Join the revolution!

Peter Carnavas has been touring the country encouraging kids to plant trees. Many kids have been inspired by Peter's talks and workshops. They have been coming up with all sorts of interesting places to plant trees and sending the pictures to Peter. You can see some of them here.

Michael, a year 2 student, attempted his own Christmas Tree based on Peter's Last Tree in the City.
We love it so much we just wanted to share it with you.

What do you think?
We think it's brilliant!
So kids, keep sending Peter your illustrations and they will go up on his blog for all to see.

Samantha says thank you!

Last week Samantha celebrated her 25th birthday in style.


Over 50 children listened to Gordon Winch's classic tale

and helped Gordon polish off Samantha's birthday cake.

Samantha was very excited to see so many adults and children at her birthday party and would like to thank  The Children's Bookshop in Beecroft for hosting her fabulous party.

Happy 25th Birthday Samantha

Happy 25th Birthday Samantha Seagull's Sandals.
This beautiful commemorative edition of Samantha Seagull's Sandals will be launched on:
Friday 10th December at 9.45am
at
The Children's Bookshop
Hannah St
Beecroft
Gordon Winch will read his picture book at 9.45. It will be followed by a celebration at 10.30 with cake!
So, come along for the party as we applaud this iconic Australian picture book.

Samuel's Kisses is launched

The lovely Karen Collum is visiting our blog today.

She has just released her fabulous new picture book - Samuel's Kisses.

Congratulations Karen!

SAMUEL'S KISSES IS LAUNCHED!

A book launch is a wonderful experience, especially when the audience is a class of wide-eyed and enthusiastic 4 and 5 year olds. SAMUEL'S KISSES by Karen Collum & Serena Geddes was launched at the Greenbank C & K Kinder on Wednesday, December 1. The afternoon was filled with dress-ups, craft activities, yummy food, and of course, lots of little people blowing kisses.

Some very special volunteers helped Karen act out the story of SAMUEL'S KISSES, including the inspiration for the story, Karen's son, Samuel.

And of course, what is a book launch without book-themed food? For SAMUEL'S KISSES, that revolved around heart- and kiss-related food, including Custard Kisses (biscuits), heart-shaped fruit, miniature heart cupcakes and of course, a SAMUEL'S KISSES cake.

A big thanks to the staff and students of Greenbank C & K Kinder for hosting the launch. It was a wonderful way to launch SAMUEL'S KISSES into the world.

We feel like dancing

It’s almost Christmas – yes it is and we feel like dancing.

As The Nutcracker opens at the Sydney Opera House tomorrow night we thought our delightful picture book Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy was worth mentioning.

The Nutcracker is a much loved ballet by Tchiakovsky. It is traditionally performed at Christmas time – the giant Christmas Tree which is usually on the stage certainly portrays a Christmas theme.

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy is a favourite part of the ballet for most children. Sue Whiting and Sarah Davis have created a stunning picture book based on the music from The Nutcracker. It includes a CD narrated by Antonia Kidman with the well known music playing in the background.

We recommend it. Go on – go out and buy it from your friendly bookseller.
You can dance your way through the festive season with toddler in tow.

Peter Carnavas in Sydney

Peter Carnavas will be visiting Sydney next week to celebrate the launch of his latest picture book, Last Tree in the City.


Peter will be signing books, reading his books and showing off his illustration prowess at the following events:


Thursday 25th November
Kinokuniya, Level 2 The Galleries Victoria, 500 George St, Sydney @ 10.30am


Friday 26th November
The Children's Bookshop, Beecroft @ 9.45am
Further details here..


The tour will finish with
Kids Book Swap at Froestville Library @ 3.30pm

Molly Palmer from Brisbane Writers' Festival launches Last Tree in the City

The lovely Molly Palmer, producer of Word Play at Brisbane Writers’ Festival, launched Last Tree in the City by Peter Carnavas, at Avid Reader in Brisbane.

The Carnavas family came out in force to support Peter as he released his fourth picture book in two years. An incredible achievement.

Every one of Peter's books has been launched at Avid Reader. 

Peter dedicated his latest book to his three siblings - for his two brothers because they are both ‘greenies’ and to his sister. Peter said out of everyone he knows his sister can ‘take something challenging and make it beautiful’.

Last Tree in the City is a gentle story about making a difference. Peter encouraged children to take a stand for something they believe in. Even, or perhaps especially children can make us stand up and take notice.

This book is one you want on your shelves.

The Big, Bad Book Swap is Back!

It's that time again - come down to Forestville Library tomorrow afternoon for New Frontier's monthly book swap!

Gabiann Marin, author of the awesome books A True Person and Dame Nellie Melba, will be there talking and partying as well.

If you're not sold already, how about the fact that you get free cake and the chance to swap old books? Yeah!

Details for parents are on the image below. See you there!

Don't miss this event

Since his first book Jessica’s Box was published in 2008 Peter Carnavas has had four books published by New Frontier. The fourth book, Last Tree in the City has just been released.


Each one of Peter’s books develops as a moving story with a gentle message.
They give a child something to think about and something to take away with them. For the most part his books give children solutions to difficult situations.

Peter has the advantage of being able to illustrate his own work; this allows the text and illustrations to work seamlessly together.

At the age of 30 this young primary school teacher from the Sunshine Coast has been ever so quietly producing beautiful, poignant picture books for children and adults to share.

On Sunday 31st October we will be launching Peter’s latest environmentally themed picture book, Last Tree in the City at Avid Reader in Brisbane at 10am. If you are around we would love to see you. Molly Palmer from Brisbane Writers’ Festival will be launching the book.

You will be treated to a visual display of Peter Carnavas’ work and be able to watch him create some of his favourite characters. Peter will also share some of his inspiration behind the creation of his latest book.

Peter’s first book was published in April 2008, his fourth in October 2010. That is quite an achievement. We will be celebrating his success in style on Sunday.

You may even get a sneak peek at his next book.

Aussie Heroes

We all need a hero, someone we can look up to and admire.

There are many great Australians who have shown compassion, bravery and humanitarianism.

The Aussie Heroes series introduces children to heroes who have made an important contribution to Australian society.

Each hero has helped others in need, and in turn shaped history.

This new series is for primary school aged children. It will give them an insightful look into the lives of great Australians.

The first book has just been released and features the great Australian diva Dame Nellie Melba.

There are coloured illustrations throughout the book.

The second book in the series, Sir Edward “Weary” Dunlop will be released in February 2011.

Further titles include Professor Fred Hollows and Saint Mary MacKillop.

Each book comes with teaching notes which can be downloaded from the Teachers' Resources section of the New Frontier website.

Last Tree in the City!

 Despite the fact that it poured with rain, loads of people came out to see Peter Carnavas read from his book Last Tree in the City. Peter did illustrations for all the kids and everyone that came was given a free tree. Crazy! Some people even got signed books!

 This tree was made by Peter out of a picture of Barack Obama's pants and Michelle Obama's dress!

This lucky girl, Lilly, even has a character named after her in Peter's next book!

The bike is finished!

It’s been a long time coming but Nick’s super secret project is finally ready! Complete with shiny red paint and a very fashionable plant, this bike is the coolest of the cool.

If you want to know more about the bike and why it’s so cool, check out Peter Carnavas’s new book Last Tree in the City. 

It’s a story about a young boy called Edward who rides around the city mourning the loss of his favourite tree. It doesn’t take long for Edward to figure out how to make a change and soon the whole city is involved! 

  The bike is going on tour in Sydney from next Monday so if you want to get involved and have the bike at your store let us know!

Last Tree in the City

This weekend we are heading to Mount Tamborine for the launch of Last Tree in the City by Peter Carnavas.
There will be craft, storytelling and Peter will be demonstrating a few cartooning techniques for the young and for those a little older.
Marks and Gardner is a beautiful gallery set in the idyllic Mount Tamborine, the perfect setting for this book's first outing.
We are very excited to be able to launch this book at Marks and Gardner and hope to see you there.

Kids Book Swap is this Friday

The last Friday of the month is coming up and we are baking cakes.

Come along to the Kids Book Swap this week featuring Totally Twins author Aleesah Darlison and illustrator Serena Geddes.

They will be giving out free "Perse Rocks" badges so dont miss out.

Aleesah and Serena will be talking about their cool new series. You can ask questions, eat cake and watch Serena weave her illustration magic.
See you there!

Party time on the northern beaches

Aleesah Darlison and Serena Geddes have been having a grand old time launching their new series Totally Twins.

Girls and parents proudly wore Perse Rocks badges. Dynamic duo Aleesah and Serena delighted their audience with stories of twins. Serena demonstrated her terrific skill as an illustrator by drawing  quirky characters for the kids.

Many thanks to our lovely host Maria from Berkelouw at Balgaowlah.

Aleesah Darlison and Serena Geddes celebrate their success with fellow authors and illustrators

Aleesah Darlison and Serena Geddes have been busily promoting their new book this week. Musical Mayhem is the first book in the fabulous new Totally Twins series.

It has been a big year for both Aleesah and Serena, marking their successful foray into the world of children's books.

Tonight they will be celebrating their success with fellow authors and illustrators at the SCBWI conference. Marc McEvoy, The Books Editor at The Sun-Herald will be launching Musical Mayhem during the pre-dinner drinks at the conference.

5.30pm tonight at The Hughenden, Woollahra.

Totally Twins Musical Mayhem Book Launch!

Manly Arts Festival is the place to be this weekend

Aleesah Darlison and Serena Geddes will be entertaining kids with their delightful new stories tomorrow morning at Manly Library at 10am. Come along and join in the fun!

On Sunday 12th September Aleesah and Serena will be talking about their new super cool series, Totally Twins. Serena will show you how to draw fabulous new characters, mini-manicures will be on offer and you will take home your very own goody bag. Sound cool? See you there.

CYA conference

From Four on the Floor we moved on to the CYA conference run by the lovely Tina and Ally.

Aleesah Darlison discussed her recent success with delegates - from unknown to published children's author. She also held several workshops for kids and launched her new book Musical Mayhem, the first book in the Totally Twins series.

Peter Carnavas ran an illustration workshop for the enthusiastic kids attending the Hatchlings day on Sunday.

Thanks to Tina and Ally for organising such an informative and fun conference.

Hello Brisbane

We have just returned from a fun-filled weekend in Brisbane.

Stephanie opened up her beautiful bookshop and cafe for us. Black Cat Books and Cafe is an idyllic bookshop full of treasures.

Stephanie was a welcoming host for the Four on the Floor event; which was held outside on the beautifully decorated verandah.

40 children attended the evening and were delighted with cartooning demonstrations, humour, and fun facts about puggles, twins and ponytails.

Peter Carnavas shared his latest books with the kids and even gave them a sneak preview of his upcoming title Last Tree in the City. It will be published on the 1^st October.

Aleesah Darlison entertained the kids with stories of growing up in the country desperate for a twin sister to share all her INNERMOST secrets. You will have to read her latest book, Totally Twins to find out all about the SECRET totally fabulous life of twin sisters Persephone and Portia.

Peter and Aleesah were joined on the floor by the very funny Oliver Phommavanh and the delightful Julie Nickerson.

A huge thank you to Stephanie and her staff at Black Cat Books and Café for making Four on the Floor such a terrific event.

National Book Week.

Last week was National Book Week. Jo Oliver came down to our monthly book swap at Forestville Library to help us celebrate. Jo read from her books Tatiara and Pilgrim and everyone had an awesome time. If you would like to come down to the next book swap, they are held on the last Friday of every month at Forestville Library. Check out the pictures of all the fun, cake and mayhem below if you need anymore convincing!