We’re very pleased to introduce you to Annette Flexman, the newest member of our illustration team! Annette joins Greg Mitchell, who has been our sole (and hardworking!) illustrator since issue 1.
We asked Annette to tell us a bit about herself. And here’s what she said:
I discovered I loved drawing in early primary school. I remember drawing lots of farm animals, as we had lots of pets at home, and then moved on to space ships and space creatures as I got older!
I recently discovered watercolour pencils which are just fantastic to work with. I’m very excited about joining the Alphabet Soup team, especially because I get to read all those fantastic stories and poems from the young readers out there!
You can see a sample of Annette’s artwork up at the top of the post there. She’s been very busy with pencils, paper and scissors flying – getting pages ready for issue 4 (out mid-August 2009). Don’t miss it!
Greg Mitchell has been very busy, and we’re currently adding his illustrations to the upcoming issue of Alphabet Soup. Issue 2 is due in February 2009 and includes an interview with Duncan Ball (author of the Selby books), an article about scuba diver Liz Brodie, book reviews, stories, poems, kids’ writing, a crossword and a kids’ writing competition!
For more information about the magazine (or to find out how to subscribe), see www.alphabetsoup.net.au and stay tuned!
Greg Mitchell is our talented illustrator! (The header for this blog is taken from one of his drawings.)
Greg and his wife Kate are Education Consultants and somehow Greg finds time to draw all the illustrations for the magazine as well! We send Greg pages from the magazine with just the text. He draws all his pictures on white paper and posts them to us. We can then scan his drawings and place them exactly where we want them on each page of the magazine (and enlarge or reduce them if we need to).
Perth editor and mother-of-three, Rebecca Newman, has launched Alphabet Soup magazine for primary-school aged kids who love books and reading. Rebecca started work on the magazine 18 months ago, after she was unable to find a suitable magazine for her young daughter, who is an avid reader.
Schools, children’s libraries and early childhood educators have been enthusiastic about issue 1. Specialist literacy educators have previously imported similar publications from Canada and the USA — while despairing at the lack of a local product. Alphabet Soup magazine, with a section devoted to showcasing children’s writing, has found a ready-made readership.
‘Alphabet Soup will be very popular with children who love books, and already write their own stories,’ commented primary school teacher, Paulina Sweeney. ‘But magazines like this are also valuable for kids struggling with literacy. Seeing their writing in print gives a huge boost to their confidence, and that flows into their schoolwork.’
The magazine is not limited to children’s own work. ‘I aim to help kids develop a love of reading and literature, from a young age,’ says Mrs Newman. ‘I want to expose children to a variety of writing styles and genres … and also to give parents some ideas about suitable books for their children. There are many excellent children’s authors writing quality literature — but it’s not always easy for parents to know where to start.’
Inside issue 1, readers will find:
•   Q&A with children’s author, Jackie French
•   An interest article — interview with a WA bushfire brigade firefighter
•   Stories, poems and book reviews for children (by adults)
•   A crossword
•   A kids’ writing competition
•   6 pages of kids’ writing (stories, poems and book reviews)
Greg Mitchell’s colourful and quirky illustrations round out a really fun read!
Alphabet Soup is published quarterly and can be ordered online (www.alphabetsoup.net.au), or by sending address details with a cheque or money order to the publisher.
Free postage and handling until 31 December 2008 for all orders with Australian delivery addresses. Contact the editor for postage and handling costs to addresses outside Australia.
illustration team! Annette joins Greg Mitchell, who has been our sole (and hardworking!) illustrator since issue 1.
alphabetsoup.net.au 