Book Launches Galore!

Photo: google images

Oops, I didn't realise I haven't used my blog since April until recently. That just means I must have been busy doing some interesting things (and I have - can't say much yet!), and I must have lots to tell you (and I do!). This post is about all the book launches Ive attended recently.

I love going to book launches. Celebrating the birth of a new book so kids have even more variety for their reading choices is a wonderful thing. Knowing the author and/or the illustrator and how hard they've worked just gives even more reasons to celebrate.

Launch 1: Renee Price and Anil Tortop - Digby and the Yodelayhee ... Who?
Saturday, 4th March at Wallsend Library

Renee's launch was full of singing, music, craft, food, fun and laughter as she launched her second picture book, the mate to her first, Digby's Moon.

 

Launch 2: Anthony Wood and Lorraine Robertson - Dancing Charli

Tuesday, 11th April at Belmont Library

This launch was in the school holidays so lots of kids were available to dance around and pretend to be parrots. Craft and cake finished off a lovely morning perfectly. I have lots of photos but they just won't load onto my blog. 
(I've been trying for about two hours - so I've given up - sorry Ant!)

Launch 3: Jess Black - Little Paws series

Saturday, 22nd April at Ground Up Espresso Cafe at Carrington

Jess launched her new series, 'Little Paws' in April. Unfortunately the soccer draw didn't allow me to attend this one but I heard it was an amazing event with real puppies. Congratulations, Jess!

Click here for more information about how the series came to be on Jess Black's blog.

Launch 4: Deb Kelly and Gwynne Jones - Chalk Rainbow

Saturday, 1st July at Wallsend Library

Deb Kelly and Gwynne Jones launched their first book together on my daughter's birthday. In between soccer games and birthday celebrations, I managed to slip into this launch and help them party.

Launch 5: Lynn Jenkins and Kirrili Lonergan - Ollie's Treasure

Friday, 21st July at Wallsend Library

A Friday evening launch was perfect for this event. Family and friends came to celebrate Ollie's Treasure after a long day/week at work and school.

Lots of food, wine and mindfullness activities were shared just before the kids enjoyed Lynn's public reading of this beautiful book for the first time. Then the kids were launched into the library for a real treasure hunt using their senses.

Congratulations to my talented friends!

Launch 6: Jess Black - The Keeper of the Crystals Series - Book 5 and 6

Saturday, 5th August at Wallsend Library

Congratulations on the launch of book 5 and 6, Jess! 

These books are wonderful if you have a child who loves reading fantasy mixed with some environmental issues. Book 7 and 8 are in the planning stages.

 

There were more launches I couldn't attend would you believe. But it's hard trying to keep up with everything. These events always give a great opportunity to catch up with writing and illustrating friends whom I don't see very often due to the nature of creating in solitude. 

I look forward to more upcoming book launches in my area. Yes, more are around the corner.

Happy reading, creating, illustrating and dreaming x

Newcastle Writers Festival Family Fun Day 2017

I'm on a high this evening after just finishing my MC role at the NWF Family Fun Day.

What a day! The sun was shining (thank goodness after all the rain over the last few weeks!) and people came from everywhere to help us celebrate books, reading, story telling and illustrating.

I had spent weeks making sure I had written every guest a very personalised introduction. I'd made sure I knew all the equipment that was needed. I'd checked the sound and the visuals. And finally I made sure the volunteers knew where and how they were needed most. I wanted to make sure everything was as perfect as it could be for everyone.

And I'm proud and honoured to say it was a HUGE success!

The day started with local illustrators Liz Anelli, Gwynne Jones, and Kirrili Lonergan making a new picture book live on stage - a world exclusive! Even though it can take 12 months to illustrate a picture book, these ladies nailed it in 30 minutes. Kids helped contribute collage pieces to the production and the overall result was amazing. What clever ladies!

Newcastle Region Libraries had amazing craft activities set up just outside the marquee so children could wandering in and out and use their creative juices to contribute to a large illustration which will be displayed at the library after the festival.

Next, John 'Stinker' Clarke shared personal stories that helped contribute to his debut children's story, 'The Adventures of Stinker and Stinkpot'. John was funny, educational and very engaging.

My heart skipped a beat when our next guest entered the marquee - the extremely inspiring Jackie French. Jackie and I had met earlier in the Green Room and I was delighted with how she loved coming back to Newcastle and re-experiencing its industrial flavour. We chatted about our mesmerising harbour as she signed some books for me. She even asked me if we could have a selfie! Of course I accepted. She may post that photo on her social media later.

Jackie won hearts and minds in the marquee as she talked about wombats and more wombats. She dramatically read, 'Diary of a Wombat' and then chatted about the pleasure of reading. She had the audience in the palm of her hands.

My heart skipped several beats when our next guest, Richard Roxburgh, visited our space. We were madly setting up clipboards, paper and textas so the kids could draw along with him. Richard drew some of the characters from his new children's book, 'Artie and the Grime Wave'. He was very engaging - you could hear a pin drop in the room. I think Richard would have stayed drawing with the kids all day if we could have let him. I heard a rumour all his books in the festival bookshop sold out too.

Nick Earls was up next and had a hard act to follow - but he nailed it. He shared the origins of several words inspired by his research for his 'Word Hunters' series. It is based on twins Lexi and Al Hunter who find an old dictionary and then their world as they know it changes forever.

The Newcastle Youth Orchestra entertained us next with beautiful orchestral music. The people involved in the orchestra are aged between 10-25 years. Their talent and music filled our marquee with delight - we were in awe :)

And lucky last, Professor Francesca Falconette (Nadia Sunde) had an amazing time entertaining children as we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the release of the first Harry Potter book. Professor Falconette (Professor Frankie for short) was funny, engaging and made every child feel important and special. It was the most perfect way to end such a beautiful day.

Congratulations to everyone involved in making the NWF Family Fun Day come alive. Without every piece of the puzzle it would not have come together so beautifully.

I have heard a rumour late this afternoon there is a very high chance the Family Fun Day will be back next year and I will be the first person to jump on board and help make it happen.

Author and Illustrator Book Tour - Hunter Valley - October 2016

Kirrili and I embarked on an author and illustrator book tour last week from one end of the beautiful Hunter Valley near Scone to Singleton.

This Coal and Allied sponsored event lets all the schools in the area (public and private) once a year get access to an author or illustrator otherwise out of reach due to isolation or budget restrictions.

A wonderful committee made up of local librarians made magic happen again this year with our visit but not without hours of hard work, hundreds of emails and   
mountains of support from local school communities.

We were hosted by five amazing schools and teaching librarians who have a passion for celebrating books, reading and exposing children to some of the people who help bring books alive - authors and illustrators.

Kirrili and I provided a very informative session that included stories, drawing and games. We had just as much fun as the kids. We may have even taught the adults a few new things :)

Our total audience comprised of nearly 4000 
children from Kindergarten to Year 6 from 20

local schools. One host schools supported us each day while we presented three one hour sessions - anywhere between 200 - 400 children at a time. Our presentation was visual, inspiring, and exciting. Well that's what they told us! 

Thank you to the schools who reorganised school routines, jumped on buses, and behaved so beautifully ready to embrace reading and all it has to offer.




Participating schools:

St Mary's Primary School, Scone
Scone Public School
Scone Grammar School
Blandford Public School
Murrurundi Public School
Muswellbrook Public School
Martindale Public School
Denman Public School
Muswellbrook Christian School
St James Primary School, Muswellbrook
Aberdeen Public School
Muswellbrook South Public School
Sandy Hollow Public School
Singleton heights Public School
Mt Pleasant Public School
Broke Public School
Singleton Public School
King St Public School
Australian Christian College, Singleton
Milbrodale Public School

As you can imagine, Kirrili and I went home absolutely exhausted as we gave everything we had to touch as many children's hearts as possible. I just have to share some of the feedback we have been receiving.



From a participating school:

I wanted to email you to let you know that our school thoroughly enjoyed your presentation on Friday. Thank you so much for being willing to come up to the Hunter Valley and share with us your beautiful book and your journey in publishing it.

From a parent: 

Thank you for enlightening the children from xxx school. My daughter (6) loved your book and she took the time to read it to me one morning with only a small amount of help. It's a terrific book and my daughter was so excited to tell our family all about your visit, she was also excited the illustrator also attended, how wonderful! She had such beautiful stories to share with us. I just wanted to say thank you, the book is a beautiful story!

We spotted remnants of past Coal and Allied presenters hanging on some host school library walls (Terry Denton and David Legge) and heard tales about Frances Watts and Deb Abela - all good stories ladies!

Being able to go into a school as an author after being a primary school teacher is a thrilling thing indeed. It felt like only yesterday I had my own students and I was often reminded last week of the fun things we used to do and the books we used to share and dive into.

I had the rare opportunity to speak to my old primary school. The current Assistant Principal started Kindergarten with me only a few years ago :) During recess and lunch, it was like a reunion. Some of the staff from when I was there are still there, loving the small community. People were coming up to me sharing stories of when I was a student there. The old cricket pitch is still in the playground but there has been so many building improvements it's hard to see the buildings I have fond memories of - but they are there underneath.

I'm still on a high this week after such a mammoth expedition last week, but I'm glad to be back with my family. 

Thanks for hosting us Cecilia, Rose, Lisa, Jenna and Benita!

Thanks to the committee for taking on such an ambitious task of co-ordinating 20 participating schools, 5 host schools, funds, buses, equipment and food. 

Thanks to Coal and Allied who supplied the sponsorship for this annual event. We really appreciated the staff who came along and shared their reading beliefs and watched our presentation.

Kirrili and I will be returning to the area in November as part of the upcoming Scone Literary Festival. We will be having story and drawing fun with local preschool children.

And later that afternoon, I'll be speaking to Year 7 from my old high school about how picture books are made as it links into the Year 8 curriculum. No pressure! I just need to change from book fun with 3, 4 and 5 year olds to being a bit more educational for the 13 year olds - easy! (I think :) )

If you or anyone you know is interested in having Kirrili and I come and present as an author/illustrator team, feel free to contact me. (author@katrinamckelvey.com)

Now time to write more stories ...

3pm on Friday afternoon @ Singleton Public School - mission complete!