One of the absolute joys of being an author is the chance to meet and engage with young people.
In January I have two such chances and am still smiling when I think of them.
First, I went up to Perth and, for the first time ever, presented in the Hay Street Mall, a part of Perth I have always loved, as it holds many memories, usually around shopping with first my mum, then my friends and, as an adult, with my husband, children, or by myself. But this visit was special – because in a previously vacant shop space, the Centre for Stories has set up a Story Lounge – and I was invited in, courtesy of the Literature Centre.
I ran a writing workshop for upper primary aged writers, and we had a lot of fun exploring the contents of a Writer’s Toolbox. I didn’t get any photos, but the Lit Centre posted this lovely story about it, also showcasing the two other writers who were part of the line-up.
View this post on Instagram
Then, just yesterday, I was lucky enough to be invited to a Teddy Bears’ Picnic, hosted by the City of Bunbury Libraries, and held at Maidens Park, not too far from where I live.
With Jono and Penny from the Bunbury Library
What fun! I took my trusty old teddy bear, Pandy, who I have had for as long as I can remember, and we read, sang, spoke and laughed to and with lots of children, parents and teddy bears. The library staff had asked me to read my first two picture books – Floatingest Frog (which is still in print) and Pemberthy Bear (which, sadly, isn’t), and it was a real joy to bring these books out for a new audience.
You can see here just how much fun I have reading – I am reading the line “aaaaaaalll the way over here” while Penny and Tanya look on:
A park is always a lovely place to share – but this park was extra lovely, with towering gum trees, plenty of shade and – a bonus – a kookaburra laughing along to some of the lines. Pandy had a lovely outing too, and I have promised him he’ll be taken along again one day.
Now I’m back at my desk writing more, reading more, but looking forward to more lovely outings in 2023.
If you follow this blog, or my social media accounts, you might have noticed that I love beaches and dogs almost as much as I love poetry. A couple of years
ago I was walking on the beach when I snapped a photo of one of my favourite beach dogs, Flo. Soon afterwards, I posted that photo and a poem here on my blog in a Poetry Friday post. Then, last year, I included both the photo and the poem in my poetry book, Teaching Poetry for Pleasure and Purpose.
Although I told Flo’s owners of this, and have seen them lots of times since, it has always been on the beach and, of course, I didn’t have a copy with me. But this week, finally, I was able to present Flo and her lovely people with their very own copy. And here is Flo, admiring herself and her poem. Isn’t she lovely?
Happy New Year! This is my favourite time of the year because it’s summer and I can visit the beach, and swim, and because I have fewer commitments in my day job, meaning more time for family and friends – and reading.
Receiving my medal from the Governor
It’s also a good time to take stock. 2022 was a really busy year for me, personally and professionally. Perhaps the biggest thing was a bit of both – the recognition I received in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, with an OAM for my services to children’s literature and education. This was the most unexpected honour, but what was so wonderful wasn’t the medal, or the letters after my name, or the fancy reception. It was being blown away by all the love I felt – from friends and family, but also from peers, colleagues, readers and complete strangers. I had no idea that so many people would be happy for me, or see me as worthy of such a thing. As a result, I have been left with a stronger sense of what I do, and what I still want to do, in my work life, as well as a personal sense of being seen. It was also a wonderful reminder to me of the value in letting people know when you are happy for their achievements, or when you value what they have done, big or small. I still don’t know who nominated me, and maybe I never will – but whoever you are, thank you.
Lots of other stuff happened in 2022. I worked hard, spent time with my husband, children and grandchildren, and with friends and extended family. I swam (not as much as I’d like, but enough to keep moving), walked on the beach and welcomed my gorgeous new puppy (George) into my life. I wrote – including finishing a verse novel and having it accepted, and also finalising work on a previous one – meaning I have one coming out in June this year, and another early in 2024. I spoke at festivals and at schools and other events. I read lots of wonderful books. We had a wedding in the family and, like every family, lots of highs and lows/challenges.
And now it’s a new year, and I have been thinking about what it might hold, and how I’d like it to look. I used to write lists of resolutions or goals – and I think these can be useful. But I prefer to try to narrow those goals down to a theme – or, as I’ve heard it described – one little word. This year, my word came easily – and here it is (presented on my new toy, a lego dots noticeboard):
That’s right – my word is healthy. And what it means to me is that I would like to focus on all areas of my my health – physical and mental health of course, but also making healthy choices about boundaries, and time, and the way I treat myself, others and the planet. I started the year with a few niggling little physical things – back pain, fatigue left over from a bout of Covid, some stress and sleep problems, a feeling that there are things left undone in my writing and academic work, a sense that I sometimes don’t commit fully to being present with people I love – and a hope that I can do more to change the world, in small or bigger ways. I feel that my word can serve as a direction for the choices I make and the things that I do and I have propped my sign next to my desk so that I can see it and be reminded on a daily basis.
So here’s to a healthy year – for me, for you and for the whole world.
It’s the last day of December which means a wrap up of my reading for the month. I read 8 books, a number which surprised me because I spent lots of time with family this month, and also napped more, so still managing 8 books. was not a bad achievement. Here’s what I read.
Books for Children
2. Raggedy Ann Stories and Raggedy Andy Stories, by Johnny Gruelle (Audible). Another audio book of a classic, and much more enjoyable. Toys that come alive and have adventures is a far cry from the above, though, being written over a century ago, there are some aspects that are outdated.
3. Mr Dumby’s Duck, by Colin Thiele, illustrated by Mark Wilson. Written by one of Australia’s best loved authors, and published in the same year he died, this is a cute little story about a man and his much-loved duck – who also proves very handy as a guard-duck. I rediscovered this one as I rearranged my bookshelves, and am glad.
4. Accidentally Kelly Street, by Briony Stewart with lyrics by Tim O’Connor (Affirm Press, 2022). I have been very excited about this picture book for a long time – knowing that Briony was working on it, and having adored this song since it was released. But I did not predict just how amazingly she has interpreted the song, depicting a family making a new start in Kelly Street. You have to see it for real to see why it took my breath away. Go and buy it, and share and discuss it.
5. Sea Horse, by Bruce Pascoe (Magabala Books, 2015). This was my last read for the year and a good one to finish on. I have been consciously working to ensure I read more books by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, our first nations people, both to educate myself and to ensure I have a really diverse collection to share. This is the story of Jack, who, on a camping trip with his family, spots a sunken boat under the water, beginning an adventure with mystery and excitement.
Books for Adults
Tell Me Lies, by J. P Pomare (audible, 2022) This is the second book of this author I have listened to. Psychological thriller with plenty of twists and turns.2. To Teach: The Journey, in Comics by William Ayers and Ryan Alexander-Tanner (Teachers College Press, 2010). This was a gift from my boss – very appropriate given that we both work in the School of Education. Possibly the best book I’ve seen for teachers, and student-teachers – and it’s a comic! Just such a wonderful way to explore the highs and lows of teaching, but, more importantly, the importance of imaginative teaching. Love it!
3. The Wrong Sister, by Fiona Palmer (Hachette, 2022). I picked this one up purely because of the tile – having four sisters, the title tickled my fancy. Not my usual kind of read but a good December read, with an exploration of family, trauma and romance, set in Western Australia’s north.
This brings my total for the year to 169, which is 16 more than 2021. On reflection, while I am happy with this total, my goal for 2023 will be not to read more, but to ensure I really enjoy reading – because I set myself a numerical goal, I did find myself sometimes feeling guilty if I did not get through ‘enough’ books, and had to remind myself that it wasn’t a race. So, we shall see how I go in 2023. I do have an enormous to read pile, and so many books I want to read – so I may still reach a big number. But I am going to also give myself permission to put a book aside if I’m not enjoying it, or to read slowly to really savour a good one.
Another month down, another round up up of what I read in the month just gone. I managed 19 books in November, which was a lot in a busy month, and also passed my goal of matching last year’s total – with a month still to go. Not that it’s all about numbers – it’s great to read a lot of books, but it’s even better to read books that I enjoy, or learn from. Anyway, here’s what I’ve been reading.
The Courage of Magnolia Moon, by Edwina Wyatt (Walker Books, 2022). This is the third book featuring Magnolia, and it is as enchanting as its predecessors. Magnolia is an everyday child with everyday worries – but she tackles them with heart. Each chapter stands alone as little vignette of a situation where Magnolia has to find her inner courage, but also builds to a whole. Just lovely – and I had to celebrate with a blackout poem on Instagram.
The Book That No One Wanted to Read, by Richard Ayoade, illustrated by Tor Freeman (Walker Books, 2022). This is clever, told by the book itself and sure to have young readers laughing out loud, but would also make an excellent classroom book, with loads of ways to use it a mentor text, or to inspire book discussion, or reading, or lots of things.
The Honest Truth, by Dan Gemeinhart (Chicken House, 2015). This one has been in my tbr pile for 7 years, first coming as an unsolicited review copy. I’m glad it finally caught my eye, and wish I’d read it sooner. Mark is on the run – from home, but, more importantly, from facing the truth that his cancer has returned. He’s going to fulfil a dying wish, and climb a mountain. Back home, his best friend struggles with knowing that she alone knows where he might be, but that telling would break her promise to Mark.
Fairytales Gone Bad: Creeping Beauty, by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Freya Hartas (Walker Books, 2022). As the title suggests, this is not your standard fairytale. Lots of fun – and it’s written as a verse novel, so I loved it.
Clash, by Kayla Miller (Walker Books, 2022). I’m enjoying this series of graphic novels, which can each stand alone. In this one Olive deals with the changes brought by a new girl arriving at school.
Crunch, by Kayla Miller (Walker Books, 2022). And another in this series. This one about how Olive tries to manage way too many commitments.
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, by Kate Douglas Wiggin (this version Blackstone Audio, 2007). Another classic book, downloaded and listened to in the car. I thought I had read this as a child and parts of it were familiar, but not as familiar as Heidi and The Secret Garden. I’m not sure why. I enjoyed it but didn’t have those same tingles of rightness and reconnection.
Toodle the Cavoodle Sniffle Snuffle, by Richard Tulloch, illustrated by Heidi Cooper Smith (Big Sky Publishing, 2022). This was received as a review copy and, being newly the owner f a cavoodle, I had to read it straight away. A realty cute story about a dog, a family, and a bit of a message about littering, too. Lots of onomatopoeia in the playful text, which I think my grandlings will enjoy.
A Walk in the Dark, by Jane Godwin (Lothian, 2022). Five teenagers are grouped for a night-hike organised by their less than conventional teacher. Butt hey are trained and should be back at school by midnight. In a night where everything that could go wrong does, they have to learn from and support each other. I really enjoyed this and wrote another black out poem on Instagram here.
The Road Trip, by Beth O’Leary (Quercus, 2022). I downloaded this one on Audio, thinking it would be a rom-com, and needing something light. It was less light than I thought – but a wonderful blend of humour, pathos and difficult stuff as a road trip to a wedding goes from a fun adventure to a series of misfortunes, and Addie and Dylan, who had a difficult break up a year ago, work through what happened and why.2. 
Nganga, by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson (Walker Books, 2020). This book has been in my reading pile for a little while, and I wish I had read it sooner. It isn’t a long read – I read it in one evening – but it is important. Unpacking the meaning of usage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander words that are part of everyday usage, as well as words used about these people – including the word Aboriginal itself – it is really accessible but also the kind of book everyone who lives on this wonderful land should read.
3.
Home Before Night, by J. P. Pomare (Audible Originals, 2022). This is an Audible original. I like to listen to some of these as they are usually short and allow me to dip into different genres and authors. This one was absorbing – a missing son, who, in the midst of a snap lockdown goes missing. Only his mother is sure he is missing – but she is right, and readers are kept guessing for a long time as to where he is and why. Clever.
4. 
The Guy Who Decides, by Jimmy Rees (Affirm Press, 2022). I am a big fan of Jimmy Rees – like a lot of people, his videos on Facebook hit home in a way that makes me laugh, even when it’s at myself. So I had to buy the book, which was fun – though I must confess, because I have watched the videos I kind of wanted to just watch them again, and hear him do the voices. Reading on the page was maybe not as good – which is a big call from me.
5. 
ADHD 2.0, by Edward M. Hallowell MD & John J. Ratey MD (Ballantine Books, 2022). I really needed to read this book. A really clear, practical guide to living with ADHD, written by doctors who have it and treat it. I really recommend this for anyone who has ADHD, or who wants to understand it better.
6. 
The Comeback, by Lily Chu (Audible, 2022). Until recently I’d forgotten that I quite like the romance genre. This is an Audible original, and listening to it in the car was a pleasure. Ariadne is a career-focussed lawyer, and has no time for romance, or much at outside of work. But Jihoon, her housemate’s mysterious cousin from Korea, seems to get under her skin. Yes it’s romance but the story also explores themes of racism, family expectation and even fandom in the k-pop scene.
7. 
Cast Away: Poems for Our Time, by Naomi Shihab Nye (Greenwillow,2019). I gave myself this book of poems for Christmas last year, and then forgot about it, probably in the midst of holiday stuff. I am glad I rediscovered it and read it. This collection is themed around the topic of ‘trash’ – castoffs in a range of places, including on highways and beaches. The poems are sometimes funny, sometimes really serious, but always wonderfully wrought. I’ll be dipping into this again.
8. 
Just One Thing, by Dr Michael Mosley (Hachette, 2022). I picked this up because it has the same title as a (quite different) manuscript I’ve been working on for a while, but also because I like Michael Mosley’s practical, simple way of exploring issues relating to health and lifestyle. This is a series of simple things you could do to make quite big impacts on your life – and health. And, by the time I’d finished it, I had already started implementing some of the ideas.
This brings my total for the year to 161 – last year’s total was 153. And there’ll be a few more in December. I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading!