Books: Riley and the Curious Koala

Following in the Riley series of travel adventure books, Riley and the Curious Koala takes our little aviator on a journey around the beautiful landmarks of Sydney, in search of a strange and elusive fuzzy creature.

With stunning black and white photos of Sydney's beaches and glorious harbour, even in the torrential rain, this whirlwind trip showcases this gorgeous city at its best.

Riley and the Curious Koala is illustrated once again by the illustrious Kieron Pratt. It is the third book in the very popular Riley travelogue series for little ones.

"It's a superb book and a brilliant series concept - can think of a least a dozen kids I'd love to give it to who'd get so much from it." - author Jackie French 

To find out what else people are saying about Riley and the Curious Koala, click here.

Riley and the Curious Koala is available at bookstores Australia-wide thanks to Dennis Jones & Associates. All media enquiries here. Distribution enquiries here.

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

Author Interview on Miss Helen Writes

So thrilled to be featured on the blog of gorgeous and talented author Helen Ross recently - all about my self-publishing journey. I loved doing this interview - Helen is a real advocate of self-publishing and puts a lot of energy into promoting her own beautiful books. Check out Kids Book Review for a review of 10 Yellow Bananas.

Thanks Helen, for this lovely opportunity!

Riley the Little Aviator Products

Announcing the arrival of Riley the Little Aviator products!

Gorgeous, completely handmade in Australia, these old-fashioned items are exclusively available at Shop Handmade in Canberra's CBD or online right here.

Happy perusing! More coming soon... Check back to see stunning pencil rolls, handmade by the exquisite Posie.

Ordering information following.


Riley paper doll
A$10.90 (A4 sheet)
ORDER


Panda paper doll (A5 sheet)
A$7.90
ORDER


Riley dress-up magnets (A4 sheet)
A$14.50
ORDER


Dancing Lion magnets (A5 sheet)
Rapper, Flinger, Tapper
OR
Ballerina, Latin Dancer, Jazz Dancer
A$9.90 set of three
ORDER


Chinese dancer magnets (A4 sheet)
A$12.50
ORDER


Riley and Panda greeting card (small)
A$2.90
ORDER


Riley and Panda greeting card (A6)
A$5.50
ORDER

TO ORDER: Simply send an email outlining your order. Payment accepted by paypal (including credit card) or request bank account details with your order. Paypal preferred.

Appearance in Sunday Canberra Times

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Fantastic to have the Shop Handmade opening appear in the Sunday Canberra Times. A full page social article by Lyn Mills pinpointed one of the many highlights of the evening - Barbie Robinson gadding about in one of Gypsy Tutus' creations.

I am writing Handmade's new book - handmade living.

Introducing my newest project... handmade living!

I am thrilled and proud to announce my latest writing project - the next stunning instalment in the Handmade Market name - its first ever publication.... handmade living.

Working closely with the lovely Handmade mastermind, Julie Nichols, I am beside myself to be compiling and writing this stunning new book - encompassing all I love and desire. Beauty. Whimsy. Style. Inspiration.

Totally inspired by the huge success of both Handmade Market and Shop Handmade, handmade living. will be a glamorous, hardcover book jam-packed with stunning photographs, glorious products and projects, how-tos and heavenly inspiration.

You can see more at the website. Handmade bliss.

Book Chook Review of Riley and the Dancing Lion

Huge thanks to the Book Chook for a fantastic review of Riley and the Dancing Lion! I love Susan's informative and highly creative site and am thrilled to be featured.

Amazing Australians Talk at Good Shepherd Primary School, Canberra

I had the most 'amazing' time at Good Shepherd Primary School here in Canberra at one of the funnest events I've ever had the fortune to be involved in.

The children are doing a unit on Amazing Australians - people they admire or are inspired by, and who have contributed to society in a lasting way.

These year 6 kids also dressed the part, coming along as their most admired Amazing Australian. No surprise that over 60% of the classmates came as sportspeople! but there were also people from the arts, business (there was a Dick Smith!) and the literary world... a world I was speaking on.

I had to talk about Amazing Australians who inspired me and how I felt authors, illustrators and other literary figures contribute to our community. It was great fun and the kids had some intriguing questions afterwards.

I just loved this fantastic addition to this school's curriculum and hope the kids have been as inspired as I was. Thank you to Luke Maher for having me!

Book Reading at MissChief Maker's Easter Event, Canberra

It was an absolutely divine Easter Sunday at Rodney's Nursery in Canberra, where families converged to celebrate with an egg hunt, Easter bonnet parade, colouring competition, sausage sizzle and all things chocolate-coated. Katie Dawson from MissChief Maker threw this event to raise funds for the 4TylerFames Fund, and around eighty kids enjoyed a perfect sunshiney afternoon of fun and games.

Whilst intrepid egg-layers set about laying their finest foiled chocolate treats, I kept the kids busy outside the MissChief Maker shop (below left) with a story-reading of Riley and the Sleeping Dragon. Then it was off and running for treasure. Well done, Katie!

See more here.

Interview on Really Good Stuff

I was really thrilled to be interviewed for a wonderful site in the US called Really Good Stuff. The site is an extensive and very impressive teacher resource that offers 'fun and creative teaching tools for today's classroom'.

My piece actually appeared in The Teacher's Lounge blog, run by the incomparable Brandi Jordan, one of the most prolific writers I know. She really covers an amazing array of fascinating blog posts that make or wonderful reading, whether you're a teacher or parent.

Brandi is also giving away a copy of Riley and the Dancing Lion and the responses are already pouring in.

Mention in City News for MissChief Maker Easter Event

Really fantastic to see City News run a little piece on Katie Dawson's (MissChief Maker) wonderful Easter event at Rodney's nursery on Easter Sunday. You can read more about the event here.

The Riley Product Line Begins

Just thrilled with these handmade magnets I created today, thanks to the amazing stylings of illustrator Kieron Pratt. These gorgeous magnets will be exclusively available at Shop Handmade, opening here in Canberra next Friday 16 April. Or online if you click here and ask for a set.