It’s always fun to get out and meet – and speak to – young readers. It’s an added bonus when I get to do with other authors and illustrators, which is just what happened on Saturday when I was part of the Backyard Bookfair at the State Library of WA.  Have a look at the program to see just how deep the talent pool was:

The theater was home to a series of shenanigans presentations, where we each had ten minutes to talk, present an activity, read, or whatever else took our fancy.

I had promised a craft activity, a promise that was made some time ago. And, although I did indeed deliver on this (see right for evidence of the wonderful threading of stars which took place), I also decided that what I do best  is words. SO, as well as the star activity, I wrote and performed a Christmas rap.  I had the audience participate in the chorus and it was a lot of fun.

So, if you’ve never heard me speak, or if you’ve ever wondered what I might sound like trying to rap, here’s the snippet my friend James Foley captured for me.

As well as rapping, I got to hang out with friends like Teena Raffa-Mulligan

and Frane Lessac:

I also met lots of young people and their parents, signed copies of Looking Up, and, of course, watched the other presenters.

Oh, and there were cupcakes!

What a wonderful day.  

PS

There are still 19 sleeps till Christmas. Plenty of time if you’d like to buy a book for the young reader in your life. If you’d like one of mine, signed and posted to you, contact me here.