Riley and the Grumpy Wombat: Sneak Peek

What are Riley, Panda, Lion, Koala and Dragon peeking at?
Whatever it is, it's grumpy!

Event: IWD Beautiful Strength

I love country towns. I love them for the contrasts - for the surprises and beauty they have in store. And my recent trip to Cowra was no exception.

Travelling 2.5 hours north of Canberra to this large country town for an International Women's Day event and school visits was an inspirational experience, especially the spectacular Beautiful Strength event organised by local dynamo Kylie Wood, where I was guest speaker.

Cowra School Visits

As part of my Cowra visit on the weekend, it was so much fun to be able to fit in some school visits and book readings. First was a visit to childcare centre - Carinya - to meet the kids and read Riley and the Curious Koala. It was so adorable to see the kids search for Koala amongst the pages and I just loved their comments. Huge thanks to Susan Callaghan for such an amazing author display! and book signing, and for being so sweet.

Then it was on to Cowra Public School, who have been around an astonishing 153 years - more than many city schools. I read to grade 4 and 5 kids and then did a powerpoint presentation on how I put the Riley books together. They were so attentive and asked some great questions. Then they presented me with a very special mug which is just so super cool, I think I have now become a mug addict. Here it is sitting on my desk with Panda (from the Riley books) snuggled inside . . . Huge thanks to the lovely Sheridan Oborn for making me feel so welcome.

Next was Mulyan Public School - the largest school in Cowra, where I met with the years 3 and 5 kids (who will all be completing NAPLAN this year) in their school hall. They were such a well-behaved bunch of kids - enjoying a reading then my presentation on book creation. I just love it when kids think outside the square, and these kids came up with some great responses and questions. Half of them then pounced on me for autographs and my very first - ever - signing of hats and even a football! Thanks so much to principal John Smith for having me!

I loved my Cowra visits and would love to go back again - it was an inspiring time and most of all, I had a lot of fun.

Riley and the Grumpy Wombat: A journey around Melbourne

Coming in 2011...

Riley and the Grumpy Wombat:
A journey around Melbourne (Ford Street Publishing)

Why is she so grumpy? You'll soon find out why... Riley's adventure to Melbourne is the fourth book in the Riley travelogue series. Learn more about the first three while you wait... IF you can wait...

Riley and the Sleeping Dragon: A journey around Beijing

Riley and the Dancing Lion: A journey around Hong Kong

Riley and the Curious Koala: A journey around Sydney

Cowra Guardian Profile for International Women's Day Event

Wonderful to be featured in the Cowra Guardian for the Beautiful Strength International Women's Day Event being held in Canberra on 13 March 2011. Hope to see you there!

handmade living in Shop4Kids magazine!

How utterly thrilling to open one of our favourite Australian mags, Shop 4 Kids, and see Shop Handmade on page 39, along with a mention of handmade living! Handmade bliss.

handmade living in Embroidery & Cross Stitch magazine

What a beautiful write-up on handmade living in Embroidery & Cross Stitch magazine! Many thanks to the editors for including our beautiful book in the mag - we've already had even more inquiries about the book since this went live! Handmade bliss.

Great Celebrity Book Auction

A signed copy of Riley and the Dancing Lion is up for bids in the Great Celebrity Book Auction to encourage reading and raise funds for literacy programmes at Kyilla Primary School, a small Government school of 200 students in North Perth, Western Australia.

I so love this initiative. In 2010 the children and families of Kyilla wrote to people they admired asking them to donate a book that has influenced them and to write in it why it is important.

I wrote . . . "The Riley series is important to me because it aims to take kids on a tour of the world - opening their minds and hearts to the cultural experiences of this vast and beautiful planet.  Travel is everything to me and I hope the bearer of this book has a life filled with glorious travel and adventure."

Get bidding and help raise funds for literacy!

National Simultaneous Storytime

On Wednesday 25 May at 11am, schools, centres and libraries around the country will be taking part in the National Simultaneous Storytime - a glorious event to celebrate the joy of reading.

This year, I'm delighted to take part by reading Feathers for Phoebe by Rod Clements at Canberra Civic Library. I adore this book and it will be so much fun to read it to the kids and take part in some feathery activities.

Why don't you bring the kids along? Stay tuned for more information.

We nominted Feathers for Phoebe as our favourite book of the year over at Kids Book Review and you can read our review right here.

Event: Book Reading at Government House Open Day

click to enlarge

I'm delighted to be reading my books, once again, at Government House Open Day in Canberra this Sunday 6 March 2011.

This amazing family event is in support of the Smith Family - there will be loads of glorious things to do and see including pony rides, crafts, stalls, music, activities and of course the amazing opportunity to take a peek inside Government House.

I'll be reading at 11am at the storytelling marquee - along with a gaggle of other talented authors and illustrators.

Bring the kids along and say hi! With over 70,000 people at last year's event - let's make this year's even bigger!

Event: International Women's Day in Cowra

The amazing Kylie Wood has pulled together a superb International Women's Day Event in Cowra, New South Wales, in support of the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia. International Women's Day falls on March 8 - and will celebrate 100 years of supporting women worldwide.

I'm thrilled to be speaking at the event, and will be talking about how vital it is that women have the courage to follow their dreams and do what they love. If you're in the region, come along to this gorgeous high tea and celebrate the strength and power of women - especially country women... who know all about hard work and challenges.

You can RSVP to Kylie on 0427 453 274 - hope to see you there~!