In this issue:

Welcome

As well as literary awards, many of our speakers have written books which have won awards from environmental groups, and Speech Pathologists, as well as having many other links to the curriculum, for example in the areas of History (HASS) or Science. A speaker visit can inspire students in many areas of their learning. 

In line with this, speaker bookings have been vigorous, so if you are planning a special event, please be sure to contact our office via a website enquiry, email or phone call (all contact details are on our website).

Many of our speakers have new books launching soon, check out the details below.

Voices on the Move 

Brian Falkner will be touring around Warwick in SE Queensland around the first week in April and would love to come to inspire young readers and writers at your school or library.
 

Brian is a master of his craft and is able to transfer that knowledge to the
young writers in an engaging and highly productive way. 

Rainworth State School - June 2018
 

Deborah Abela has also opened up a second week to visit Brisbane - the week commencing Monday, 20th May.

Deborah's presentation was engaging and fun. Younger students enjoyed Deb's storytelling, while upper grades were captivated with her personal family connection in her story "Teresa".
Children and staff have continued to share their enjoyment of our day with Deborah.

Torbanlea State School - August 2018

Of course we have a number of inspiring speakers visiting to Brisbane and elsewhere over the coming months - check out all the up-to-date details on our Touring Speakers page.

The Spotlight is on Martin Chatterton

An engaging and comedic speaker, Martin Ed Chatterton has been writing, illustrating and performing successfully around the world for the last thirty years appearing extensively at schools, festivals, conferences,TV and radio in the UK, Australia, India, China and the USA. His books for children and adults have been published in more than a dozen languages, and have won or been shortlisted in multiple awards in the UK, US and Australia. He is available for bookings, check out the website for details.   a breath of creative fresh air . . . -Ipswich Grammar

Congratulations Jess Black, Karen Foxlee and Miša Alexander

Jess Black and Karen Foxlee have had their books longlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) Book of the Year for Younger children. The Short List for the ABIA will be announced on April 7. Jess's book, Tales of Mr Walker is also a CBCA Notable for Younger Readers while Karen's book, Lenny's Book of Everything is a notable in the CBCA Older Reader category. The CBCA Short List will be announced on March 26. Best of luck to you both!
 
Miša Alexander is the proud recipient of the Harper Collins Children's Publishers Emerging Illustrator Award. She has collaborated with Erin Knutt to create the beautiful picture book Fergus and Delilah. Congratulations!

 

  

 

New Creations Launched!

Julie Fison has published her first play titled As the Crow Flies. This is a modern adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth, with Brisbane's murky colonial past invading the present and bringing with it an air of Gothic menace. As the Crow Flies explores the themes of ambition, consequences and identity. It delves into Australia's sporting culture and the pressure on young people to succeed. Now available at Australian Plays.
 

Matt Porter has a new book out titled The Greatest Book in the World: a laugh-out loud read where the narrator speaks directly to readers while attempting to create The Greatest Book in the World! Rudolf Wordsmith requests that readers finish his rhyming couplets and admonishes them when they’re tricked into supplying a ‘rude’ rhyme.

Dates for your Diary

	19 Mar	KidsLitQuiz on the Gold Coast
	20-22 Mar	Somerset Storyfest on the Gold Coast
	26 Mar	CBCA Short List announced at noon AEST
	20 Apr	Peter Carnavas will launch his new book A Quiet Girl at Riverbend Books (Qld) at 4:00pm
	31 May-2 June	Children's Book Council of Australia 13th National Conference, Canberra. The theme is 'And Now They're Laughing'. Early-bird registrations close 22 March.

"So many things are possible, as long as you don't know they're impossible"
- The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton Juster