We will be taking a break until late January 2016.
Merry Christmas to all our readers! We hope you have some good books waiting for you on your holiday reading pile …
Category: Events
Top ten reasons to attend a book launch
If you’ve never been to a book launch, add it to your ‘To Do’ list now!
In no particular order, here are our top ten reasons to go along to a book launch:
- MEETING THE TALENT. Meet the author and illustrator.
- NEW BOOKS. Buy your own copy AND READ IT while it’s hot off the press.
- BOOK SIGNINGS — get the book signed by the author or illustrator (or both!).
- INSTANT FAME! While the author or illustrator is signing your book is the perfect time to take a photo. Get in the photo too. Famous!
- THE DOOR PRIZE. Not every book launch offers a door prize, but some do! You could win stuff just by turning up.
- TALENT SPOTTING. Keep your eyes open for other authors and illustrators in the crowd. While you’re waiting to have your book signed you might even chat to one standing in the queue in front of you. More photos!
- IMPRESS YOUR TEACHER. You can impress everyone by talking about the book launch during ‘News’ in class the next day. (The new book makes a good prop, especially if you had it signed. And of course, everyone will admire photos of you with VIP authors and illustrators.)
- HANDY TIPS. The book creators will usually talk about where their ideas came from. That could be handy for your own writing or illustrating. (Plus you’ll learn what to put in a Book Launch Speech for when you are launching your own book someday.)
- MORE NEW BOOKS. Buy another copy. And another one. Ask the author or illustrator to sign it “To [your friend’s name]”. Birthday presents sorted!
- BOOK LAUNCH CAKE. Quite often there’s cake. Who doesn’t like cake?
Keen to go to your first book launch? Good news! There are book launches happening all over the country. Check out the BOOKISH EVENTS tab on our blog for news of upcoming book launches near you.
Upcoming School Holiday Events (NSW)
The next school holidays aren’t far away. If you live in NSW, we’ve heard that The Children’s Bookshop will be hosting some fabulous school holiday workshops for young readers, writers and actors.
Workshop 1: Deborah Abela — The Secret to Writing Great Stories (For students in Years 3–6)
Join Deb for a morning of writing fun as she reveals the secret to creating your own great stories. Then stay to celebrate the launch of New City, the sequel to her bestselling book, Grimsdon. Food and drink provided!
When: Monday 29 September 2014, 9–12-30pm
Cost: $50 per student . All materials are provided. Book early!
—
Workshop 2: Geoffrey McSkimming — Character Building (for children in Grades 5–8)
Join Geoffrey McSkimming, author of the Cairo Jim chronicles and the new Phyllis Wong mysteries, for a fun morning looking at how to create and flesh-out characters.
When: Tuesday 30 September 2014, 9–12-30pm
Cost: $50 per student. All materials provided. Book early!
—
Workshop 3: (Where’s) Wally Comes to Beecroft!(For Children Ages 5-7)
Share the stories and adventures of Wally from the Where’s Wally series. Lots of craft and art activities for the kids and a Where’s Wally show bag! Wally will be visiting and the kids will be asked to find Wally in Beecroft at the end of the workshop.
When: Wednesday, 1 October 2014, 9–11am, then a Search for Wally between 11–11-30am with prizes!
Cost: $30 per student. All materials provided. Book early.
—
Work 4: The Tangled Tricks of Twelfth Night (For Students in Years 3–7)
Run by our resident drama teacher and Shakespeare enthusiast! A drama workshop full of fun and creativity — come and play with one of Shakespeare’s great comedies and discover Disguise, Fools, Forgery and Yellow Stockings. A hands-on and FUN workshop!
When: Thursday 2 October 204, 9–12-30pm
—
RSVP for any of these workshops: to The Children’s Bookshop, 6 Hannah Street, Beecroft. Ph. 9481 8811
Bob Graham exhibition
If you love picture books and you can get to Canberra — here’s an exhibition you really must see!
Bob Graham is one of our favourite illustrators. You’ll recognise his artwork from picture books like How to Heal a Broken Wing, Let’s Get a Pup, Max … and heaps more. Now you can see his work in an exhibition, including sketch books, manuscripts, memorabilia and illustrations. Items in the exhibition have been selected from his studio and from the Lu Rees Archives at the University of Canberra.
Where: Canberra Museum and Gallery, cnr London Circuit & Civic Square, Canberra City
When: From Sat 17 May until Sunday 24 August
Over the next few months, you can meet Bob Graham, take art workshops and sign up for school holiday workshops. Find out more at the Museum and Galleries website.
Happy International Book Giving Day!
Today is International Book Giving Day (and Valentine’s Day — but we’re all about the books!). We’ll be donating books today and our editor will be giving books to family and friends.
If you plan on giving a book to someone (or leaving a book in a waiting room or lobby) you might like to include this cool IBGD bookmark inside the book. It’s free to download and print it.
Happy International Book Giving Day!
Author event with Aleesah Darlison (WA)
Details:
Meet author Aleesah Darlison!
Saturday 22 February 2014 at Westbooks, 396 Mill Point Rd, Victoria Park WA 6100.
9.30am bubs to 4 year olds — an exciting Where’s Wally hunt and readings from some great picture books by Aleesah Darlison (Puggle’s Problem, Bearly There and Warambi). Morning tea provided.
11am 7 to 12 year olds — Where’s Wally hunt, activities and readings from Aleesah Darlison’s Ash Rover Keeper of the Phoenix and I Dare You, with some arty entertainment and morning tea.
RSVP to reception@westbooks.com.au or phone 9361 4211.
International Book Giving Day (February 14)
Family-friendly activities at the State Library of WA
Picture a Story Family Day
Explore the magic of picture books with your child at a fun family day at the State Library of Western Australia.
Join a magical story-time before taking part in the host of art activities on offer.
Kids will love creating artworks to hang in our tiny gallery. They’ll also learn new drawing techniques from local illustrators and create a small book to take home. Don’t forget to visit the fabulous fairy tale photo booth to have your picture taken!
Before you leave, purchase picture books from the State Library Shop and have them signed by the illustrators themselves.
The Family Day is a wonderful opportunity to explore the world of picture books illustrations with your little ones.
When: Saturday 2 November.
Join a special storytime from 10.30am and fun family activities from 11.00am to 1.30pm.
Where: The Place, Mezzanine Floor, State Library of Western Australia (25 Francis Street Northbridge, WA)
Recommended for: Children aged 6+ and their families. Younger siblings are also welcome.
Cost: Free
Bookings: Not required
More info: visit the State Library of WA website
—
Picture a Story Exhibition
The Picture a Story Family Day is being held as part of the Picture a Story exhibition which is taking place from 2 November 2013 to 27 February 2014. On display throughout The Gallery (Ground Floor) and The Place are original illustrations from Australian picture books from the 1970s to today.
When: 2 November 2013 – 27 February 2014
Where: The Gallery, Ground Floor and The Place, Mezzanine Floor, State Library of Western Australia (25 Francis Street Northbridge, WA)
Entry is FREE. Open during library hours.
WA event: Book launch of LIGHT HORSE BOY
Don’t miss this family-friendly event at the State Library of WA on 4 April 2013 — the launch of Light Horse Boy by Dianne Wolfer. It’s a companion book to Lighthouse Girl and it’s a brilliant book for older readers. (We’ll be posting a review of Light Horse Boy here soon — but you can check out some sample pages on the publisher’s website in the meantime.)
Meet the author of the Dragonkeeper series (NSW)
If you love the Dragonkeeper series* and you live in NSW—here’s your chance to meet the author, Carole Wilkinson over afternoon tea!
Where: The Children’s Bookshop, 6 Hannah St, Beecroft NSW
When: Monday 11 February 2013
Time: 4-30 to 5-30pm (Afternoon tea provided!)
Cost: FREE but bookings are essential!
RSVP Essential: phone 9481 8811 or email staff@thechildrensbookshop.com.au
* One of our Undercover Readers Club members reviewed Blood Brothers from the series. You can read the review here.
Alphabet Soup 