Event: High Tea & Book Reading at Rodney's Nursery

Saturday 27 June 2009

1pm - 4pm

Rodney's Nursery, Canberra

Katie Dawson from MissChief Maker hosted the most amazing High Tea event at Rodney's Nursery today, right here in Canberra.

Smooth jazz, tinkling teacups, divine cakelets on pedestal plates and a beautiful array of tea made the afternoon a relaxing experience, despite the well oversold guest list!

It was great fun to do three readings of Riley and the Sleeping Dragon to the young ladies in attendance. It was also lovely to peruse the beautiful wares on display - showcasing some of Canberra's finest handmade talent including Mr Mudge, Poppy Bean & Bloss, Histoires, Prim & Pretty and Tango & James.

Tania, Lisa Barrett from Tango & James, Katie Dawson

Many thanks to Katie for having me!

Event: Talk at the International Women's Club

10am

28 July 2009

The Italian Club, Canberra

I will be speaking to over 300 women at Canberra's International Women's Club on 28 July - about my experiences in China, expatriation, culture shock and repatriation.

I will be discussing how to make the most of your time during expatriation, and will be reading exerpts from Beijing Tai Tai.

For more information, contact Pia Waldron.

Riley and the Sleeping Dragon Review by Reading Upside Down

Review by Susan Whelan from Reading Upside Down, a site jam-packed with kids book reviews of all genres.

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Author in Residence

I will be spending some of Term 3 and Term 4 of 2009 at Caroline Chisholm primary in Canberra as the school's first ever Resident Author.

I will work several times a week with several classes, inluding a Special Education class, teaching a literacy programme and book-writing workshop, based on the structure of Riley and the Sleeping Dragon. The work will continue for a nine-week period.

Huge thanks to Julie and Irene for their support!

Event: Book Reading and Signing at Baby & Kids Market, Canberra

20 June 2009

Baby & Kids Market

Exhibition Park, Canberra

Such a fun morning at the huge Baby & Kids Market, held at the Fitzroy Pavillion. I read Riley and the Sleeping Dragon to a group of kids, had a chat with some lovely parents and even signed some books.

Many thanks to Cate Hale for having me along!

Author Interview on Ruby Winkle Blog

Such a thrill to be featured on the blog of talented artist and book writer, Meghan Killeen, whose new book - Ruby Winkle - will be out soon.

Meghan will soon be reviewing books for Kids Book Review - so don't forget to drop by and get some serious kids book inspiration!

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Event: Reading and Talk at Red Hill Primary, Canberra

11 June 2009

Red Hill Primary School

Canberra

I recently read Riley and the Sleeping Dragon and spoke to grade 2 students at Red Hill primary on life as an author. The kids were studying different careers and it was great fun to tell them about my responsibilities as a writing and how much fun I have!

Huge thanks to Rosanna Allen for having me along. The kids asked some wonderful questions and it was a pleasure to see my goddaughter, Isabella, in the audience.

Riley and the Not So Sleepy Dragon

I think I'm on a winner.

Thank the heavens for illustrator Kieron Pratt.

The next Riley book is going to be amazing.

New Illustrator

So, here we are, the sensational Kieron Pratt and I - launching ourselves bodily and artistically into the future.

He has completely recreated Riley. And Panda.

Yes, this may give the original book a bit of a shuffle looks-wise, but I am thrilled to know the ensuing series of Riley books will feature characters so stuffed with vivacity and personality and life... I just couldn't ask for more.

I am therefore humbled and thrilled to announce that the next Riley book - Riley and the Dancing Lion - will go ahead, with a projected release date of November 2009.

If you wish to follow our journey into Book No. 2, head to Kids Book Review at frequent intervals.

What People Are Saying About Beijing Tai Tai

Tania McCartney is one of the most engaging writers practising the craft in Beijing today, opening innocent details into hilarious “that’s-life” observations. Not only that, she does it while juggling two kids, house and husband (sometimes literally, I think). This book rewrites the myth of the full-time expat mother. – Lee Mack, Managing Editor, City Weekend

With Beijing Tai Tai, McCartney delivers a revealing look into the wonderfully imperfect world of expat (family) life in Beijing. Flush with sarcastic wit and a deep respect for everything Chinese, this book is a comic masterpiece and a must-read for anyone who calls themselves a Beijinger. – Erica Chen, Parents & Kids Editor, City Weekend

For the long-term expat, reading Beijing Tai Tai is time spent gasping in recognition. For the armchair traveller, it is a fabulous introduction to a city never far from the headlines but rarely explored from a young family's point of view. Both funny and insightful, McCartney's utterly honest account is a must read for anyone with an interest in China, in refreshingly frank memoir or in the subject of motherhood - whichever country you choose to learn it in. – Jenny Niven, Director, The Bookworm International Literary Festival

At once touching and humorous, accessible but full of food for thought. - Barbie Robinson, ArtyFacts presenter on ArtSound FM 90.3/92.7

Hilarious! Kathy Lette eat your heart out! - Dani, mum, Melbourne

Beijing Tai Tai is hilarious! And a hazard to my work schedule. - Barbara Knackstedt, Executive Director, BNI ACT/NSW Tablelands

In Beijing Tai Tai, McCartney skilfully blends amusing anecdotes, personal family moments and the joys and frustrations of parenthood with glimpses of Beijing and China as seen through the eyes of an intelligent and insightful, well-travelled observer. McCartney’s account is given with great wit and humour, sharing her struggles integrating her family into Chinese life and painting an intriguing picture of the meeting of western and eastern culture. - Susan Whelan, World Literatures Feature Writer, Suite 101

I just love your humour and wit. I find myself going to bed just to read. - Leanne, curator of cultural items at her family daycare centre

Amazing. - Julie Nichols, Canberra Handmade Market

I had heard from several girlfriends to buy Beijing Tai Tai - I love it! Great job and a big thank you - I cannot put the book down! - Emma Smith, Canberra

See what people are saying about Riley and the Dancing Lion.
See what people are saying about Riley and the Sleeping Dragon.

What People are Saying

What people are saying about Tania's work.

Click the book to take a look...

Click here to read reviews.

What People Are Saying About Riley and the Sleeping Dragon

You rock! - young boy at St Monica's Primary School, Canberra

I love your book. - young girl at North Ainslie Primary School, Canberra

LOVE YOUR WORK!!! Mighty Fine Idea This!!! - Kieron Pratt, illustrator, Canberra

Thank you so much for sending us your book. My Riley truly loves it. - Joanne M, mum, Australia

You have created a fine piece of children's literature. - Paul J, dad, Beijing

It is such a wonderful read - my 14 year old son Michael now wants to go to China and see all the sights that are pictured in your book. - Laura, mum, Northern Ireland

The simplicity of this book is perhaps the biggest attraction. The text for each llustration/picture is brief, but it often contains a variety of adjectives and adverbs to create a richer image for children. - Susan Whelan, Reading Upside Down

I want to be an author like her when I am bigger.
Her story was interesting.
I liked the sleeping dragon the most.
- Children at Red Hill Primary School

[McCartney's books] place emphasis on the stylish black and white photos of scenes from life in modern day Beijing and Hong Kong. The [photos] give a human interest rather than a tourist vision of the countries. The illustrations that hold the photos together have an appealing comic style about them, with each story being a sub text that joins with the photos and illustrations to offer a quite satisfying and surprising ending. The books could well begin discussion about the culture of China. - John Cohen, editor and publisher of Reading Time, the Children's Book Council of Australia

The [books] are brilliant! The words are beautiful, the pictures are stunning... I love them! I love that they inspire excitement about travel, which I've never seen another children's book do. My 17 months old loves the pictures and the sound of the words. I stopped reading aloud at a few points, just reading ahead to myself, and she looked at me with annoyance until I started saying the words again. And if my arm happened to cover part of a picture, she'd push it away - she's finding the pictures intriguing! - Megan Blandford, mum and blogger

See what people are saying about Riley and the Dancing Lion.
See what people are saying about Beijing Tai Tai.

Just For Kids

COMING SOON!

Event: Book Reading at Baby & Kids Market

Saturday 20 June 2009

9am-12pm

Fitzroy Pavilion

Exhibition Park (EPIC)

Flemington Rd

Mitchell

I'm so thrilled to be reading and signing at Canberra's next Baby & Kids Market at Exhibition Park here in Canberra.

Along with other fun activities for the kids, I will be reading Riley and the Sleeping Dragon to a packed house. It will be great fun!

If you haven't already been to one, the Baby & Kids Market runs all over Australia, providing excellent quality preloved items by great brands at bargain prices. From prams to cots, toys to books and clothes to shoes - this market has it all. Running since 2003, this is Australia's original & largest market of its kind, and consistently praised for its high quality goods.

Contact Cate for more information.

Event: Book Signing at Handmade Winter Warmer Market

23 May 2009

Handmade Winter Warmer Market

Canberra

Huge thanks to Julie Nichols who gave me a short-term table at the hugely successful Handmade Winter Warmer Market at Albert Hall, Yarralumla.

Having the Australian launch of Riley and the Sleeping Dragon that same day, I only had two hours to sign books, and was overwhelmed at the response, even if that short time. An astounding 10,000+ people made their way to the market - congrats, Julie, and thanks for having me!

Event: Reading of Riley and the Sleeping Dragon at MOCCA

Tuesday 26 and Friday 29 May 2009

Manuka Child Care Centre

Canberra

It was so lovely to read Riley and the Sleeping Dragon four times to the gorgeous kids at Manuka Child Care Centre in Canberra.

First it was to the littlies in the nursery, who all clambered around my knees, then to the older kids - right up to kindergarteners, who listened intently to the story, then added their own thoughts and feelings.

Many thanks to Robby for having me along, and to Katie for organising.

Riley and the Sleeping Dragon on Babyccino

Many thanks to Natalie Walton who mentioned Riley and the Sleeping Dragon on Babyccino - a supermum urbanista blog on parenting and kids products, run by four women in four different countries. Click the page above to read.

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Books: Riley and the Sleeping Dragon

Riley and the Sleeping Dragon was launched in Beijing in November 2008, published by Tania McCartney. It was launched in Australia on 23 May 2009.

A unique, multimedia picture book, it follows the magical journey of Riley as he searches Beijing for the elusive sleeping dragon of China.

Featuring stunning black and white photos of Beijing and gorgeous illustrations by Mo Qovaizi, the book is the first in a travelogue series for 0-8 year olds.

Riley and the Sleeping Dragon is available in both China and in Australia via Dennis Jones & Associates. Click your destination for stockists. All media enquiries here. Distribution enquiries here.

If you would like a signed copy of Riley and the Sleeping Dragon, please email here. Shipping worldwide.

For a Sneak Peek, click the picture below.

Click to read Praise for Riley and the Sleeping Dragon.