Special books

The Important Things is a special book by Peter Carnavas.

Christopher has lost his father (we are not told how or why). Carnavas highlights the need for a child to be given the time and space to grieve in their own way.

The Important Things is a beautifully perceptive book.

John McIntyre from The Children's Bookshop captures the essence of The Important Things. He also chats about a couple of other fabulous books. It's worth lsitening to.

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.

New Frontier congratulates Peter Carnavas

New Frontier congratulates Peter Carnavas on the shortlisting of The Important Things for the Speech Pathology Book of the Year Award 2011.

Last Tree in the City has also been shortlisted for the Environment Award for Children's Literature.
A big week for Peter Carnavas!

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!

Celebrating Dame Nellie Melba's 150th Birthday

The first great Australian diva, Dame Nellie Melba, celebrates her 150th birthday today.

Born Helen Porter Mitchell, she changed her name to reflect her Melbourne heritage. In 1887 Melba made her operatic debut. She went on to sing in all the great opera houses of Europe.

During World War I Melba worked tirelessly for the war effort organising fundraising concerts across America.

Dame Nellie Melba is one of our great Aussie heroes.

Aussie Heroes: Dame Nellie Melba is written as a narrative for children 7+. There are coloured illustrations throughout the book reflecting Melba’s glamorous, colourful life. It is also available as an ebook from Booki.sh. Here is a sneak peek.



A book by Booki.sh

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.