Riley and the Sleeping Dragon Teaching Notes

Finally! I am pleased to provide the first of my teaching notes and lesson plans for the Riley series of books. Here you will find three different lesson plans for Riley and the Sleeping Dragon in PDF. Just click below where you can download or print the plans. Happy teaching!

Riley and the Sleeping Dragon Lesson Plans

Readings and Signing with Kieron Pratt at St Monica's, Canberra

My book readings and presentations for kids was taken to a whole new level thanks to my glorious illustrator Kieron Pratt, who accompanied me on a fabulous visit to St Monica's Primary School in Canberra.

Kieron had the children absolutely entranced with his fuzzy personality and talent. After a book reading that was rasped out by me (part of my voice was missing at the time!), we took the kids through a powerpoint presentation on how we collaborated to write and illustrate a book.

Here is Kieron (below) being a cheeky monkey behind my back, just seconds before being sent to the naughty chair.

And here he is doing what he does best (other than enthral children) - showing saucer-eyed children how he draws Riley... first with outlines...

And then padding everything out with arms and leg 'sausages'. Brilliant.

After the presentation, we had a fun time signing lots of books and chatting to the kids about this, that, the other, books, writing and travel. And naughty illustrators.

Huge thanks to the lovely Rachael Hind for organising, and I can't wait to go back to St Monica's awesome library full of awesome kids again. Naughty illustrators optional.

;)

Book Signing at Handmade Market

Wonderful to sign books and meet some fabulous people at Handmade Market and its new home of the Kamberra Wine Company.

There were huge crowds at the market and it was great to see some familiar faces and meet some news ones. I even got to finally meet illustrious local author Jack Heath, who popped by to say hi. He's just about to put out a new book, so check him out.

It was so exciting to feature Tina Snerling's beautiful Riley doll at this market - he received lots of wonderful compliments and requests from kids to hold!

The Riley Movie

It may only be a few seconds long but hopefully a sign of things to come...

Thank you, Kieron Pratt. You're the master.

Announcing the new Riley Doll

I am thrilled and proud to announce the arrival of: Riley - Traveller and Seeker of Dragons, Lions and Koalas. Born 24 March 2010 in Brisbane and quickly flown to Canberra. Created by the incredible talents of Tina Snerling of Tiny Concept.

Riley will make his first appearance to the world at the upcoming Handmade Market - Sunday 28 March at Kamberra Wine Company. He will be available for oggling bewteen the hours of 10am and 4pm, after which time, he will need to go home and have a nap. Come and meet him!

For more pictures, click Riley below...

Book Readings at Government House Open Day

Just so lovely to be involved in The Smith Family's Government House Open Day - a family day out to raise money for kids in need. The Smith Family provide wonderful educational and training support to disadvantaged children in Australia - and this is a cause I strongly believe in.

I read books in the storytelling marquee to a delightful crowd of kids and parents, and also got time to wander the grounds of the magnificent Government House in Yarralumla. There was a long line of hundreds waiting to get an exclusive glimpse inside the house - and many fantastic family activities to enjoy including an art exhibition, pony rides, food, craft and produce stalls, a classic cars exhibit, live entertainment, even a visit from the Red Berets!

What a fantastic day out. Congrats to Lyn Mitchell and the team for putting on a brilliant day and for raising a whopping $70,000 to go to kids in need. Well done!

Book Signing at Mathilda's Market, Canberra

It was great to be so busy at Mathilida's Market, held at the Park Hyatt in Canberra. The setting was just divine and the stalls absolutely superb. The terrible weather didn't deter a good crowd showing, and a consistent book signing, much to my delight.

For more pics, see my blog post or head to Mathilda's Market blog for more sensational photos taken by the talented Annie La Rue.

Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Bonnet Parade

(photo credit: Martha Stewart)

Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Bonnet Parade

Sunday 4 April 2010

1.30pm

So looking forward to a beautiful afternoon at Rodney's Nursery in Pialligo. The inimitable Katie from MissChief Maker is coordinating a fabulous Eastery event, in conjunction with the lovely Emma from Brindabella Baby. It will be held in the nursery's stunning grounds - could you think of a better place for an egg hunt?

The event is held to raise funds for the 4TylerJames Fund. Tyler James is a 5 year old Canberra boy who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at age 2. Neuroblastoma is the 4th most common childhood cancer behind acute leukaemias, brain tumours and lymphomas respectively and accounts for 8-10% of all cancers in children.

Come along and enjoy a gorgeous Easter Sunday afternoon out. There will be a sausage sizzle, wine tastings, raffles, demonstrations, face-painting, some fabulous stalls and of course, a book reading from yours truly!

Make an Easter Bonnet and bring it along - you could win a sensational prize! but make sure you register first. And of course, get set ready and go! for chocolate egg hunting in the grass - eggs kindly provided by Chocolate Mamas.

You'll need to register at MissChief Maker because places are limited.

See you there!

My Kids Travel Book Picks for Fantastic Fiction

The extraordinary Zoe from Playing by the Book recently asked me to guest post in her fantabulous Fantastic Fiction series, and I loved every minute of it. Zoe invites people to nominate their fave books under a certain 'theme' and I chose TRAVEL.

Zoe then elaborates on the topic by providing wonderful, related ideas that parents and children can enjoy, like music, events and fun projects.

Love your work, Zoe and thanks for having me!

CBCA Clayton's Awards Night 2010 - a triumph!

I had the most enlightening and fascinating time at the Clayton's Awards Night - run by the ACT branch of the Children Book Council of Australia, right here in Canberra.

These awards are the 'awards you're having when you're not having an award' - ie: they are a mock presentation by several 'judges' on which books they think will be nominated in the real life Book of the Year awards (nominees to be announced 30 March).

I 'judged' in the Younger Reader category, and I'm happy to now reveal my picks - the books I think should be shortlisted at this year's Awards (announced August)...

• Running with the Horses by Alison Lester
• Cautionary Tales for Boys and Girls by John Hay-Mackenzie
• Darius Bell and the Glitter Pool by Odo Hirsch
• Sam's Bush Journey by Sally Morgan and Ezekiel Kwaymullina
• Just Macbeth! by Andry Griffiths, illlustrated by Terry Denton
• Scarygirl by Nathan Jurevicius

I am posting reviews on these books at Kids Book Review, so be sure to check them out.

Follow-Up Interview on 2CC Radio for Government House Open Day

Great to chat with Mike Welsh of 2CC regarding The Smith Family's Government House Open Day this Sunday 14 March 2010.

See Government House Open Day for more, and I look forward to seeing you at the Storytelling Marquee! Come along to this great family day out in Yarralumla, Canberra - 10am to 4pm.

Riley and the Dancing Lion Giveaway at City Weekend Beijing

Huge thanks to the lovely Erica Chen, my former editor at City Weekend magazine in Beijing, who has organised a giveaway of Riley and the Dancing Lion to CW readers.

Can't wait to see the entries! Thanks, E! x

Interview on 104.7 FM for Government House Open Day

Great to be interviewed again, this time on Canberra FM, for the The Smith Family's Government House Open Day this Sunday 14 March 2010.

I will be reading my books in the Storytelling Marquee along with other authors and illustrators like Ingrid Jonach and David Murphy.

It was wonderful to be able to chat on 104.7 FM about this wonderful family day out. The piece will air this week.

See Government House Open Day for more on the Storytelling Marquee.

Interview on Radio 2CC for Government House Open Day

I'm so happy to be supporting The Smith Family's Government House Open Day this Sunday 14 March 2010, by reading in the Storytelling Marquee.

The work The Smith Family does for underpriveleged children in Australia is quite phenomenal, providing excellent learning and educational programmes to those who simply can't afford them.

It was wonderful to be able to chat on Radio 2CC about this wonderful family day out. The piece will air this week.

See Government House Open Day for more on the Storytelling Marquee.

What Readers Are Saying...

Want to know what readers are saying about Tania's books? Well, have a squiz!

Writer in Residence Programme

I am delighted to now offer my Writer in Residence Programme to schools Australia-wide. This programme is a workshop series designed for primary school children in Key Stage 2.

It comprises a full 14-session programme encompassing the entire picture book writing and illustration process, from creative conception through storytelling, layout and design, publication, marketing and promotion.

Children who participate in the Writer in Residence programme will enjoy a unique, entertaining and highly educational experience, encompassing both creative and practical processes designed to heighten their literacy understanding and competency.

To see the full prospectus on the Writer in Residence Programme email Tania.