Ipswich kidslitfest blog

FESTIVAL WINS COMMUNITY IPSWICH CITY COUNCIL AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD

2012-01-29T06:49:00.002+10:00

Paige Turner congratulates you all too

Congratulations to Jenny Stubbs and all those who volunteered their help at this year's Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature.

It's won the Community event of the Year at the Ipswich City Council Australia Day awards.

Here's the LINK if you'd like to read all about it! :)

SOME ESSENTIAL FESTIVAL STATISTICS

2011-09-18T09:56:00.002+10:00

Need any more proof that the Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature was an outstanding success? Here're the FINAL FIGURES just released.

Total number of students at venues in Ipswich and Woodlands – 6309 X 3 sessions
Plus: Number of children seen at a school session (where the author/illustrator visited a school in the area - 2318
Plus: at Esk (a small town) 300 X 3 sessions
Plus: at Bethany (another small town) 200 X 3 sessions

Total number of students who enjoyed this first-class, free Literary Festival = 9127 children
(Total number of sessions with presenters = 22, 745)

Hi to the cool kids from Lowood State School Yrs 4/5

WRITING COMPETITION WINNERS...

2011-09-16T23:01:00.023+10:00

Finally, the winners of the Festival Writing Competition for 7-12 year olds. Eight entries will each receive a book donated by, and mostly signed by the authors and illustrators who were at the Ipswich Festival. They will arrive in the mail to your school after the holidays.

The remaining entries have all won Highly Commended Prizes, a small, signed picture of Tatty Rat. The images will come by email to your school and can be downloaded and printed off by your teacher after the holidays.

The entries were all good, some very clearly caring about the planet, animals and water pollution. Banning smoking was popular, and some wanted to change the earth so there was no starvation and to see all children get an education.

One wanting to help teenagers not accepting celebrities as role models, one would like to have wealthy people donate a percentage of their money to St Vinnies.

There were entries to make people play more sport and one entry would like every Wednesday declared an international sports day. One 11 year-old would like to freeze the price of essentials so families wouldn't go broke.

Another entry would like all children to have a go-kart with a special road and a licence to drive on it so parents wouldn't have to drive them to school - it would make life easier and more fun! (Ed. Sounds good to me! Can adults-who-are-kids-at-heart do it too?)

A 9-year-old would like to stop wars, believing we should co-operate with each other and live in harmony.

Not one of the entries talked about personal gain - isn't that what they say, out of the mouth of babes comes great wisdom?

Here are our winners and their book prizes:

Daniel Vogler age 12 (Ipswich Central State School) - The Emerald Casket
Miranda Roxbury age 7 (Bulimba State School) Pippa the Perfect FLowergirl
Tyler Bland age 10 (Burpengary State School) What Body Part is That?
Christie Imms age 11 (Burpengary SS) I Am Jack
Sarah Lurie age 11 (Burpengary SS) Grimsdon
Taylah Singerl age 10 (Burpengary SS) Secrets of Eromanga
Erin Burge age 9 (Blair State School) Violet Mackerel's Remarkable Recovery
Lydia Grayson age 9 (Blair SS) Riley and the Grumpy Wombat

CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE YOUNG WRITERS AND MANY THANKS TO THEIR TEACHERS AND PARENTS WHO ENCOURAGED THEM.

FLOODED BRASSALL SCHOOL BACK ON ITS FEET

2011-09-16T10:25:00.001+10:00

Chris Cheng showing flood level marker in library

Many Queenslanders suffered in last January's devastating floods, including one of the schools who came to the Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature.

Volunteers sorting new books

Brassall State Primary School

Brassall State Primary School sits not far from Mihi Creek. At the height of the flood, some buildings were submerged up to the ceilings, others were only up to the windows, while only one block was high enough to escape any damage.

The rotting aftermath

When the floodwaters receded, the community with the aid of the army took weeks to clean up the stinking silt, garbage and driftwood.
One of the most devasting sights were the piles of rotting, mushy library books being scooped up in the buckets of graders and dumped.

Inside the library

I visited Brassall State School last week and talked to librarians and volunteers who were still covering and indexing the many thousands of new books bought with Government funding in their new library.

So it was lovely that the kids from Brassall State School made it to
the Ipswich Festival this year.

WRITING COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED TOMORROW

2011-09-15T22:18:00.004+10:00

Keep tuned for when Paige Turner announces the 8 finalists in the Festival Writing Competition tomorrow.

Paige Turner - Festival co-host

THE MANY FACES OF TANYA BATT, storyteller extraordinaire

2011-09-15T10:19:00.000+10:00

For 10 days I've roamed the Festival, listening, participating in sessions, photographing authors, illustrators in action at the Ipswich Woodlands sites and presenting four workshops myself. It's been an absolute privilege and I've enjoyed every minute of the experience.

There have been many highlights - Jeannie Baker's recount of her journey through Morocco when she wrote Mirror; Freya Blackwood's art lesson; Lesley Reece taking on the persona of Wolf in Wolf's Sunday Dinner; Kerry Brown and her sister, Michelle Pike working tandem like a well-oiled bicycle; Sarah Davis's lovely interaction with littlies; Mark Wilson's passion for endangered creatures and his lovely paintings; John Heffernan's brilliant Battle Boy presentations.

If I had to pick one presenter who most captured my imagination and admiration, it would have to be Tanya Batt. As well as an author and arts educator, Tanya is a storyteller of the first degree.

She is regarded as one of New Zealand's top storytellers and is based on the enchanted island of Waiheke Island, Aotearoa, where she is the director of the 'Once Upon an Island' Festival and Story Centre.Tanya travels the world storytelling and spreading the world of the imagination to all ages and nationalities.

In Tanya's session, I became a 5 year old again, hanging on every word, wide-eyed and bushy-tailed (a tatty one at that), just like all the other adults at that session for 5-7 year olds.

Tanya told two folk tales this session, one from Siberia and one from the Northern Territory, Australia, including children throughout the stories. I think the images here will say more than my words.

Last day at Woodlands

2011-09-15T08:52:00.004+10:00

It's another beautiful day at Woodlands as we countdown to the finish line at the Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature with only the Esk State School's Mini Writers' Festival tomorrow left.
Another 300 hundred school children rolled on to the Woodlands' site today and things were humming.

Today's line-up of authors, illustrators and storytellers included Michael Salmon, Aleesah Darlison, Clare McFadden, Meredith Costain, Lesley Reece, Sarah Davis, Leigh Hobbs, Tanya Batt, Sally Rippin, Kerry Brown, Michelle Pike, Chris Cheng and Lynelle Westlake.

Here're some of the images from today.

One of the many faces of storyteller, Tanya Batt

Sarah Davis captures the attention of squirmy Preps from Coominya State School.

Lesley Reece enthralls Years 2-3 with the story of 'Wolf's Sunday Dinner'.

Mr Peacock finally displays his finery when I have the camera with me.

The Book Garden's shop on site - better than a Lolly Shop (Candy Store).

Meredith Costain and her merry band of pirates.

Michael Salmon and the story of Bobo.

(Ed: Sorry for missing a post yesterday, I picked up the dreaded lurgy - a hazard when working with kids.)

PODCASTS - kids ask Charlie Carter questions

2011-09-13T14:44:00.002+10:00

Charlie Carter - author of the Battle Boy series

Check out the three podcasts just added in the above Podcast Page.

The Junior Roving Reporters did their job well.

Recordings are short and questions are good.

Day 8 - the Kids are Back in Town

2011-09-13T09:28:00.000+10:00

After a 'quiet' weekend of the Adults Workshops and Conference Dinner and Breakfast, it's back to a schools' day.

Excited kids spilled from buses and headed off to their author or illustrator sessions - three 1 hour sessions in a day.

Only one more Kids' Day on Tuesday and a Mini Kids Lit Festival in Esk (about an hour away on Wednesday) and the Festival is over for another two years.

Here are some images of Monday's Kids' Day at the Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature.

Kerry Brown and Michelle Pike - author and illustrator

Sally Rippin in the Chapel

Jenny Stubbs sitting down to her first cup of tea for the day

The resident peacock

DRAWING COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED...

2011-09-12T15:52:00.001+10:00

DRUMROLL!!!!!

Many thanks to all those who entered the drawing competition - Tatty Rat was most impressed!

All winners will receive a signed picture of Tatty Rat - you can frame it if you like.

Here are the winners.....

Mathew Pashley - Year 4

Ethan Bauer - Year 4

Logan - Year 4

Cade Scanlan - Year 4

Tess Haviland - aged 9

Thank you all for your entries!!

Winners, your pictures of Tatty Rat will arrive soon ... Tatty Rat wanted to deliver them by his skateboard to your school, but he rode the board into the creek at Woodlands and can't get it out.

From Sheryl

DRAWING COMPETITION WINNERS ... coming soon!

2011-09-12T14:24:00.000+10:00

Yes, I'll be posting the names and the winning pictures today! Keep tuned all you Tatty Rat fans!

TATTY RAT says 'hi' - he wanted to post this himself but his claws scratched my computer keys, groan.

THE 'TRAVELLING SUITCASES' LAUNCHED...

2011-09-12T10:49:00.000+10:00

Lesley Reece launched the project

Yesterday, during the Festival lunch, Book Links (Queensland) launched its project, The Travelling Suitcases.

Book Links (Qld) members and Lesley Reece

It's a fantastic project designed to bring authors and illustrators to children in remote or regional Queensland who can't access what their city cousins can.

Illustrator, Greg Roger's suitcase showing his rough drafts, paint brushes, posters and lots more.

These 10 suitcases contain everything needed for a teacher or teacher librarian to involve students in an in-depth study of a particular author or illustrator. Authors involved are James Moloney, Narelle Oliver, Kerry Argent, Greg Rogers and Michael Gerard Bauer. Copies of original manuscripts, published works, suggested teaching units and a DVD are included in the suitcases. Author, Pam Rushby was the project manager.

Book Links member, Sheryl Gwyther and Michael Salmon

The suitcases will be available on loan to schools throughout Queensland thus enabling small schools in remote areas to have access to authors and illustrators when an actual author visit is not financially or logistically viable.

JELLY-ROLLING IN THE CASBAH - the Festival Dinner

2011-09-12T08:05:00.004+10:00

There's no doubt about organiser, Jenny Stubbs and her band of helpers at this Festival. They’re such a creative bunch!

The theme for the Festival dinner on Saturday night was Moroccan, in honour of Jeannie Baker's book, Mirror. The main Marquee took on the appearance of a candle lit casbah, lots of silk scarves, pots of roses, belly-dancing (jelly-rolling), low cushioned couches and Moroccan backdrops. The only thing missing was a live camel.

Around 70 guests dressed in costume - some highly inventive, ate, drank, talked, jelly-rolled (ask our MC, author, Josie Montano if you're not sure what that means) the night away.

Josie Montano and Jenny Stubbs (Festival organiser)

Songster, Nadia Sunda and guitarist, Michael Fix entertained with fabulous medleys. The talented sister act, The Sunde Sisters, dressed in traditional Croatian costumes and sang a hilarious duo, Never on Sunde.

Nadia and Angela Sunde

A great celebration for all! I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

Mark Wilson and friends

Tanya Batt and friends

Pamela with John Heffernan and Narelle Oliver

Josie Montano, Deb Abela, Narelle Oliver, Aleesah Darlison

Michael Fix and Nadia Sunde

Sheryl Gwyther, Jeannie Baker, Angela Sunde

Storytelling, Songs, Words and Pictures - Ipswich Festival's weekend program

2011-09-11T22:12:00.000+10:00

Saturday saw the first day of the weekend Adults program at the Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature. Many teachers, Teacher-Librarians, children's book lovers and developing writers and illustrators arrived early and chose sessions from a fabulous line-up of writers and illustrators, storytellers and musicians.

Tanya Batt, storyteller extraordinaire shared her experiences of storytelling, story making and story sharing.

Illustrator, Freya Blackwood showed us how the medium, composition and colour can carry the emotional weight of a story. She used her much-loved books as examples, in particular, Harry and Hopper.

Sally Rippin explored the language, characters and stories of some of her best-loved fiction, in particular, Millie.

Anne Spudvilas and Leigh Hobbs combined their illustrating expertise in charcoal and line drawings to encourage participants to have a go at drawing themselves.

Charlie Carter, the author of the Battle Boy series shared his passion about drawing reluctant readers into the wonderful world of books, while still offering read enrichment to already competent readers.

Lesley (centre) with Freya Blackwood and Jenny Stubbs (Festival organiser)

Lesley Reece, Director of the Fremantle Children's Literature Centre Inc gave a very thoughtful, powerful presentation on books that have impacted upon her – in particular, Matt Otley’s, Luke’s Way of Looking. It’s about to be re-released, and I can’t wait to get one.

Performer, composer and author, Nadia Sunde helped melt away attendees’ inhibitions – so they will be able to engage children in joyful music and storytelling experiences in their own schools.

Well-loved author and experienced teacher, Deb Abela shared a pile of activities she used in her workshops to get kids excited in reading and telling their own tales. She included games and activities focussed around plot, character and language.

Lynelle Westlake, illustrator gave a hand-on workshop in drawing for those challenged by the thought of Art Classes. She followed it up by providing a step-by-step way to draw a frog, owl and echidna.

CHILDREN'S BOOKS ILLUSTRATORS RULE....

2011-09-10T08:15:00.004+10:00

I'm jumping ship... I wanna be an illustrator of children's books!! Yes, I'm being totally disloyal to my chosen profession as an author. But such was the calibre of illustrators at the Conference, even I could be turned! They included Anne Spudvilas, Greg Holfeld, Sarah David, Jeannie Baker, Leigh Hobbs and Freya Blackwood.

Anne shared her wonderful artist's journals of charcoal and ink drawings she used while drawing The Peasant Prince.

Anne Spudvilas

Greg's talk focussed on Reading Pictures - picture books versus graphic novels (lots of audience participation too).

Greg Holfeld

Sarah Davis

Sarah examined how text and image work together to create meaning and involved lots of practical hands-on activities that will help teachers and T-Ls to analyse and create visual narratives with students.

Leigh Hobbs

Leigh focussed on creating unique characters and what to do with them. Lots of laughing!
Jeannie's workshop focussed on making collages and collage picture books as a medium of expression for children.

Jeannie Baker

I attended Freya's workshop. She shared how she created her gorgeous illustrations for Harry and Hopper and several other books. Freya even demonstrated her method of drawing a child so we could do it ourselves (well, attempt to do it ourselves). She's a very good teacher and we managed to produce something - my effort is at the bottom of this page (just the head as I didn't master body proportions, lol). A great workshop!
I wish I could take Freya home with me.

Freya Blackwood

It was a perfect day for beginning or developing illustrators to learn from some of Australia's best children's books illustrators. Where were you??

Pity the legs went off the page!

Here's my effort at illustrating in Freya Blackwood's workshop. I'm going to practice every day from now on ... when I finish that final draft, and tackle that other third draft and ...

ONE DAY ILLUSTRATION CONFERENCE

2011-09-09T11:35:00.001+10:00

Coming to you LIVE from the Illustration Conference.

Mirror - Jeannie Baker
Today, participants gather in the Ipswich Civic Centre today for the 1-Day Illustration Conference -T/Librarians, writers, illustrators and children's book lovers.

First on the program this morning, was our Keynote Speaker, Jeannie Baker, illustrator-extraordinaire. Jeannie's books include the winner of a CBCA Award 2011, Mirror, Where the Rainforest Meets the Sea, The Story of Rosy Dock, The Hidden Forest, Home in the Sky, Belonging, Window, Home and many more.

Jeannie's presentation included images from the makings of her wonderful books, the stories behind the books, her methods of working and most astonishing of all, her journey through Morocco (by bicycle) by herself.

This journey gave her the images, the inspiration and the Berber people she befriended, ate meals with and who opened their lives up to her - this became the focus of her award-winning story, Mirror. I had intended writing notes during this presentation, but I was so enthralled, I forgot to do it.

Here's a video of Jeannie's book, The Story of Rosy Dock. http://www.jeanniebaker.com/films_index.htm

WRITING COMPETITION CLOSED

2011-09-08T17:01:00.001+10:00

Hi, from Paige Turner (Festival co-host). Sheryl said I can use the computer to post this blog.

Yes, the Writing Competition is closed. The judges (published writers) will read all the entries and pretty soon, they'll choose the winners.

I think it's going to be pretty hard to choose ('cause they're all really good!!)

Thank you, everyone who entered the competition. See you all later, when we announce the winners!!!!!

Tatty Rat says to tell you ... YOU'RE ALL COOL WRITERS!!!! Now he's run off saying he can smell sausages cooking.

TWILIGHT SEMINAR ON DIGITAL PUBLISHING - Woodlands

2011-09-08T09:55:00.000+10:00

Today the blog welcomes author and CYA Conference Organiser, Tina Marie Clark as guest blogger.

Jenny Stubbs (Festival organiser) and Tina Marie Clark

Today I drove 2.5hours to attend an electronic publication panel at the Ipswich Literature Festival. And the drive was worth it!

On the panel were:

Blue Quoll Digital Publishing member: Vincenzo Pignatelli. Blue Quill specialize in apps for itouch, iphones and ipads.

Nadine Bates, director of Hootenanny Books, a boutique Indy publishing company.

Alex Adsett, industry professional and publishing services.

Introducing e-books and digital publishing was one of Blue Quoll Digital Publishing members : Vincenzo Pignatelli. Blue Quill specialize in apps for itouch, iphones and ipads.

After receiving amazing and fascinating numbers of ipads in use in 2011 of 25 million world wide, and the projectory for December 2012 being 40 million, I could well see that there is mighty big market out there…

But how exactly do you define an app?

An app can be anything that works on an iphone itouch or ipad. It works in conjunction with Apple, and can be anything from a book to a game.

Ebooks in the format of ePub can be used on apple products, but generally belong to other e-reader, and they use technology they can only have stationery pictures and text.

But like everything, there are pros and cons to this market so Vincenzo gave us a few facts:

At present there are over 30 million apps available, and growing daily.

200 companies already producing for apps, and the cost to produce these are $30,000 to $50,000 each app. But the market is getting bigger and better.

Making an epub reader doesn’t have the same development cost at all.

So how does one make a decision to create an App vs ebook reader product requires a few facts…

Over 20,000 book apps are available for download in Australia alone already. That is separate from the Apps for kids - kids games etc

Advantages of app. publishing:

1. Feedback from people is instantaneous

2. Almost no entry barrier

3. Real time sales report (no waiting months for royalty statements.)

4. Distribution is taken care of internationally.

5. When you publish to an app, the availability into the international market is instantaneous.

6. You are creating a book that has games, movies and quality story into one animated storytelling medium.

Disadvantages of app. publishing:

1. It is already a ruthless and competitive marketplace.

2. Lots of rubbish out there.

3. Studios mass producing low quality apps for exposure

So what do Blue Quoll offer that makes their apps stand out from the other apps:

They believe that apps need to retain and bringing the charm of kids books to life. So how d they do this: With attention to quality and attention to detail. By creating a product that is modular and scalable, Blue Quoll have created a platform from which to continue to plug in and expand on, and they do not require from scratch development again, they have created a story book engine.

Blue Quoll are open to collaborations with writers and illustrators. Please see their web site for details: http://bluequollpublishing.blogspot.com/

Vincenzo closed on a beautiful illustration where traditional books and ebooks co-exist in the same playing field and that there was room for both.

Next on the panel was Hootenanny Books, Director Nadine Bates

Nadine showed us Mike Matas, Push Pop Press. She then showed some examples of great and not so great apps and ebooks.

Great: Beatrix Potter the tale of Peter rabbit, was nice, classic and clear. The enhancement of the electronic adding to the already lovely test and pictures. Another layer has been added.

Not so great: Don’t smile at a monkey and Uncle (someone’s) underpants book 3…

Apps should be all about the quality and it’s not about how lost your story will get in all the gimmick’s used, but how to enhance your book with those gimmicks. (Suggested that authors & illustrators join Blue Dingo and some of the other connections).

Alex Adsett was last in the panel to talk.

Alex spoke on digital rights and the fact there is a fear surrounding digital rights from writers, publishers, book sellers, and distributors – everyone is still getting used to this technology and as it is still new, there are no hard rules yet…

Looking at a traditional publisher – at the moment (and this is just a rough estimate) The writer would get 10% of recommended retail price.

For e-rights: 25 %.

But Alex warned that writers/illustrators should look out for the following in contracts about e-books:

1. Make sure there is a clause to renegotiate after x number of copies sold.

2. Negotiate your rights to the books, ebooks don’t necessarily need world rights.

3. Enhanced ebooks – there is no definition on this so make sure your book is enhanced how you want it to be.

4. Deal breaker for Alex: reversion of rights... ensure you have a clause to get your rights back. Watch that when it says “no longer available” as ebooks are always available and don’t go out of print, so never get your rights back.

5. Watch out for pricing model, free books and 99 c books. Not all a good deal.

6. Costing of ebooks should be about 20 percent lower than print book.

7. Remember, its okay to split market sell ability eg $5.99 in USA and $15.00 in Australia.

8. Put a rising royalty clause into contracts.

9. Remember hat the quality of ebooks depends on the professionalism of your publisher and the care taken by them.

Alex pointed out the different costs involved with Apps -v- epub ebooks.

And finally – she stated that she was worried about new writers/illustrators with the demise of the traditional book store and their help in launching new artists, but that she had hope as the indy publishers prepared to install e-reader points and book stores by Christmas in at least 100 stores to sell ebooks, that they would still support new talent. No apps sold in stores – still have to go online to the istore for those.

(Ed: the mainly authors/illustrators audience asked many questions. Of most concern was how the input of apps added to the text of (e.g. story books) increased the likelihood of distraction for children and their not using their own imaginations as much.)

DAWN AT WOODLANDS - Day 4

2011-09-08T07:11:00.001+10:00

No need for words...

Even the littlies love the Festival....

2011-09-07T23:01:00.000+10:00

The younger kids from Hymba Yumba Indigenous School (at Springfield) headed over to the Festival today. Hi there, girls and boys!!

This small Prep-Year 3s attended two sessions - the first with Sheryl Gwyther, and the second with John Heffernan.

The group had fun illustrating their own stories, especially with the white pastels on black paper. But pictures speak more than words and here they are...

The Little Turtle by Colleen

Next term, the Prep-Yr 3 group will learn more about authors and illustrators. Hope they have lots of fun doing it!

For more information about Hymba Yumba Community Hub (school)

The authors and illustrators go to Ipswich

2011-09-06T23:46:00.002+10:00

Tatty Rat, Paige Turner and I headed down to Ipswich today to see authors and illustrators in action. Brilliant blue skies, cool breezes and the lovely art precinct of Ipswich!

Tatty Rat's favourite illustrators today were Greg and Narelle.

Kids from local schools headed to the Ipswich Civic Centre, the Community Art Gallery, the CWA Hall and the Masonic Lodge Hall (all within a 2 minute walk of each other) where Festival authors and illustrators had settled in for the day - like Andy Griffiths, Tristan Bancks, Greg Holfeld, James Moloney, Chris Bongers, Narelle Oliver, John Heffernan, Leigh Hobbs.

Andy Griffiths

Narelle Oliver talking about the Barking Owl

Paige Turner went to everyone's sessions and decided all of the presenters were her favourite authors and illustrators. (Editor: very diplomatic is our Paige!)

Guest blogging on the 'Kids Book Review' blog

2011-09-06T16:54:00.000+10:00

Spreading the news about the Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature - guest blogger on the KIDS BOOK REVIEW site.

************************

KBR is thrilled to welcome author and all round nice gal, Sheryl Gwyther, reporting live from the fabulous Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature! Sheryl is both resident writer and blogger for the festival and she has written this fabulous post for us - with up-to-the-minute news. Aren't we lucky?? ....

I’m counting my lucky chickens who have taken it upon themselves to come home to roost. Why?
Because I have a job for the next ten days at the Ipswich Festival of Children’s Literature – not just presenting workshops, but as the Writer-in-Residence at the Festival and the chief blogger....
For more info and images, click on the link above.

LET THE WILD RUMPUS BEGIN...

2011-09-05T13:57:00.001+10:00

Yes, it's all stations go here at the Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature.

Over 13 schools with a combination total of around 1000 children have arrived. And the organisation is so good, everyone is in the right place at the right time! Even the resident peacock knows when to pose.

We've got Andy Griffiths making kids laugh their heads off.

Lucia Masciullo and happy kids.

Sally Rippin's funny monkeys! :)

Leigh Hobbs, Old Tom and all.

The quiet Festival bookshop before the kids arrive.

Tune in later for more!

LET THE WILD RUMPUS....

2011-09-04T22:53:00.009+10:00

21 authors and illustrators ascended on Woodlands this Sunday afternoon, ready for an early start in the morning.

At 9.30am, buses will roll in from everywhere bringing hundreds of kids from all over the region - ready for a day of fun, literature, books and art.

So what do authors and illustrators do when they meet pre-Festival in such a beautiful place as Woodlands at Marburg?

They set up marquees...

Oliver Phommavanh

They take photographs

Chris Cheng, Oliver Phommavanh (hiding), Deb Abela, Sue Whiting

They walk through the paddocks dodging cow pats and bull ants.

Entrance to Woodlands Historical House

They admire the architecture and...

eat a chocolate birthday cake.

And wait for the Festival to begin!

Final three Festival presenters...

2011-09-04T09:43:00.000+10:00

And here are the final three presenters on our list. The Festival begins tomorrow at Woodlands at Marburg. We're looking forward to meeting all the kids who'll arrive in the morning.

Tristan Bancks - author

Sheryl Gwyther - author, Festival blogger.With Narelle Oliver (left)

Narelle Oliver - author and illustrator

The OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL ...

2011-09-03T23:29:00.000+10:00

Kids of all ages, parents, teachers, organisers, librarians, musicians, artists, authors and an illustrator, bookseller, Buddhists, a Middle Eastern dancer and her drummer, a school Glee Club and a mayor.

And so began the Festival and the One World Many Stories children's art exhibition with a fabulous afternoon of music, art and storytelling.

And the viewing of The Mirror Project at The Ipswich Community Gallery - the images of Jeannie Baker.

Filling a hall on a Saturday afternoon to listen and support local young singers and artists - priceless.

Jenny Stubbs - Festival Organiser

Narelle Oliver reading her story Fox and Fine Feathers, with musical accompaniment by the Toowoomba Concert Orchestra.

Two Festival authors - Narelle Oliver and Sheryl Gwyther (author, Pam Rushby also attended the afternoon's entertainment)

One day to go!

2011-09-03T23:01:00.000+10:00

More Festival presenters...

Michael Salmon - author and illustrator

Oliver Phommavanh - author and illustrator

Richard Newsome - author

Pamela Rushby - author

Sally Rippin - author and illustrator

Robin Morrow - National president of IBBY

Australia

Susanne Gervay - author / Australia Day Ambassador

HI FROM PAIGE TURNER AND TATTY RAT

2011-09-02T16:33:00.001+10:00

Hello, to all the kids who are coming to the Festival next week!! Hope we get to see you - we'll be on the run all day, every day doing our job as co-hosts of the whole thingummy-gig!

If we miss you, here's a big HI/5 from us!! ♥

Now, we have to get off the computer as Sheryl needs it for somethingorother! Byeeeee...

from Paige Turner

and Tatty Rat

Told you it was a terrific line-up at the Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature

2011-09-02T16:14:00.000+10:00

Freya Blackwood - illustrator

Lucia Masciullo - illustrator

Lynelle Westgate - author and Illustrator

Mark Wilson - author and illustrator

Meredith Costain - author

Lisa Hollier - illustrator

And on .... more presenters from the Festival

2011-09-02T10:09:00.000+10:00

Here're some more of the fabulous presenters at the Ipswich Kids Literature Festival.

Jeannie Baker - author and illustrator (Jeannie's work, Mirror, will be launched Saturday 3rd September at the Festival's official opening)

Kerry Brown - author

Leigh Hobbs - author and illustrator (could've chosen a lovely picture of you, Leigh, but someone else pushed in!)

Lesley Reece - founding Director and Chairwoman of the Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre

John Heffernan - author

And the list goes on!!

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Andy Griffiths - author

Greg Holfeld - illustrator

Gus Gordon - author

James Moloney - author

And more presenters at the Festival...

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Chris Cheng - author

Clare McFadden - author and illustrator

Deb Abela - author

Tracy Roper - author

Tanya Batt - author

Susanne Gervay - author

Sue Whiting - author

More Festival Presenters...more to follow

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What a brilliant line-up of presenters are at the Festival this year. Like....

Aleesah Darlison - author

Anne Spudvilas - illustrator

Brian Falkner - author

Charlie Carter - author (can't find a photo of you, Charlie!

Nadia Sunde - singer/songwriter, published children's author, music educator, comedienne.

Writing / Drawing Competition

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Remember, the cut-off date for the competition is now the 8th September, 2011!

WRITING / DRAWING COMPETITION

Tatty Rat

The theme of this year's Literature Festival is ONE WORLD MANY STORIES so we're celebrating it with a writing and drawing competition.

If you are aged between 7-12 and you live in Queensland, here's your chance to win a book, or a signed picture of Tatty Rat.

Here's the link to the competition again. Thank you to all those children who have already entered it.

COUNTDOWN TO FESTIVAL: 5 days to go...

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Yes, we're almost there! The people behind this brilliant Queensland children's literature festival (like Jenny Stubbs and her crew from the Ipswich District Teacher Librarian Network are finalising the organisation.

Soon the grounds and buildings at Woodlands, the historic house at Marburg will ring with the chatter of excited young readers and writers. (Ditto in Ipswich city and several small towns in the region.) The logistics of it all blows my mind away! So glad I'm the blogger and not the organiser!!

***************

Many of the presenters at the Ipswich Festival will also appear at the popular CYA, the Children's and Young Adult Writers and Illustrators Conference in Brisbane during the weekend of the 10th-11th September. Check out their website.

This popular conference, with its workshops and master classes is aimed as Professional Development for new and established writers and illustrators of Children's and Young Adult literature.

The Sunday program, Hatchlings, is devoted to younger writers. (Illustration by the talented Bec Timmis).

FESTIVAL PRESENTERS WIN CBCA AWARDS

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The Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature warmly congratulates some of our festival presenters who, on the eve of Children's Book Week in Australia won accolades in the The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Awards.

Michael Gerard Bauer (author) - HONOUR BOOK in the Younger Readers Book of the Year 2011 - for Just a Dog
Sarah Davis (illustrator) - HONOUR BOOK in the Younger Readers Book of the Year 2011 - for Violet Mackerel's Brilliant Plot
Freya Blackwood (illustrator) - WINNER in the Early Childhood Book of the Year 2011 - for Maudie and Bear
Jeannie Baker (author and illustrator) - JOINT WINNER in the Picture Book of the Year 2011 - for Mirror
Clare McFadden - WINNER of the Crichton Award for New Illustrators - for her picture book, The Flying Orchestra

The Book of the Year Awards - CBCA

ANANSI & THE SKY GOD'S STORIES - school play waits for its players

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My school play, Anansi and the Sky God's Stories is now published in the The School Magazine # 8 September 2011 issue of Touchdown. How fabulous it would be if an upper primary school class performed it during the festival!! Okay, that's just a dream I have ... (Blogger grins dreamily)

It's based on the famous retelling of the traditional Ashanti tale by Gail E Haley, A STORY A STORY. Gail gave me permission to adapt and retell her retelling (as is traditional) of the story. She has visited Australia and loved her time here. Gail is also remembered fondly by those who experienced her storytelling in some lucky schools.

A Story A Story

Two pages from the script

WRITING/DRAWING COMPETITION ENTRY - DATE EXTENDED to 8th September

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The cut-off date for the competition is now the 8th September, 2011!

WRITING / DRAWING COMPETITION

Tatty Rat

The theme of this year's Literature Festival is ONE WORLD MANY STORIES so we're celebrating it with a writing and drawing competition.

If you are aged between 7-12 and you live in Queensland, here's your chance to win a book, or a signed picture of Tatty Rat.

COMPETITION CLOSES: 8th September 2011

WRITING COMPETITION

If you ruled the Earth and you could change one thing, what would it be?" (Max. 50 words)

To enter the competition, you must include permission from your parent

Write your entry in the body of the email (no attachments).

Include your name and your age and the name of your school.

Include your parent's name in your email.

Email your entry - gwythersc@gmail.com

BOOK PRIZES will go to the best answers:

most thoughtful answer

funniest answer

most creative answer

DRAWING COMPETITION

Draw a picture of yourself and Tatty Rat enjoying the Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature.
Scan and email your pencil or felt pen drawing as a jpg (nothing bigger than 500Kb). Get mum, dad or your teacher to help you with this.
Email to gwythersc@gmail.com
Judges: Tatty Rat and Paige Turner

Prize: a signed picture of Tatty Rat

GET THOSE ENTRIES ROLLING IN SOON!!

ANDY GRIFFITHS - A Free Event for Families Monday 5th September 2011 - All Welcome!

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The Ipswich Festival of Children’s Literature invites you to an evening with Andy Griffiths

A Free Event for Families

Books for sale

For Further Details: ejones@iggs.qld.edu.au

Monday 5^th September at 6.00pm

Ipswich Girls Grammar School - Katherine Carter Theatre

Andy Griffiths is the author of over twenty books, including nonsense verse, badly drawn cartoons, short stories, comic novels and creative writing textbooks. Over the past 15 years Andy’s books have been New York Times bestsellers, won over 40 children’s choice awards, been adapted as a television cartoon series and sold over four million copies worldwide.

Andy is an ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Project. He has travelled around Australia to conduct writing workshops with students in remote communities. The students wrote stories based on their own lives. These stories could be true or fictional or a mixture of both. Thirteen stories edited by Andy have been published in The Naked Boy and the Crocodile.

Andy and Terry live in a 13-storey treehouse. They’ve got a bowling alley, a see-through swimming pool, a tank full of sharks, a games arcade, a giant rope swing, a vegetable vaporiser and a marshmallow machine that follows them around and shoots marshmallows into their mouths whenever they’re hungry. Read all about them in The 13-Storey Treehouse.

ANDY GRIFFITHS talks about 'Getting Boys to Read'

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Parents and teachers bemoan the challenges involved to get boys to read. But wave an Andy Griffiths title tantalisingly in front of their eyes and the temptation is too great to resist.

What is Andy's secret?

Andy Griffiths is one of the authors appearing at the Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature in September - and the proof that kids love his books is in the 'pudding'. Andy's author-talk sessions will be attended by over 1000 eager, excited children!

Thought you might like to hear and read the transcript of Andy's secrets. In this interview from the NSW Education Dept's School A to Z website, Andy chats with James O'Loghlin about 'the cleverest and most disgusting ways to get boys and girls into books'.

Many thanks for permission to access this interview to Jenni Hamilton, Service Manager-Digital Channels, New South Wales Department of Education and Communities; Andy Griffith and James O'Loghlin. Their site also links through Mobile Applications as well.

To tantalise you, see below ... for much, much more, click on the GETTING BOYS TO READ transcript link from the NSW Department of Education.

At a glance

A key to getting boys to read is finding subject matter that interests them.

Often young boys are interested in "rude things" because it allows them to laugh about it without having to do it themselves.

Boys can see reading as a feminine activity because it's often women they see reading.

Hook boys into reading something they like and they will broaden their choices in time.

Books allow the reader to visit different worlds and dimensions; something many boys love.

COUNTDOWN TO FESTIVAL: 19 days to go!

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Preparations for the Festival are in full swing!

Authors, Illustrators and Musicians are packing their bags (well, we're thinking about it!)

One World Many Stories: The Mirror Project Exhibition is being hung - ready for its official opening, and the Festival Launch at St. Paul’s Hall, d’Arcy Doyle Place, Nicholas Street, Ipswich Central. Saturday 3rd September at 2 pm—3:15 pm

This project of visual art works by children and young people from Ipswich and the greater region is inspired by the works of artist and author, Jeannie Baker.

My blog co-host, Paige Turner is looking for Tatty Rat to make sure he has respectable (i.e. not too tatty!) clothes to wear to the Festival.

Paige Turner

We all look forward to meeting you there!

WANTED: Junior Roving Reporters

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Julian Bear - Junior Reporter at the Ipswich Daily

Are you a young person coming to the Ipswich Literature Festival in September?
Are you interested in being one of the Festival's Junior Roving Reporters?
You'll get the chance to use one of our new microphones and recorders.
We'll webcast your reports as well.

If you're interested, let us know in the comment section below.

WRITING AND DRAWING COMPETITION

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Catching your eye?

The theme of this year's Literature Festival is ONE WORLD MANY STORIES so we're celebrating it with a writing and drawing competition.

If you are aged between 7-12 and you live in Queensland, here's your chance to win a book, or a signed picture of Tatty Rat.

COMPETITION CLOSES: 1st September 2011

WRITING COMPETITION

If you ruled the Earth and you could change one thing, what would it be?" (Max. 50 words)

To enter the competition, you must include permission from your parent
Write your entry in the body of the email (no attachments).
Include your name and your age and the name of your school.
Include your parent's name in your email.
Email your entry - gwythersc@gmail.com

BOOK PRIZES will go to the best answers:

the most thoughtful answer or...
the funniest answer or...
the most creative answer

DRAWING COMPETITION

Draw a picture of yourself and Tatty Rat enjoying the Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature (even if you're not going).
Scan and email your pencil or felt pen drawing as a jpg (nothing bigger than 500Kb). Get mum, dad or your teacher to help you with this.
Email to gwythersc@gmail.com
Judges: Tatty Rat and Paige Turner

Prize: a signed picture of Tatty Rat

SO GET THOSE ENTRIES ROLLING IN SOON!!

COMPETITION BOOK PRIZES .. details coming

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Here is the full list of competition BOOK PRIZES:

Plus a signed picture of one of our Festival stars, Tatty Rat.

Competition details announced on this blog!

Book prizes donated by The Book Garden, Julie Nickerson, Tania McCartney and Sheryl Gwyther.

Many thanks from the Ipswich kidslitfest blog to John and Deb at The Book Garden, Julie and Tania.

Look who's coming to the Festival!

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With over 40 presenters at this Festival, it looks like it's going to be a humdinger!

Over the next few weeks, we'll check out the list of who's who - so who are your favourite Australian authors and illustrators?

Are you a fan of the Ishmael stories? Michael Gerard Bauer, who's celebrating the launch of the final book in the series, Ishmael and the Hoops of Steel will be there. Michael's books sell in over 20 countries so it's not just Aussie kids who enjoy his stories. He's also a very entertaining speaker!

It will be great to catch up again with Gabrielle Wang too. Her latest four books are in the series, Our Australian Girl - her Aussie girl, Poppy is of Indigenous and Chinese heritage, and lives in 1864 on a mission. There are adventures galore when Poppy runs away to look for her brother. Meet Poppy, Poppy at Summerhill, Poppy and the Thief and Poppy Comes Home. A great read! Here's Gabrielle's Author Page on Facebook.

You're in for a treat if you've booked in to see author, Christine Bongers. Chris's novel, Henry Hoey Hobson has been shortlisted for both the CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers and the Western Australia Premier's Award for Children's Fiction. Henry is 'a hero to cheer for till your tonsils hang out on strings!' Read it and find out for yourself!! Here's a great review and interview with Christine about Henry Hoey Hobson.

Newcomer to the 2011 Festival is Gold Coast author and illustrator, Angela Sunde. Her book, Pond Magic is a hit in schools across Australia. It's one of the popular Aussie Chomps series of books from Penguin. Angela will present a workshop for adults, Writing for the Tweens.

More authors and illustrators coming soon to this blog! :)

KIDS' COMPETITION COMING SOON!!

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Are you aged between 7 and 12 and you live in Queensland?

This Festival Writing and Drawing Competition is just for you.

Prizes include:

Books - like Andy Griffiths book, What Body Part is That?
Your very own autographed picture of Tatty Rat
More prizes coming once finalised.

Details of competition coming soon on this blog!

Two fabulous guest illustrators on board

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Say a loud HI! to our blog's two guest illustrators, Lynn Priestley and Lucia Masciullo.

Lynn Priestley is a very good friend of my co-hosts, Paige Turner and Tatty Rat. Except for Moo Moo, her dog, Lynn loves nothing better than drawing and painting her appealing, childlike illustrations.
Her characters, whether animal or human, are delightful, intriguing, funny, endearing, sad, sometimes shy and sometimes full of attitude. She also loves writing stories.
Check out Lynn's portfolio here.

Moo Moo

Lucia Masciullo grew up in Livorno, Tuscany surrounded by the smells of salt and rosemary. Now, she's a proud Aussie Permanent Resident. And we're thrilled to have her gorgeous 'flying book-boy' as our blog header!
Lucia's wonderful, whimsical illustrations caught the eyes of Australia's top publishers and authors, and now children in Australia and all over the world enjoy her work.
Here are some: The Boy and the Toy (with Sonya Hartnett), Our Australian Girl series, Mr Wolf and the Ginger Cupcakes, Family Forest (with Kim Kane) and others. Check out Lucia's portfolio here

Lucia wins a 2010 Aurealis Award for The Boy and the Toy

Lynn and Lucia would love to hear from you!!

Introducing your three blog hosts...

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Welcome to Queensland's Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature blog - written on site and around the grounds of historic Woodlands of Marburg, every day for 10 days of fun.

Your roving reporters, Sheryl Gwyther, Paige Turner and Tatty Rat will be on hand to keep you up to date with Festival happenings as they happen!

Drop in and leave your comments!!! We'll read them all - as long as we're not busy keeping Tatty Rat away from stray lunch boxes!

Historic Woodlands of Marburg - site of Festival

'ONE WORLD MANY STORIES' - 2011 FESTIVAL THEME

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LAUNCH DATE: 3rd September 2011

The Ipswich Festival of Children’s Literature 2011-

3 - 14 September

Adult Program 9-11 September

Free talks, performances, writing and illustration workshops for children at:

Woodlands of Marburg / Ipswich Art Gallery / Masonic Hall / Ipswich Library / CWA Hall

Meet Authors and Illustrators, buy books and have them signed

Free Festival launch for children – Saturday 3 September at D’Arcy Doyle Place 2.00pm

Free Public event with Andy Griffiths – Monday 5 September at Ipswich Girls Grammar 6.00pm

State Final of the CBCA Queensland Readers Cup - Tuesday 6 September at Ipswich International Hotel 5.00pm