Out and about with the CBCA

I've been to some wonderful events recently, all courtesy of the Children's Book Council of Australia. Here are the highlights:

1. A gathering to view the Shaun Tan Exhibition at the Grace Cossington Smith Gallery within Abbotsleigh School. The exhibition focus was on The Lost Thing and the production of the movie from the book.  Amazing detail in Shaun Tan's notes.

2. The announcement of the Book Of the Year Award in Sydney. I was mesmerised by the Great 'Hall of Fame' created by The School Magazine 100 years of covers. I was laughing at the hilarious introduction by Nathan Luff who got the audience to imagine a big-budget awards production despite the reality :). The proceedings were given an air of dignity by the presence of Govenor-General Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove. And I was awe-struck at the glitterati of authors, illustrators and publishers. It was a thrill to be there for the announcements!

3. Lunch With the Stars. Always a wonderful event put on by the Northern Sydney Sub-branch and organised by the amazing Belinda Murrell. This is my second time of being a STAR! 22 authors/illustrators sitting at tables of school children and chatting about reading and writing. I sat with some gorgeous girls from St Mary's Manly and their teacher Librarian. It was inspiring listening to the amazing Deb Abella and trying our hand at illustration under the direction of Marjory Crosby-Fairall. And lunch wasn't bad either - in the great hall of the old St Patrick's seminary, Manly, now the International College of Management. 

So as you can see, I've not been missing in action - just in action. The children's book industry is a delightful space within which to loose yourself - but I think it's time to find myself again - and get writing...