Books: Riley and the Dancing Lion

Riley and the Dancing Lion is the second book in this multimedia travelogue series for kids.

After travelling to Beijing in book one - Riley and the Sleeping Dragon - Riley now sets his sights on Hong Kong, in search of the traditional dancing lion that is found during Chinese New Year.

Follow Riley across this amazing city and surrounds, as he discovers many types of dancing lion in his quest to find the true lion that heralds a bright new year. But is this traditional lion really what he appears to be?

Riley and the Dancing Lion, featuring brand new illustrations by illustrious Australian artist, Kieron Pratt, was released on 20 November 2009, with distribution Australia-wide just in time for Christmas. For stockists and ordering information, see here or email here for a signed copy.

Riley and the Dancing Lion is available at bookstores Australia-wide thanks to Dennis Jones &Associates.

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

For a Sneak Peek, click the picture below.

All media enquiries here.

Distribution enquiries here.

ACT Book Week Children's Seminar

27 August 2009

Farrer Primary School

Canberra

As part of the ACT's Book Week activities, I was very lucky to be a featured author to chat with kids one-on-one.

Christine Aldred and I have a laugh whilst signing attendance certificates

The kids attending this Children's Seminar were from all over Canberra - and they chose to come along to learn more from authors and illustrators - an exclusive chatting window, if you will. It was held at Farrer Primary School and featured afternoon tea and rounds of 15 minutes with each of the author/illustrators.

Each author/illustrator spoke about their own work and experience as a writer. Because it's such a short piece of work, I also read Riley and the Sleeping Dragon, and gave the kids a sneak peek at the illustrations for the next book in the series (they LOVED them!).

Many thanks to Rachael Hind (Visiting Author coordinator for the Children's Book Council of Australia ACT branch) for all that she does, and to organizer Julie for such a wonderful experience. It was not only a joy to chat with these very clever kids, but it was such a thrill to meet these talented women.

From left: Rachael Hind, Christine Aldred, Pauline Deeves, Dianne Wolfer, Ingrid Jonach, Tania McCartney, Laura Peterson

Riley and the Sleeping Dragon in ABA's Kids' Reading Guide 2009/2010

I am just beside myself to announce that Riley and the Sleeping Dragon has been chosen from tens of thousands of Australian children's books to be featured in the Australian Booksellers Association's annual catalogue for 2009/2010.

Only around 150 titles go into this prestigious Kids' Reading Guide catalogue, which is distributed across the country to bookshops, schools, libraries and educational institutions.

Of course, I am beside myself - can hardly believe my humble little picture book has been so highly esteemed. Makes me feel all the more confident about producing the next in the series, and also keen to redo the book to make it even better (with my amazing new illustrator, Kieron Pratt).

What more could an author want? Kids that love her book and acknowlegment from grownups that her book might actually be Good.

Today is a good day.

Many thanks to Dennis Jones & Associates.

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Event: Book Week Readings August 2009

I'm having a wonderful start to Book Week. On Monday, I read to the fabulous kids at Ainslie Primary and St Thomas More's, and today it was St Bede's Primary. We read Riley and the Sleeping Dragon and talked about storywriting, book creation, and life as a writer. We even folded the most fabulous paper planes, ever!

Children are just so inspirational - they bring me so much energy and never fail to intrigue me with the way they think, the amazing questions they ask and observations they make. Nothing is greater than seeing a child's eyes light up, seeing them learn something new, and watching them become impassioned about their own future.

It was a pleasure to meet all these wonderful kids and their dedicated teachers, and I so look forward to the next 10 days!

Event: Before School Reading Visit

20 August 2009

Jerrabomberra Public

Canberra

I'm a huge supporter of reading - I love it, do it, encourage it and support it, especially when extra effort is made to help those who struggle.

Jerra Public has a fantastic Before School Reading programme that encourages young readers to foster a love of books - in my opinion, the biggest drawcard to hone a solid reader.

I chatted with both the readers and their helpers. We read Riley and the Sleeping Dragon and we talked about the importance of reading (eg: did you know that if you can read well, the quality of your life will improve?) and then we made red paper planes and ran around throwing them everywhere!

I also signed bookmarks and books.

Huge thanks to Megan Hasler for this wonderful moment in time.

Event: Meeting with the Book Club at Red Hill Primary

Monday 10 August 2009

Red Hill Primary School

Canberra

What a wonderful time I had chatting with the kids at Red Hill Primary about the book club they set up - completely their own idea.

This small bunch of kids are passionate about books and it was my pleasure to talk to them one-on-one about life as an author, and about the book writing process.

We read Riley and the Sleeping Dragon then had a good old chat about favourite books - and even learned about some new ones! I'm off to hunt them down.

Well done, kids! Love it!

Event: Talk for Women's International Club, Canberra

Tuesday 28 July

Italian Club

Canberra

I was thrilled to speak to over 200 women at the Women's International Club in Canberra recently. The group, who consist of fifty per cent Australian members and fifty per cent international, is jam packed with the most fascinating, educated and worldly women.

It was such a pleasure to be so warmly welcomed and to talk about my life as a tai tai in Beijing with a young family. I also read several exerpts from Beijing Tai Tai.

Many thanks to Pia Waldron for organizing what has been one of my favourite events to date. It was fascinating to briefly meet some lovely women at the end of the talk, and to share in our passion for expat living, and for China.

Radio Interview for TASTE - FM 92.7 / 90.3

8 July 2009

Manuka Arts Centre

Canberra

So much fun to chat with Barbie Robinson from the TASTE programme on Canberra's ArtSound FM.

We talked about my involvement in Life Education Australia's Ocsober challenge - when I will stumble through one alcohol-free month, in order to not only raise funds for this worthwhile organization, but to heighten awareness on the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption. This is particularly aimed at children and young people.

The TASTE programme features stories about regional produce, producers, food and wine events, cookbook reviews, cooking classes, chef profiles, festivals – anything that might interest foodies.

The interview was featured on Saturday 11 July 2009 during the TASTE timeslot at 11.30am (and repeated on Tuesdays at 3.30pm).

You can switch your dial to FM 90.3 or FM 92.7, depending on your Canberra whereabouts.

Many thanks to the fabulous Barbie Robinson for a fun and important interview.

You can learn more about Life Education Australia here and PLEASE sponsor me for Ocsober by clicking here. Every cent helps.

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