Mr Darcy will be launched this Sunday at idyllic Marks and Gardner Gallery

We would love to see you on Sunday at the launch of Mr Darcy. 

If you feel like putting your creative skills to the test let us know your imaginative title for a new Pride and Prejudice mash-up. Leave your  creative titles here to win a copy of Mr Darcy. Winners will be announced next Wednesday.

Come and join us for the launch of Nancy Bentley @fullersbookshop in Tasmania

Three years ago we heard the story of Nancy Bentley, the first Australian female sailor. A former naval officer told the story to a group of children at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Tracey Hawkins made contact with Nancy’s grandson Allan and began writing the story of Nancy Bentley. Set in 1920 in Port Arthur, Tasmania, this story features beautiful illustrations by Jacqui Grantford reflecting the time and place.

Nancy Bentley will be launched on the 26^th November at Fullers Bookshop in Hobart.

Artist by Artist with Peter Carnavas

Peter by Christine from ABC Open Sunshine Coast on Vimeo.

ONCE UPON A TIME, IT WAS BOOK WEEK

ONCE UPON A TIME, IT WAS BOOK WEEK

Aleesah Darlison, author of the Totally Twins series, shares her story with children from her home town.

We are celebrating Book Week with a Book Swap

Do join us for a totally awesome Book Swap this Friday.
We will be celebrating Book Week.

The Great Expedition comes to Mount Tamborine

This Sunday we will be celebrating the release of a fabulous picture book -The Great Expedition by Peter Carnavas. Our friends at Marks and Gardner Gallery in Mount Tamborine will be hosting the launch.

Do come along. We would love to see you there - the kids will be entertained with music, history and brilliant storytelling. Parents can relax with coffee and cake!

Peter Carnavas, the author and illustrator, will be signing copies of his books and his original artwork will be on display. 

The Great Expedition will be launched by Sophia Whitfield, publisher at New Frontier.

Hazel Edwards visits The Children's Bookshop in Beecroft

Yesterday Hazel Edwards and I visited The Children’s Bookshop in Beecroft.

35 teacher librarians joined us from the Sutherland Shire as we discussed the future of the book, the preservation of shared reading and ideas for Book Week.

Hazel Edwards discussed the challenges involved in writing a non-boring history for children.

Many of the teacher librarians were interested in Hazel’s offer to conduct a web chat with their students. Using Skype students can have a conversation with Hazel and ask her questions about her latest book, Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop .

We had a brilliant day thanks to our enthusiastic and hospitable host Paul MacDonald from The Children's Bookshop.

Photos are thanks to the lovely Susanne Gervay. It is always a pleasure to catch up with Susanne.

Join us for Kids Book Swap this Friday

On the last Friday of every month we throw a party at Forestville library.
We share a book with the kids and invite an author or illustrator to attend.
This month Sophia Whitfield, publisher and author, will be the guest at Kids Book Swap.
Come along and join us for this fun filled event. There will be cake!

The Great Expedition is launched in style

On the weekend The Great Expedition, written and illustrated by Peter Carnavas, was launched in style by Kelly Dunham, the festival director of Voices on the Coast. Guests were treated to music, a little history and some fine storytelling.

Krissy and Fiona from Avid Reader were most hospitable hosts. Krissy presented Peter with a birthday cake insisting that we all sing Happy Birthday to The Great Expedition.

The Carnavas band opened the event with a rendition of Botany Bay on the accordion, ukulele and guitar.

Peter then worked his illustration magic. He informed us that his Google searches for Burke and Wills had shown them to be Don Burke and Prince William. With a good deal of skill Peter turned these two famous individuals into two other famous Australians – the Australian explorers Robert O’Hara Burke and William John Wills. The Great Expedition is loosely based on the adventures of these two characters.

The Great Expedition is a humorous tale with an underlying Peter Carnavas message for kids, which makes every one of his books so special. We can’t tell you any more – you will have to read the book.

It's a book launch and you are all invited!

We are so excited! In two weeks we will be in Brisbane to launch Peter Carnavas' latest book, The Great Expedition.
The launch will be held at Avid Reader bookshop on Sunday 15th May at 10am.
Come along and say hello. Peter has a few surpirses in store.

Peter Carnavas visits Sydney

Peter Carnavas is the author and illustrator of four books, Jessica's Box, Sarah's Heavy Heart, The Important Things and Last Tree in the City. The Great Expedition will be released on the 1st May. 

Last year Peter withdrew from teaching full time to concentrate on writing and illustrating. He still teaches occasionally, but now runs workshops for children in schools on illustration techniques and visual literacy. He is highly sought after as a workshop presenter and last week visited six schools in Sydney over three days.

He now has a huge following of primary school aged fans.

Many thanks to Judith Ridge, Western Sydney Young Children's Literature Officer and Paul Macdonald from The Children's Bookshop in Beecroft, both of whom assisted with the coordination of the school visits.

Little Treasures are a hit in Bologna

The first news is in from Bologna and it seems this gorgeous Little Treasures collection of Peter Carnavas’ work is ever so popular.

Our creative designer Nick has given Peter’s books a clever new look. Each book has a logo to reflect its simple but important message – Love, Environment, Family and Self Worth. Peter’s fifth book, The Great Expedition, is about resilience. Nick is still working on a logo for this one!

The Great Expedition will be released on the 1^st May.

Cartoons, kooky characters and plot driven mysteries just for the kids!

School holidays will soon be upon us.


The kids will be under your feet or locked away playing the Xbox. But, you would much rather they were having the time of their lives being inspired by stories, kooky characters and cartoon creations. We know you would. So we have made it easy for you. Three brilliant author/illustrators will be sharing their magic with kids during the Easter break.

The workshops will be help at a fabulous bookshop – The Children's Bookshop in Beecroft. They are celebrating 40 years this year so wish them a Happy 40th Birthday as you walk through the door.

Illustrating Picture Books with Peter Carnavas

In this hands-on workshop, students will be sharing drawing tips and ideas for creating picture books with well-known Australian illustrator Peter Carnavas. Peter will share his knowledge and expertise and children will develop illustrating techniques to bring characters to life!
When: Monday April 11th, 9-12-30pm
For: Students Aged 8-12
Cost: $50 per student
All materials are provided. Book early
Peter Carnavas will be releasing his fifth picture book in May this year. You may even get a sneak peek of The Great Expedition before it is released. Peter is the author and illustrator.

Draw Dream Write Delight

… A creative writing workshop for younger kids ...
Imaginations will run wild in this writing and illustrating super-session with children’s author, Aleesah Darlison. Create and draw cool, kooky characters and get started on a story about them.
This workshop promotes creativity and sharing of ideas. Free goody bag included.
When: Wednesday 13 April, 9-12-30pm
For: Ages 7-9
Cost: $50 per student. All materials are provided. Book early
Aleesah Darlison is the author of the sparkling new series, Totally Twins. The third book in the series will be released in August.

Calling all Future Writers!

Author Sue Whiting will be leading a writing workshop for students aged 9-12 years.
Participants in this workshop will be exploring the writing process, focusing on writing skills and gaining tips on developing plot, character and setting! Activities will be hands-on and students will particularly gain insight into ways to improve writing skills.
When: Thursday April 14th, 9-12-30pm
For: Students Aged 9-12
Cost: $50 per student
All materials are provided. Book early!

Sue is the author of Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and A Britt Brady Mystery:The Hairy Legs Heist.

RSVP for all workshops:

02 9481 1881
staff@childrensbookshop.com.au

Celebrating Australian Women on International Women's Day

Today we are celebrating International Women’s Day.


As we look back over the history of Australia there are many women who have shaped and contributed to our society.

Last year we released the Aussie Heroes series, a new series of junior non-fiction books which reflects the heroes of Australia.

The books are for primary school aged children and are written as a narrative, complemented by colour illustrations throughout.

Our first female hero is Dame Nellie Melba. She was the first great Australian diva, but she also worked tirelessly for the war effort, staging numerous fundraising concerts in support of the Red Cross and other charities.

Our next female hero, the manuscript has just dropped into my inbox, will be Mary MacKillop.

Perhaps you have a particular hero whose life has had an impact on your own?

Celebrating Samuel's Kisses

Samuel’s Kisses has been launched!

Thank you to Janene and Mary at Marks and Gardner Gallery in Mount Tamborine. They were fabulous hosts, putting on an exciting festival of activities for the children.

Congratulations to the lovely Karen Collum on the launch of her very first picture book. Karen shared the event with family and friends. Many writers also came along to show their support for Karen.

Kisses were shared by young and young-ish.

Serena Geddes displayed her beautiful original illustrations from Samuel’s Kisses. The children helped Serena create a few exciting new characters. Two lucky children took these fabulous illustrations home with them.

And, of course, there was cake. We had to have a cake and what a cake it was.

Both Karen and Serena are relative newcomers to the world of picture books.

They are both exceptionally talented and have a number of books now in the pipeline. Hooray for them!

Celebrate Valentine's Day a day early with Samuel's Kisses

We are celebrating Valentine's Day a day early and you are invited to join us for tea.

We are excited to be launching Samuel's Kisses at the idyllic Marks and Gradner Gallery on Sunday 13th February at 2.30pm. 

This beautiful book is Karen Collum's debut picture book. Serena Geddes' original illustrations will be on display as she demonstrates her own whimsy style.

Samuel's Kisses is the perfect gift to purchase the day before Valnetine's Day.

So join us for a celebration as we congratulate Karen and Serena on their gorgeous picture book.

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.

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.