Adventures in KidLitLand Episode 1 2024

It's the beginning of March! Is it too late to say Happy New year? I've been slow to start my kidlit adventure-writing, so now there is much to celebrate!

On Tuesday the CBCA longlist for the Book of the Year was announced. The books on this list get to be called ‘Notable Book,’ which I think is great! And guess what? Anchored was on that list! And not just once, but twice!! In the Early Reader and Picture Book categories. Did you spot the shiny sticker on this photo (left)? Doesn't it look smart?! :-) I was at the announcement event hosted by CBCA NSW Branch at Writing NSW, where Aura Parker entertained the crowd with her fabulous artwork and sense of humour. It was such fun and there was much merry-making!!
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It was wonderful to see many of my friends on the list too. Some with even two or three books on the list! Special mention must go to Jodie McLeod and Eloise Short. It’s not very often a self-published, crowd funded book gets on the list, like The Black Cockatoo with One Feather Blue has this year! Fabulous recognition for this beautiful book. It's hard for self published authors to have their books looked at and stocked in bookshops and libraries, do I hope this recognition helps Black Cockatoo fly.

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Aura delivering her witty speech

Image thanks to Rachel at Gleebooks

Goofy face with fellow Notable Fiona Lloyd

Talking of joy, there were smiles all round at the launch of Megan Daley and Max Hamilton’s picture book, The Beehive at Gleebooks recently. The kidlit community was out in force and the books were flying off the shelves. It was the first time I’ve actually met Megan in person, having followed her on social media and listening to her and Al Tait on the Your Kids Next Read Podcast. If you are a children’s book lover and you haven’t tuned into the podcast before, you’re in for a treat! I especially enjoyed the Christmas holiday mini episodes where Al spoke with kidlit industry professional each week. The book designer was especially illuminating as we don’t often hear from their perspective.

A launch I didn't get to was Belinda Murrell's new junior fiction series, The Daredevil Princess, who is ‘Bold and brave, clever and curious, daring and determined.' This sounds like such a fun, adventurous series that I would have loved as a child - complete with two golden dachshund friends! 
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Another new book to celebrate has been the Just Write For Kids community publication of Our Australian HeART. Brainchild of Romi Sharp, this is a picture book bursting with colour! A different illustrator each spread gives an artistic representation of a part of Australia that they love. It’s a glorious way to help children open their eyes to the country we live in, as well as different artistic styles and representations. So clever! And best of all, the sales raise money for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation! The cover illustration sits perfectly alongside The Beehive!!

With Max (L) and Megan (R)

Flower Rachel with her Quiz

Why is Nat Amoore biting flower Rachel????

​In January, I took a little holiday to Hobart, and was delighted to find tug boats tied up right outside my hotel!! They were so close, I could pat them! It was such fun, watching them and the people who cared for them each day. I may not have seen much else of Hobart!! I even saw one do a pirouette! It was so lovely also, being emersed in the world of Kate Gordon’s Whale Song, which I read a while ago. I got excited when I spied some places in the book, and could imagine the characters there.
Talking about Kate, I see she has a new book coming out in the award-winning Aster series. These are gorgeous books, full of heart and I do recommend you look out for Esme in the Limelight, with Yellow Brick Books.

Also in the holidays, I had the joy of spending time with children and parents at Penrith Library and Eden Gardens nursery, for special holiday storytimes. The Eden gardens event was with Ashling Kwok, who’s latest picture book with Anchored’s Illustrator, Arielle Li, Butterfly Girl, was a perfect fit for a garden nursery. 

At Penrith library

With Ashling Kwok at Eden Gardens Nursery

We had such fun together, singing and dancing and reading our books. So much fun that I temporarily forgot something very sad that happened…

Do you have a tissue or hanky handy?

In January we said a final farewell to StoryHound Archie: irrepressible, irreplaceable bundle of pure joy, and loved by many in the kidlit community for his zany book reviews on Instagram. If you want the full tear-jerking tribute to my best buddy, you can find it on my Instagram page.

But I can’t finish this news wallowing in sadness, so I can tell you that we will hopefully be welcoming a new furry friend into our family soon! Not to replace Archie (note- ‘irreplaceable,’ above!) but because love is not finite, it expands and embraces others in its path, and that path is leading us to a little rescue dog, who I hope to introduce to you soon.

So the things I am looking forward to until next time are:

Welcoming said furry friend.

The announcement of the CBCA shortlist (fingers crossed!!)

Launch of Nat Amoore’s new Junior Fiction series, Showerland, 9th March in the newly renovated Gleebooks.

The launch of Arna Radovich’s book of short stories (not for children this time) in the Blue Moutains.

So until then, I'll leave you with that tug doing a pirouette! 

All the very best,

​Debra