie window I'll be doing at Harry Hartog bookstore in Canberra when I get back in early December.

I've been in near-end-production with several books, and am about to sign for two new exciting projects, which I'll reveal soon. They relate to my maps. I also have several books in with acquisitions, including one with another local author and friend. It's no matter where you are in your career, there's always loads of nervous waiting. Hoping to reveal more soon.

More greeting cards for Nuovo Group have been calling, and I hope to get into new illustrations as soon as I get through some book outlines. A long overdue picture book, residing in my head, is clamouring for attention, too. Can I have another 8 hours in my day, please? Unlike even a year ago, I'm no longer interested in compromising my health and sanity for my work, but I really would like another 8 hours!

So, alas, I don't have too many visuals I can share right now. This little peek, below, is from another project I've been working on for some time, and is really dear to my heart. I think I'll make like that cow and jump over the moon with this project. I might even run away with the spoon.

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I've been tempted by quite a few books this past month. Maybe it's Love Your Bookshop Day, the rapid approach of Book Week or, just ... loving books in general? Here is a peek at my latest great loves. The first three books are by my favourite illustrator, David Roberts. I am utterly OBSESSED with the first one, and you simply must get a copy immediately; you will love it to bits. The next two, I must admit, I bought for the illustrations, but there is nothing wrong with that, right?

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A bit of an Isabelle Arsenault obsession...

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And this divine adult title that I cannot wait to dive into...

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I nearly fell off my chair when I somehow, miraculously, found these long-coveted tomes on eBay recently. In mint condition and they went for a song! So happy. Thank you, Marcie Muir and Kerry White. Thank you.

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And I'm dipping into these three magical novels. I have been going to bed so early and don't last long before dropping off to sleep (so annoying), but not due to the book content, which is fabulous! Look out for them, two by my gorgeous friends sherylgwyther/" target="_blank">Sheryl Gwyther and catewhittlewrites/" target="_blank">Cate Whittle.

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On the topic of book covers, stay tuned this week for a cover reveal for the second edition of Australia Illustrated!

Okay, it's now InstaCrush time. Here is a peek at the amazing instagram/gemmakoomen/" target="_blank">Gemma Koomen, illustrator, paint and peace-lover. I absolutely adore her style, colour palette, eye for contrast, nature-inspired works and overall cool vibe...

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I hope you have a glorious Book Week planned. I'm sad to miss out on school sessions this year, so I'll be living them vicariously through friends. If you're a teacher/librarian, head to Children's Books Daily for this childrensbooksdaily/book-week-costumes-for-teachers/" target="_blank">fab post on costume ideas for adults. I look forward to seeing all the bookish ensembles online!

Spring is just around the corner--I hope daffies are already poking green fingers through your soil, as they are at my house. Like a squirrel storing treats, I feel like this winter has been all about production and prepping, and very soon I'll be stepping out into the sunshine again, and sharing some of my most favourite book projects ever.

Happy reading, everyone!

Love,

Tx