It has certainly been a strange year but, pandemic or not, there was no stopping the celebrations for CBCA Book Week 2020 which got off to a truly fabulous start with the exciting online announcement of the Book of the Year winners and Honour Books on Friday 16 October. If you didn't catch it, I urge you to watch it. We were especially proud and delighted to see Karen Blair in the Honour Book list for When Billy was a Dog written by Kirsty Murray and we extend our congratulations to all those listed. Ever generous in support of the WA Branch Karen has donated an original sketch based on Billy and this will be offered for silent auction in the lead up to A Night with our Stars 2021.
Whether you celebrated in the original spot of August or the official week in October we know you had an enormous amount of fun dressing up and putting the focus on great books and we thank you for sharing photos of the wonderful displays and activities you organised via our Facebook and Instagram feeds. The Curious Creatures, Wild Minds theme really resonated with the community and inspired some fabulous costumes. Click on to the Photo Gallery buttons for lots of great images.
Our WA Branch Dinner sold out a month in advance and Cristy Burne was the perfect choice of speaker regaling us with interesting tales of her ambitious career choices and showing how you can turn a family holiday into material for an exciting children's book. You could win a school/library visit from Cristy thanks to The Literature Centre, so keep reading this newsletter for further details. Make sure that you also save the date for ANWOS on Friday 12 March, look out for bookings opening in late January 2021 and secure your place.
Owing to seating restrictions the Make Your Own Story Book award presentation was relocated from TLC to Ambrose Estate but the silver lining was that the winners could participate in a workshop with guest author/illustrator Mike Speechley. It is one of my favourite events of the year as the parental pride in the room is so palpable. This year the winners were all female so the gauntlet has well and truly been thrown down to the boys for next year.
Both of these special events were superbly organised by Denise Robins who was ably assisted by a team of committee members who work incredibly hard behind the scenes as well as up front and I thank them all sincerely for their tireless energy, enthusiasm and passion.
As this is the final newsletter for the year I shall end with a reminder about membership. We rely heavily on your financial support to be able to run our events and know that you will understand how important it is that you renew your WA Branch membership in a timely fashion. There is no increase in the membership fee and your membership renewal reminder will be emailed on the first Monday in January 2021. Please help us by checking your inbox around that date and renewing promptly. Remember that members are eligible for a substantial discount at events such as A Night With Our Stars, special Book Discussion Group meetings and the CBCA Book Week Dinner as well as discount on official CBCA Book Week merchandise.
Thank you in anticipation of your ongoing support for the CBCA WA Branch and very best wishes for the remainder of the year.
Much to the amazement of the organisers, the opening and dinner was a sell out well before the closing date. Fortunately we were able (by virtue of the fabulous Kate Boylsen at Ambrose Estate) to squeeze in a few latecomers so no one missed out. It was thrilling to see interpretations the guests created for the Curious Creatures, Wild Minds theme. The costumes, the hair and the hilarity as people arrived boded well for the organisers who had spent many weeks gathering decorations, prizes and ideas to ensure a fabulous night was had by all.
Jen Jackson from Paperbird was welcomed into the Muriels gang when she was presented with the 2020 Muriel Barwell Award for Distinguished Service to Children’s Literature to the accompaniment of much applause and cheering.
Cristy Burne, guest speaker was humorous and inspiring, retelling stories to prove that having a go could lead to the most amazing experiences of your life.
Cristy said:THANK YOU!!! What a gorgeous night you created! Thank you so much for having me and making me feel so welcome and supported. You are all amazing! Hooray for children's books and the people who champion them!!! xxxx PS: Extra special thank you for the chocolate! :-)
Janet Scott:Another very enjoyable and successful CBCA Book Week dinner and opening night. Food was good and so nice to be served. A benefit of Covid! Thanks for having us, it is nice to catch up with people I don't get to see any more professionally.
Kath WiskenThe Literature Centre:Thank you and your committee for a fabulous night last Friday. It was so much fun- - and great food!!!
Jackie Harding:Everyone enjoyed the theme, the little touches (making a creature) was fun, the guest speaker’s energy inspired me and a visit to Paper Bird is now definitely in the diary! Food and company sealed the evening. Thank you to all. Glenn Swift:Thanks again for another superb CBCA Book Week dinner with the exceptionally fun crowd that makes up CBCA WA. I sat down with a wicked witch, Mr Bouncy and a host of characters, illustrators and authors, for an excellent meal with matching good humour, stories, jokes and news about upcoming book launches. Cristy Burne, as guest speaker hit just the right balance of interesting personal history and hilarious recounting of her family's encounter with leeches. I can't count how many annual Book Week dinners I've attended (I haven't missed one in living memory, no matter how busy a Storyteller gets in Book Week) but it's never a difficult choice to attend - I'm pleased I got my ticket before it sold out! Thanks to all the hard-working committee, especially thanks for my raffle prize of great books and goodies.
Monique Aviso University Library, Curtin University: Being new to the library industry, although I have been a long-time sideline advocate for children’s literacy, I bravely booked a single ticket to attend the Book Week Launch. My husband was stuck abroad due to COVID and I have young teenagers, which means I haven’t been out to dinner for a long time. I was seated with the most welcoming bunch from The Literature Centre, some CBCA WA Committee members, and was even close enough to touch Cristy as she bounced past to deliver the keynote speech (I have a leech story too). I had the most amazing time. I wasn’t there to network or impress anyone with a costume. I simply wanted to spend the night with people who have influenced me and my children when we went to the public library wondering what new book will feature in Storytime. The passion flowed from the creative ideas that sprung from the authors' minds, to the ink from the illustrator’s pen; from the publishers who churn out the books, to the booksellers that house them; from the teachers and librarians who deliver the dialogues with magic, and to the invisible many who are just as passionate. I was there to witness the power of storytelling from the people who make it happen. I was not disappointed. Thank you for making my first CBCA Book Week Dinner my new annual event go-to.
As we gaze ahead into 2021 and consider the theme Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds, already our minds are flipping through ideas in readiness for the 2021 CBCA Book Week Opening and Dinner. We know it will be another fantastic event!
Denise Robins and Sally Woffenden
Committee member Sheena Matthews was delighted to be the successful bidder in the silent auction for the Jan Ormerod art work based on her book Water Witcher. Congratulations, Sheena!
CBCA Book Week 2020
Congratulations to all the winners! To see the full article about the winners, please see the CBCA National Website.To read the full 2020 CBCA Judges Report, please click here.
A huge thank you to all those involved in organising the live online announcement which was such an inclusive and joyous way for us all to feel part of the CBCA Book of the Year celebrations during these strange times.
Another big thank you to all those who tuned in to watch the wonderful presentation of the CBCA Book of the Year Winners for 2020. If you didn't get the opportunity to watch the video, you can view it on the CBCA's Youtube Channel.
Thank you notes from some of our winners:
I’ve finally caught my breath after the announcement on Friday!
I often chose children’s books at my school library because they had the CBCA sticker—authors such as Ruth Park, Colin Thiele and Robin Klein—and I remember thinking a book with a sticker must be a Good Book. When I began writing my first novel for young adults I looked for those stickers again; I read Sonya Hartnett, Margo Lanagan, David Metzenthen, Bill Condon, Cath Crowley, Glenda Millard and Ursula Dubosarsky, all fine writers and CBCA winners/honorees. These authors helped me figure out what kind of writer I wanted to be, but back then I never dreamed of winning Book of the Year. Now I’m experiencing the curiously satisfying feeling of coming full circle, and the quiet pride of knowing I have written a Good Book.
Given the strange and terrible year that has been 2020, I know enormous amount of time and energy must have gone into preparing for this year’s Awards. I wanted to send my deepest thanks to you, Margot, the CBCA committee and members, and to the Older Readers judges, Karys, Erin and Jonathan. Also to the SA chapter of the CBCA who made our Book Week dinner celebration a wonderful and memorable night.
Thank you all.
Vikki Wakefield
Just wanted to say thank you for all your organisation behind the scenes these past few weeks.
The presentation was so wonderful - I just loved every moment, especially that you involved kids and teens and asked them why reading is important. They're the most important voices of all.
Please pass on my thanks to the rest of the CBCA team. I've been blown away by the response to Friday's announcement. The children's literature community is really so special.
Happy Book Week!
Pip Harry
On behalf of the Board of Magabala Books and staff, we just wanted to thank and congratulate the CBCA on such a beautifully presented awards announcement. It was sensitive and very moving - the children were so beautiful and insightful. It conveyed so well the reasons why we all do what we do. Beautifully shot and edited.
I was talking to a school librarian in Victoria yesterday and she said she hoped that it would be online like this in the future, because she was so glad to be able to see it. Amazing what opportunities the constraints of this year have created, and all the more credit to the CBCA for producing something so wonderful at such a hard time.
I’d appreciate if you would pass this on to Margot, the Board and staff involved in the awards.
Please browse through our photo gallery of all the gorgeous costumes and library displays for this year's CBCA Book Week. It was lovely to see kids and kids-at-heart dress up as their favourite book characters or match the Curious Creatures, Wild Mind theme. It was extra special to see some costumes inspired by some of our WA authors and illustrators. Nothing an author finds more flattering than to have their book character brought to life in a costume at this time of year! Enjoy!
CBCA Book Week in The West Australian
It was wonderful to have a feature article on CBCA Book Week published in ED! section of The West Australian on Tuesday 20 October, even though the detailed article I had supplied was whittled down to a few sound bites, and many thanks to Heather Zubek for the coverage. There was a huge response to the call-out for students reviewers to cover the shortlisted books in the Young Readers category and there are plans to harness this enthusiasm and reviewing expertise in our young folk with an ongoing book review feature throughout the year. Watch The West for details.
CBCA Book Week 2021
All being well, CBCA Book Week will be back to its regular spot next year, running from 21-27 August.The official CBCA Book Week Opening and Dinner and the Book of the Year announcement will be on Friday 20 August 2021.
The CBCA Book Week theme for 2021 is:
We were lucky to see a preview of the 2021 theme.
If you haven't seen the short video, you can view it here. The artwork will be illustrated by Shaun Tan, Winner, 2019 CBCA Picture Book of the Year for Cicada. We are already receiving positive feedback about the theme and lots of excitement about the images Shaun will create for us to celebrate CBCA Book Week 2021.
The CBCA National Board is requesting feedback about the CBCA Book Week Merchandise featured this year. The CBCA would appreciate your thoughts and comments about what worked well and what needed improvement.
Please find a link below to a short survey regarding the CBCA Book Week merchandise for 2020. The survey closes on 9 November so please have your say.
Can you donate any of these rare books to the WA Branch collection?
If you attended the CBCA Book Week dinner on 16 October you may have noticed a display of previous winners of the CBCA Book of the Year Awards. The WA Branch is in endeavouring to complete its collection of CBCA BOTY winners. Second hand or discarded library stock copies will be considered if in suitable condition. If you are able to provide any of the following books please contact Gail Spiers – gailspiers@iinet.net.au
Books Needed to Complete the W.A Branch Collection of the CBCA Book of the Year Award Winners 1946 - 1969
Year
Author/Illustrator
Title
Publisher
1946
REES, Leslie
Illus. Walter Cunningham
Karrawingi the Emu
John Sands
1948
HURLEY, Frank
Shackleton's Argonauts
Angus & Robertson
1951
WILLIAMS, Ruth C
Illus. Rhys Williams
Verity of Sydney Town
Angus & Robertson
1952
POWNALL, Eve
Illus. Margaret Senior
The Australia Book
John Sands
1953
MARTIN, J.H. & W.D.
Aircraft of Today and Tomorrow
Angus & Robertson
1954
PARKER, K.A. Ed. Henrietta Drake-Brockman
Illus. Elizabeth Durack
Australian Legendary Tales
Angus & Robertson
1957
MOODIE-HEDDLE, Enid (ed.) Illus. Nancy Parkes
The Boomerang Book of Legendary Tales
Longmans Green
1958
CHAUNCY, Nan
Tiger in the Bush
Oxford University Press
1959
GUNN, John
Sea Menace
Constable
1961
CHAUNCY, Nan
Illus. Brian Wildsmith
Tangara
Oxford University Press
1962
Joint
EVERS, L.H.
Racketty Street Gang
Hodder & Stoughton
WOODBERRY, Joan
Rafferty Rides a Winner
Parrish
1963
PHIPSON, Joan
Illus. Margaret Horder
The Family Conspiracy
Constable
1964
SPENCE, Eleanor
Illus. Geraldine Spence
The Green Laurel
Oxford University Press
1965
BRINSMEAD, Hesba F.
Illus. Annette Macarthur-Onslow
When it comes to the MYOSB competition, it’s all about the winners and they enjoyed a very different experience from previous years. Due to COVID limitations the Winners’ Celebration moved from The Literature Centre in Fremantle to Ambrose Estate in Wembley. The traditional morning tea became a lunch and winners were treated to a workshop by guest speaker, author and illustrator Michael Speechley. Winning student speakers Charlotte Lamb and Meg Ireland wowed the audience (and Michael Speechley) with their mature and insightful talks and were humble in their thanks to the organisers and recognition of the other winners. Winners travelled from the metro area, Bunbury, Busselton and Dalyellup to celebrate and enjoy meeting their fellow authors and illustrators. They said:
Charlotte Lamb (student speaker): I really enjoyed the ceremony, especially the author workshop, it was great fun. I also really enjoyed meeting all the other kids. It was a really nice experience and I can’t wait to start writing another book!
Meg Ireland (student speaker):I really enjoyed writing a book for this competition. When I heard I won a prize I was very excited! The ceremony was lovely and the workshop with the guest author was engaging. I had a really good time and encourage other young aspiring authors and illustrators to enter.
Kin Poon (Ema’s parent): Thanks for organising a wonderful event and prize-giving. Mike's presentation was inspiring and the girls enjoyed his workshop.
Roberta de Carvelho (Gabriela’s parent): It was a pleasure to witness the Awards Ceremony. To watch the big smiles on the winners faces, the pride of the family members and to be able to see the amazing books in all the categories was magical. MYOSB is an amazing competition which stimulates not only the kids' creativity but determination, commitment and confidence. Congratulations and thanks to everyone involved to make MYOSB happen. You are all fantastic!
Melanie Ho (Leisl and Isabella’s parent): We are truly grateful to the CBCA WA Branch for organising the amazing Make Your Own Story Book competition. My daughters thoroughly enjoyed writing, illustrating and putting together the books. This has been an invaluable process for them. The ceremony was run seamlessly this year. The presentations by Jan Nicholls, Denise Robins and Michael Speechley were entertaining, informative and most of all inspiring. The venue was stunning and my daughters were thrilled with the workshop that Michael Speechley ran. Thank you to CBCA WA for the time and effort in organising the competition and the awards ceremony.
Michelle Li (Marianne’s parent): The competition inspired my daughter Marianne to put her boundless imagination into a beautiful story. It also encouraged Marianne to think big and aim high to be a better writer. The ceremony was well organised with clear communications to the families. We look forward to Marianne and many other children participating in the competition next year!
Ravi Narula (Niyati’s parent): I must say a big thanks for the wonderful event organised by you and the team. It went smoothly and was very well arranged . Congrats to you all.
Andrea Marden (Lucy’s parent): Thank you for a lovely day today at the MYOSB awards and fabulous workshop. Lucy and Tessa have already spent their vouchers at Millpoint Caffe Bookshop! Now to head home to Busselton.
Bijal Shah (Maahi’s parent): Make your own story book competition is a fantastic platform that helps kids to be creative and enables them to understand how books are actually made. It really drives the passion for story writing amongst the children. With the awards ceremony, Maahi especially loved the workshop with Michael so would be lovely to incorporate that in the future if possible as the previous one at the Literature Centre did not have that.
Katrina and Haydn (Josie's parents):We really were thrilled to be a part of the ceremony last week. It felt great as parents to be able to attend such a lovely venue and celebrate not only our own daughter but the other beautifully creative kids too. Michael Speechley was an amazing, funny and relatable guest speaker. We loved how he encouraged hard work, failing occasionally and getting up and on with it. And he was so generous to share his talents with all of us and treat the young writers to a workshop with him. Our daughter has shared her experience with her school, and after seeing the young girls present at the ceremony, she felt confident and inspired to stand up in front of her own class and talk about the process of writing her story, focusing on the concept of ‘even though you might think it’s hard, give it a go anyway, it's so much fun’.
Jess Spaven (Mena's parent): Mena had some very supportive and inspirational teachers who motivated her to keep on trying. Last year she co-authored a book which came third in its class and this year she was awarded first prize for the storybook category. It has been such a period of personal growth for her and competitions such as this really do bring out everyone's best efforts to produce their very best work. Her eyes have been opened to a new path that has been surprising and rewarding and could lead her anywhere she chooses to go!
Thanks to our supporting bookstores and Committee members. The various facets of the competition could not be managed without you.
A final word from Michael Speechley:Thanks for having me at the MYOSB competition the other day. It was nice to present to those clever kids. Denise Robins and Jane Stanton
Muriel Barwell Award
Congratulations! Jennifer Jackson is the 2020 Muriel Barwell Award recipient!
The announcement that Jennifer Jackson was the 2020 recipient of the Muriel Barwell Award for Distinguished Service to Children’s Literature was met with squeals of delight and wild applause at the CBCA Book Week dinner on Friday 16 October.
As the Director of Paper Bird Children’s Books and Arts, Jennifer has made a huge impact on the children’s literature scene in WA by creating a space which is so much more than a book shop.
In 2017 to coincide with Paper Bird’s first anniversary Jen offered exclusive studio space for 3-month periods, free of charge, in the form of Paper Bird Fellowships. Fellows participate in a workshop or writer/artist talk during the residency to engage the community in their work. The 13 Fellows to date are unanimous in their praise of Jen for such validation and practical support.
Aware of the need for a holistic approach to education and child-rearing, Jen generously offers her space for child-related workshops such as yoga, music, dance, mother-baby groups and discussions of parenting issues. Paper Bird offers workshops and clinical services for children with special needs. Inkling Arts and Story Lab workshops are open to everyone, and there is the opportunity for scheduling specific workshops to meet the needs of a group of people. A paediatric Speech Pathologist, is on hand 2 mornings a week for consultation. Twice weekly story telling sessions are held under the beautiful tree in the courtyard.
Jen’s championing of Noongar stories culminated in the inaugural Woylie festival held over the Easter long weekend in 2018. This huge undertaking showcased local and interstate Aboriginal storytellers over five wonderful days of music, dance, spoken word and art and has now become an annual event.
Under Jen’s capable direction this dedicated children’s story house has rapidly evolved into a dynamic cultural hub with writers, story tellers & illustrators on hand, workshops and kids’ book clubs, book launches, and discussion panels plus inviting gallery space and somewhere to immerse yourself in a good read. It is an essential part of a growing literary precinct in the West End of Fremantle.
Jen’s passion for children’s literature, her networking skills, her generosity in sharing the space and her ideas make her a very worth recipient of the Muriel Barwell Award for 2020.
Gail Spiers
Convenor Muriel Barwell Award
ANWOS 2021 - Save the Date!
Karen Blair Silent Auction
This original charcoal and watercolour sketch is signed by the artist Karen Blair and will be offered for sale via silent auction in the lead up to A Night with our Stars 2021. It is based on her winning CBCA Honour Book When Billy was a Dog written by Kirstie Murray and published by Allen & Unwin. This exquisite framed piece measures 43cm x 33cm.
Details will be posted on our social media platforms – Facebook and Instagram – on our website and in our first newsletter for 2021.
The CBCA WA Branch thanks Karen for her ongoing generous support.
2022/2023 CBCA Book of the Year Judges
The closing date for expressions of interest in Judges positions for the 2022/23 awards has now passed and we thank all those who applied. It is wonderful to have so many volunteers eager to support the CBCA in this important way. A shortlist of candidates selected by the WA Branch will be forwarded to the National Office and successful applicants will be notified accordingly.
Judges Talks
Social distancing restrictions and health concerns have been two of the factors influencing our ability to provide information about the shortlisted books to our members and we regret not being able to offer the usual face to face events this year. Our WA Judges Sandi Parsons and Jan Pocock recorded a Webex session hosted by committee member and past judge Felicia Harris and we invite you to view their presentation. We hope you find it helpful and informative.
The White Ravens 2020 Catalogue has been released and WA has done brilliantly with two authors featured - Jannali Jones for My Brother's Shadow(Magabala Books) and Meg Caddy for Devil's Ballast (Text Publishing).
CBCA WA Committee member Lindsay Fletcher was awarded Highly Commended in the 2020 Greenleaf Buds Competition for Too Many Rabbits! A Cautionary Tail. Please read more information about the awards here.
Dr Robin Morrow AM has joined the prestigious IBBY Hans Christian Andersen Award Jury 2022. More details can be found here.
Book Discussion Group
The Book Discussion Group will be hosting a talk and Q&A session with Rebecca Higgie, award-winning author of The History of Mischief, on Wednesday 25 November at Oasis Lotteries House, 37 Hampden Rd Nedlands.
Light refreshments will be served from 6.30pm.
Whilst it is not essential that people have read Rebecca’s book beforehand, it would certainly enhance the experience. Rebecca will be available to sign copies of The History of Mischief after her talk.
Limited places are available so book early to avoid disappointment.
Despite the chilly night, Fremantle Arts Centre was filled with guests waiting to see Maria Papas awarded the 2020 City of Fremantle Hungerford Award. As part of her prize Maria receives $15,000 and a publishing contract with Fremantle Press for her winning manuscript, I Belong to the Lake, a literary fiction dealing with the experiences of child with a dangerously ill sibling. In its 30th year, the night also saw the launch of an unprecedented 17 titles from Fremantle Press including works from Yuot A. Alaak, Bron Bateman, Stella Budrikis, Kelly Canby, Moira Court, Jon Doust, James Foley, Elaine Forrestal, Tracey Gibbs, Rebecca Higgie, Shirley Marr and Katy Jiang, Helen Milroy, Brian Simmonds, Julie Sprigg, Katie Stewart, Alexander Thorpe and David Whish-Wilson.
Co-hosted by the effervescent Cristy Burne and Kathryn Lefroy, the night was a joyful celebration of Western Australian literary talent.
Win a Writing Session at the Australian Storytellers Festival
The Australian Storytellers Festival is on Sunday 15 November (more information is below in our Dates For Your Diary section).
The Literature Centre is running a competition for young writers aged between 8-12 years old to win a writing session with WA authors Cristy Burne or Jen Banyard.
Details, including entry forms are available here. The competition closes 4 November.
Recent Book Launches from WA Authors and Illustrators
Kidogo Arthouse in Fremantle was packed to the rafters on Thursday 22 October for the launch of The BOO-book written by Jennifer Mars, illustrated by Wendy Binks and published by Stunned Emu Press. Apart from the beautiful book it’s hard to know what the biggest drawcard was – the two magnificent owls brought along by Amanda and Stuart Payne from the WA Conservation of Raptors, the display of working sketches, clay maquettes and the model treehouse Wendy used as inspiration for the illustrations, the wonderful art works for sale or the delicious owl biscuits which looked too cute to eat! Norman Jorgensen launched the book in fine style resisting the temptation to fling it across the room in imitation of a bird in flight and the MC was also an accomplished auctioneer raising $2000 for an original double spread art work from the book. The many kids in attendance loved making masks at the craft table and young and old alike were mesmerised by the owls. Well done, Wendy and Jennifer!
Wonderful to see so many kids (as well as adults) at the launch of Steve Heron's exquisite new book, Ling Li's Lantern, at Paper Bird Books & Arts on 27 September where Lorraine Horsley did the honours in style. As well as yummy cake (demonstrating Steve's culinary talents) and edible treats there were paper lanterns for the kids to decorate. Great fun all round!
Elaine Forrestal launched her latest book, Goldfields Girl published by Fremantle Pressin fine style at State Library of WA on 25 September. A special guest, Merv, the grandson of her main character, Clara was in attendance and the theatre was transformed into a bush pub complete with live music!
by Meg McKinlay
Illustrated by Matt Otley Walker Books
Meg McKinlay’s beautiful book How To Make A Bird was launched byFrané Lessac at The Literature Centre on the 29 October. We were shown how to make a bird and paper birds flew through the air as the book was launched into the world including places as far away as Denmark in Scandinavia. The book was made more special by the incredible artwork of Matt Otley. Matt made a video appearance at the launch talking about how the words touched him and allowed the artwork to flow. Meg first submitted the book for publication in 2003. It was the first thing she had ever sent to a publisher and it was well and truly rejected. Undeterred she resubmitted it four years ago and the result is a very beautiful, touching picture book for all ages.
It was a beautiful evening on the 29 October in Mosman Park for the launch of the gorgeous picture book Claudette by Helene Magisson, with amazing artwork, wine tasting and nibbles, all in a leafy courtyard under the stars. Sandra van Doorn, the lovely owner of the boutique independent publishing company Red Paper Kite, welcomed everyone with a smile and a chat. The author Helene unfortunately could not be there as she is in Melbourne, but Sandra gave us an insight into the book and also her small publishing company. Red Paper Kite publishes beautiful quirky picture books with added colouring pages that give children (and grown-ups as well!) permission to doodle and add to the narrative, giving them space to be the illustrators or writers.
Claudette is the story of a rickety misfit of a puppet which sits on the shelf of the puppet maker's shop, longing for freedom and adventure. She dreams of being like the other puppets, and travelling far away, until one day something magical happens. It is beautifully printed and illustrated, and is a magical story. Artwork from some of their other books were also on display, Hugo, The Boy with the Curious Mark by Yohann Devezy and Mauela Adreani, and Miss Eliza Flowerdew Can Nearly Touch the Ceiling by Brenda Gurr and Helene Magisson.
Leaving with a small gift bag of treasures, and a large bag of purchased books, it was truly a magical experience.
Tracey Willis
Little Book Bites
If you have a picture of a child, family member, pet or any other interesting reader you'd like to feature in our electronic newsletter, we'd love to see it! Please email it to beckborona@gmail.com.
New Releases from WA Authors, Illustrators and Publishers
Hélène Magisson Claudette
Red Paper Kite
October 2020
Sigi Cohen
Illustrated by James Foley There's Something Weird
About Lena
Walker Books
October 2020
Meg McKinlay
Illustrated by Matt Ottley How to Make a Bird
Walker Books
October 2020
Gabriel Evans Norton and the Bear
Berbay
October 2020
Teniele Arnold
Illustrated by Bronwyn Blackwell The Adventures of: Ellie's Wellies
Peacock Press
November 2020
Rebecca J Palmer Monkey Mind
Little Pink Dog Books
November 2020
Dates for Your Diary
It’s so exciting to see that live book launches are happening again. Please check our social media – Facebook and Instagram - for the most current information about these.
Date: Online from November 2 to November 30, 2020
Venue: CBCA NSW Branch Website
Theme: Information Texts in a Digital Age
Monkey Mind Book Launch
by Rebecca J Palmer
10 November
6pm - 8pm The Literature Centre Knutsford St &, Hampton Rd, Fremantle
To RSVP by 6 November, please see the Facebook event page.
WA Branch Supporting Bookstores
Buy your books from the experts at these stores and receive the discount offered to all CBCA members.
CBCA WA Branch Committee Members President - Jan Nicholls, Vice President - Natalya Hawrylak,
Liz Allen, Nola Allen, Beck Borona, Sharon Coppin, Mary Gimondo,
Felicia Harris, Lorraine Horsley, Sarah Klass, Tania Longman,
Sheena Matthews, Chloe Mauger, Tyshana McEwen, Trish Montgomery, Denise Robins,
Gail Spiers, Jane Stanton, Sue Stopher, Kris Williams,
Tracey Willis, Sally Woffenden.
National Board Director: Tania Longman Newsletter Editor: Beck Borona Website Manager: Sarah Klass WA Book of the Year Judges: Sandi Parsons, Jan Pocock
