In this issue:

Welcome

The CBCA Short List was announced last Tuesday and we are now looking forward to Book Week, when we will find out the winners and honour books. This year's theme is "Reading is my Secret Power". 

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 the Casino area in Northern NSW the week commencing Monday, 3rd June and would love to come to inspire young readers and writers at your school or library.  In you would like to consider a booking with Brian, please make contact with our office.
 

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, 15th July and only has one date still available - Monday, 15th July.  If you would like to book Deborah for this day, please make contact with our office.

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 Lorraine Marwood

Lorraine Marwood is both an accomplished literary and children's poet and children's / YA author. Her latest book, Leave Taking, is shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year award, Younger Reader category. Lorraine has five collections of poems published for children, the latest being Guinea Pig town and Other Poems About Animals. Lorraine is based in Bendigo, Victoria and writes from a rural and regional background. She has a passion for the history of the goldfields as reflected in Ratwhiskers and Me. Her work was recognised with her verse novel Star Jumps winning the 2010 Prime Minister's award, children's section. In July 2018 Lorraine's opinion piece Lord Will I Die? appeared in The Guardian Australia. It describes how her own journey through cancer inspired her to write her latest book Leave Taking. Leave Taking tells the  story of out a boy called Toby whose family are packing up and leaving their family farm after the death of Toby’s younger sister, Leah. Listen to Lorraine's interview on ABC Radio Brisbane which describes this journey.

Lorraine was a fantastic speaker. She gave the students ideas of how poets work and ran a workshop to practise the skills, so there was a good balance between the theory and the practise which is better for primary students. Her introductory session was also informative and her reading of the poems was good. Just having the opportunity to meet a writer and poet is an experience too. 

 - Lowther Hall Anglican School, October, 2013.


      

Congratulations CBCA Short Listers

As mentioned, Lorraine Marwood's  book Leave Taking has been shortlisted by the CBCA. Other Speakers Inkers who have been honoured are Coral Tulloch (Bouncing Back, text, Rohan Cleave), Dub Leffler (Sorry Day, text Coral Vass) and Karen Foxlee (Lenny's Book of Everything). Congratulations to these creators and all the talented writers, illustrators and poets whose work has been recognised.
 

New Book

Peter Carnavas will launch his new book A Quiet Girl at Riverbend Books, Brisbane on 20 April at 4.00 pm.

Peter has written and illustrated many picture books, including Jessica’s Box, Last Tree in the City, and The Children Who Loved Books.  His novel, The Elephant, won the 2018 Queensland Literary Award for Best Children’s Book and was shortlisted in three other national awards, including the CBCA Awards. 
 

Dates for your Diary

	6 Apr	Opening of "Off the Page" an exhibition of original children's book illustrations and a Family Fun Day at the Centre Beaudesert (Qld). Exhibition continues until 12 June.
	24 May	Bruce Pascoe presents the Narelle Oliver lecture at the State Library of Queensland 7.00 pm. More information at Book Links (Qld) Inc.
	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.
	16 Aug	CBCA Book of the Year award winners and honour books announced at noon AEST.