In this issue:
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Welcome
Many schools and libraries are gearing up for Book Week, keeping Speaker's Ink staff hopping! Speaker bookings have been vigorous, so if you are planning a special event for Book Week, Science Week, Environment Day or any other occasion, 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 visiting Darwin in the week commencing Monday, 22nd July. If you are based in that area and would like to take advantage of the fact that Brian will be in your vicinity, contact us today to arrange a booking. No travel costs will apply!!
Engaging, funny and insightful. Great advice and guidance for our year 9 writers.
Brian took the proposal / challenge that I set him for the workshop and applied it perfectly.
He addressed the students as professionals and engaged them greatly.
His presentation was clear and concise and his inspirational words have encouraged the Year 9 students to write with passion and vigour.
We are grateful to him for his flexibility and time. Thank you, Brian!
Sheldon College - March 2019
Chris Collin will be available in South East Queensland from August 8 to 13. Chris is happy to announce that digital versions (eBook and animation) of all 4 of his books are to be published in China this year!
Staff and students thoroughly enjoyed the presentation.
Students loved his enthusiasm and animation he conveyed through the use of puppetry.
Dalby State School - July 2018
Whilst still a way off, Anita Heiss has confirmed that she will be in Perth in June, 2020 and has one date only available for a booking in the area - Friday, 19th June, 2020. If you would like to take advantage of this amazing opportunity to book Anita to present (without incurring additional travel costs), let our office know asap.
Having Anita work with our secondary students was an amazing experience for all.
Her wealth of experience, down to earth attitude and ability to connect to the students ensured success.
The over-all benefits for the students (which were numerous) ranged from lifting self-esteem to a sense of self and belonging.
Every student produced multiple writing pieces - gaining confidence as the day progressed.
The flow of the workshop was perfect – it allowed the students to build gradually to their performance piece, drawing on skills most of them did not realise they possessed!
We are already planning for her next visit! Thank You!
Catholic Education, Diocese of Bathurst - March 2019
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.
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 The Spotlight is on Tristan Bancks
Tristan Bancks is a children’s and teen author with a background in acting and film making. His books include the My Life series, Mac Slater (Australia and US) and Two Wolves (On the Run in the US), a crime-mystery novel for middle-graders. Two Wolves won Honour Book in the 2015 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards and was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards. It also won the YABBA and KOALA Children’s Choice Awards. His new novel, Detention, was launched by Megan Daley on 14 June at the Romancing the Stars event hosted by the Somerset Storyfest in association with BookLinks
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'Detention is a raw and authentic exploration of human connection. An unlikely union, Dan and Sima are confronted with some life-altering decisions as they are thrown into a very dangerous situation. The novel challenges readers to think about the complexities of a world that deems what is ‘moral’ and what is ‘legal’ as being polar opposites. It is affirming in its representation of a younger generation able to grapple with such contradiction and to stand up for what is right, and leaves readers with a sense of optimism that things might change. Tristan’s writing is gripping, his characters all-too real and his symbolic use of the Australian landscape is a powerful weapon he wields to make his readers look more closely at the world around them. In the classroom context, Detention is ideal for study in the 12-14 year age range. It has strong ties to the Australian Curriculum and its contemporary themes add a level of connection for both students and staff which will lead to discussion, debate and analysis.' -
Megan Daley, Teacher Librarian, St Aidan's Corinda, author "Raising Readers"
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Congratulations YABBA shortlisters
It's always exciting when authors receive recognition from their target audience - the kids! This is so for a number of our Speakers Inkers who have been shortlisted for the Young Australians Best Books Awards (YABBA). Congratulations to these authors pictured below (l to r) Deborah Abela, (whose work has been shortlisted an amazing 10 times!) Jacqueline Harvey, Samantha Wheeler, Tim Harris, Cath Crowley, Barry Jonsberg, Anna Ciddor, Terry Denton and Jackie French. Click here for the complete YABBA shortlist
New Books
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Two new books for Dean O'Brien (Deano Yipadee) - Ron the Royal Guard and Knock Knock
Author, storyteller and performer, Deano Yipadee (Mr Yipadee) aka Dean O'Brien, rocketed onto the Australian scene with the release of his debut book JBRS. It quickly sold out of two print runs before Christmas and shot straight to the Number One spot on the Best Sellers Children's Book Charts in NZ. It was the 5th best selling children’s book in 2016 for the entire year, even though it was out for only the last three months! The hit song accompanying the book originated from his Christmas album that climbed to Number One in the UK album charts in 2015, beating out Disney’s Now That’s What I Call Disney and Cbeebies The Album.
Deano Yipadee provided a thoroughly energetic, engaging and entertaining performance. Students enjoyed the combination of music with story telling and joined in readily. Teachers were impressed with student engagement for all the prep to year 6 classes.
Caloundra State School - August 2018
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Candice Lemon-Scott's new book Eco Rangers - Microbat Mayhem is paired with useful teaching notes
A self-confessed bookworm, Candice Lemon-Scott is a Gold Coast-based author, editor, freelance writer and workshop facilitator. Candice enjoys writing stories about turbo space cars, hurtling asteroids and evil villains. Her quirky style, fast-paced narratives and originality appeal to reluctant boy readers in particular and are written for kids aged 7-10.
Candice was very easy to communicate with. She worked with three large groups of students from Years 1-6 with ease. The activities she had planned were engaging and the students gave positive feedback to their teachers after the visit.
Aspley East State School - August 2018
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Dates for your Diary
“Here are three useful things to know about naked mole rats: 1. They are a little bit rat. 2. They are a little bit mole. 3. They are all naked.”
– Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, Mo Willems
Yours in promoting literacy from all at the Speakers Ink team,
Sandie, Margie, Jan, Lia, Rob and James
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