Happy birthday to you! 
Happy birthday tooo you!
Happy birthday dear Worse Things
Happy birthday to yoooooooooooouuuu!
That’s right, today is a special day because it is Worse Things‘ second birthday. Hard to believe that it has been out in the world for two whole years.
In that time it has been read and (hopefully) loved by readers all around Australia. And I am forever grateful that Walker Books published it and that the absolutely amazing and awesome illustrator Sarah Davis illustrated it.
But wait – there’s more because (drumroll please) …..
it’s ALSO Pearl Verses the World‘s birthday.
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday tooo you!
Happy birthday dear Pearl
Happy birthday to yoooooooooooouuuu!
Now, if you read this book when it first came out then you might be amazed to realise how very quickly time has flown because Pearl Verses the World is not two years old, and not even three years old. In fact (I CAN NOT believe this) Pearl Verses the World is 13 years old today!
13 years since this little book was published (again by the amazing team at Walker Books, and illustrated by the equally as amazing Heather Potter) and changed my writing world.
So happy birthday little book babies. I am inordinately proud of you and of the fact you both remain in print. Long may you remain out there filling hearts and minds with your tales.
And to you, amazing readers – a massive thankyou! Stories work because readers pick them up, digest them and make them their own.
Note: if you have not read one or both of these books, this thank you is still for you – because I am sure you have read other, equally loved books by other amazing authors. And that’s fine. But if you’d like a sneak peak of Worse Things, here’s me reading the opening, filmed during lockdown when the book was released:
And here’s me reading the opening of Pearl Verses the World during the same lockdown.
And, because it’s a double birthday, I have a present to give away. Comment on this post and let me know which of these two books you would like to win. I will randomly choose one lucky winner on Thursday night (my time) and announce the winner here on my blog. Get to it! (nb If you win I will contact you for your postal address).
Happy double birthday, Sally! I hope there is cake? I have read and loved ‘Pearl’ so I would love to win a copy of ‘Worse things’. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks Karen. There is always cake 🙂 You are in the draw
My kids are taking on the world right now so I’d love a copy of Pearl Verses the World for my 9 year old daughter 🙂
Happy book birthdays!!!!
Thank you Judy! You are in the draw.
Oh that’s so amazing! I’d love a copy of Pearl versus the World for our school library! Fingers crossed!
Good luck Linda. You are in the draw.
Sally is a great name for an author! I’d love to own one of your beautiful books.
Thanks other Sally 🙂 You are now in the draw.
My copy of Pearl is looking almost as old as me (but not quite) as it’s been shared, loved and re-read so many times. A new copy would be wonderful.
Lovely to hear that Pearl is still being loved and shared, Pat. You’re in the draw.
Happy birthday to your books – and your mum! We would love one of them. We’ve enjoyed Worse Things and haven’t yet read about Pearl. Xxx
Thank you Sam. You are now in the draw.
Sally, oh Sally
How kind of you
To offer these gems
Of which there are two !
As I am not much of a winner
it’s definitely true,
That any of these beauties
Will surely do !
Sally, oh Sally
How kind of you
To offer these gems
Of which there are two !
As I am not much of a winner
it’s definitely true,
That any of these beauties
Will surely do !
Thank you Gianna
for dropping by
and entering your name.
It is now in the draw
to win
good luck with this small game.
Dear Dr Sally,
I would like to win a Pearl please.
Love Mel xo
Thank you for dropping in Mel. You are in the draw.
Happy birthday to both of you! We love to have a copy of our Pearl to add to our collection ❤️
Thanks Shaye. You are in the draw.
I’d totally love to win either of these birthday books! I recently gave away my copy of Worse Things to a 12 year old boy who is now loving it, too, and never did get hold of a copy of Pearl. Happy Book Birthday(s)!
Oh Cate – how generous of you. I am glad your young friend is enjoying it. Good luck in the draw!
You are so clever Sally, and I would love either book!?
Thanks Jocelyn. We must catch up one day! You are in the draw.
Ohh Sally!! What a gift!! I haven’t read either and it’s my sons first birthday tomorrow so I would love to gift either to him if we are the lucky ones!!
Happy birthday little one. That means it’s a year since I saw you. You are in the draw.
Hi Sally, I loved Worse Things, was my vote for the CBCA award last year. This would be my pick. Have read a number of your books. Thanks for writing. Gillian
Thanks so much Gillian. That is lovely of you. You are in the draw!
Not entering to win – because I’ve read Worse Things, loved it, and need to bring my copy over next time I see you for you to sign it for me. But I just wanted to say happy belated book birthdays! A teenager and a toddler … how lovely!
Thanks wodnerful Tamara. You are in the draw anyway – if you win you can nominate someone to gift it to 🙂
All of the happies to your beautiful books. As I’ve not read Worse Things that’s the book that I would choose 🙂 Thanks Sally!
And thanks for dropping in Jackie. Good luck!
Hi Sally.
Love to win Worse Things
.
You’re in the draw Peta. thanks for dropping by.
Oh dear!’
How to choose?
There couldn’t be worse things than what is in “Words Things”.
A book for these times.
But Pearl is a girl
You love and adore
And what’s more…
She learns that poetry can heal the hardest pain of all.
A book for all time.
So Pearl it is…
Even though she makes me feel older than I possibly could be.
It can’t be 13 years
since she came into the world.
May poetry live forever and all times.
Oh Gail
your comment made me smile.
So glad
you took the time
not just to visit
but to
versify with me.
And yes
I paused
and then counted on my fingers
(had to use some twice)
and paused again
when I realised that 13!