Last day at Woodlands

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.)

JELLY-ROLLING IN THE CASBAH - the Festival Dinner

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

More Festival Presenters...more to follow

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.