Nature Themed Kids Books

As an early childhood educator with a deep love for the natural world, I have always found joy in exploring the wonders of nature with young children and encouraging an interest in sustainability. From gardening with my parents and nature crafts with my kindy mates, to immersing myself in the beauty of the bush with…

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IMAGINING THE FUTURE

Late last year, I was contacted by Dan who is a Producer of a fascinating initiative of the Federal Government called Future You. I am a staunch advocate of any program that promotes diversity and sustainability and also gets our kids thinking about the future and their ability to have a positive impact. Future You aims…

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Books for the Dark Times

I recently presented a keynote speech for the Australian Publishing Association. Authors, booksellers and publishers, all in the same room.  It was a really special event.  I spoke about two VERY diverse subjects – Books In Crisis and Reading for Joy.  This blog is a focus on the former – of which we’re all very…

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Call for Submissions

Call for Submissions In 2023, Affirm Press will publish an anthology about teachers and their capacity to shape the lives of those they educate. The power of an exceptional teacher cannot be underestimated. Sometimes it is not about what they taught you, but how they made you feel as a person. This will be an…

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Gifts Which are Literary & Lovely 2022

The lovely bits and pieces in this post are gift ideas for colleagues, friends, family and teachers – a bit of a mash up of all the things I love, and I think you will also love. They are not sponsored ideas, though some links are affiliate links (which cost the buyer nothing) and which support…

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MEET AURA PARKER – AUTHOR + ILLUSTRATOR

Aura Parker’s illustrations and writing always bring joy and I have so enjoyed following her journey in the kidlit space since ‘Twig’ – full review here. There’s a gentle, playful and lovely flow to all her illustrations and the detail is just fascinating! Aura’s work inspires curiosity in nature and a connection to the world…

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MEET DR GREG DICKSON

Talking to interesting people, about reading and literacy is something I could do ALL day and I had the privilege to speak with Dr Greg Dickson, who lives an incredibly interesting life in the NT advocating for and promoting indigenous literacy and indigenous language books. He’s also a tennis tragic, doctor of linguistics and now…

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Book Week Costumes for Adults

If you’re reading this then you have clearly already thought about dressing up for Book Week and are on the look out for some manageable Book Week costume ideas. I talk ad nauseam about educators and library staff being reading role models, and Book Week is one of those times in the school year where…

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Kids Costumes for Book Week

If you are reading this then you probably fall within one of two camps – loving prepping your kids Book Week costumes or utterly dreading/loathing/resenting prepping Book Week costumes! I am the former. I have vivid childhood memories of planning Book Week costumes from Snugglepot to Mog. Our four kids choose their own Book Week…

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Book People: Tony Flowers on ‘Advance Australia Fair’

Tony Flowers is one of my favourite illustrators in the Australian children’s book industry and I eargerly anticipate each new project with his name on in it. His latest work is ‘Advance Australia Fair’ and I was so intrigued about the story behind this book that I asked him a few questions. As a national…

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Gifts Which are Literary & Lovely

The lovely bits and pieces in this post are gift ideas for colleagues, friends, family and teachers – a bit of a mash up of all the things I love, and I think you will also love. They are not sponsored ideas,  though some links are affiliate links (which cost the buyer nothing) and which…

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‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ at QPAC

I laughed, teared up (several times) and applauded enthusiastically from the first note to the final bow of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) last night. We could all do with being transported to a better place right now and the fantastical world of Wonka is absolutely the place to…

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Books for Tweens and Teens

I’ve been collecting books for tweens and teens on *all of the things* for many years now – for the various schools I have worked at and for my own children. I am not a doctor, psychologist or high school teacher (definitely no expert) but between a shelf full of books with *all of the…

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