sallymurphy.com.au

Sally Murphy, Australian author

Release Day: Queen Narelle is here!

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Move over  Cat in the Hat!

Move over Cheshire Cat!

Move over Macavity Cat!

There’s a new cat in town – and she’s not just any cat – she is a queen.

The Queen.

Queen Narelle!

And today her story is finally available  in print so that her loyal subjects can learn of her great deeds.

Come worship! Pay your respects!

Okay, maybe that’s a little over the top, but I am very excited because, at last, the release day is here, and Queen Narelle is in stores all over Australia and New Zealand.

The story of a cat (Narelle) who may think she is the queen of the household and act accordingly, but also has a wise and gentle heart. When her human, Maddie, has a tough time at school, it is Narelle who notices, watches and comforts.

A verse novel (because that’s my favourite form), with beautiful illustrations courtesy of Simon O’Carrigan, Queen Narelle is suitable for cat-lovers of all ages, and for young readers who have ever had a friend, fought with a friend, or needed a friend.

Available now wherever good books are sold (if you can’t spot it, ask your bookseller to get it in) or online and as an  ebook too. If you read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts – here on my website or on Instagram or Facebook.

Now, on with the coronation. Sound the drums, blow those horns and let the procession begin.

People of Australia, people of the world, I give you….

Queen Narelle!

Queen Narelle: Three Weeks to Go!

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Just wanted to paws for a minute to remind you that its only THREE MORE WEEKS until Queen Narelle is released – or perhaps, more aptly, until Narelle’s Coronation.

I just can’t wait to share this little book with you and with the whole world – but wait I must, and so must you.

Luckily, I am having fun on Instagram and elsewhere spreading cat jokes and tiaras and other bits and pieces to spread the word.

And three weeks will just whizz by, I’m sure. But, in the meantime, if you want more verse novel fun while you wait, you might check out my previous verse novels;

Pearl Verses the World

Toppling

Roses are Blue and

Worse Things.

All still in print – and, if you click the links you can read more about them and even hear me read extracts of each.

If you want to be at the front of the procession for Queen Narelle, you can preorder now – at your favourite local bookshop or  online.

 

Queen Narelle: One Month to Go!

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There is a new monarch! Huzzah! Hurrah! Strike up the band and come bear witness.!

What?  Wait!  You saw it on the telly?  And all over the internet yesterday?  Pah! A King on the other side of the world might be interesting to some but I’m talking about a very different monarch. Because (drumroll please) ….

Queen Narelle is almost here!

Who is this new Queen? Why she is THE Queen (especially if  you ask her!) and although she may be a little haughty she is also very special.

Did I mention she is also a cat? And the star of my new verse novel?

Well, she is – and I absolutely cannot wait to introduce you to her. But, according to the people at Walker Books I do have to wait. But only for one more month!

And, in the meantime, I am gearing up to share lots of tidbits – some about the book, some about me, and lots of cat fun.

I’ll be sharing some of this here on the website, and other bits and pieces on Instagram and Facebook – so if you don’t already follow me, now’s the time!  And, of course, I look forward to also sharing in face to face events. so watch this space for details of launches and appearances (and, if you’d like to visit your school, bookshop, festival,  or any other event – let me know)

And, although you have to wait a month to  get your hands on a copy, you can preorder now online or drop in to your local bookshop and ask them to save you a copy.

Life is purrfect when there is a new book in the air!

 

 

 

A Cover Reveal: Queen Narelle is coming

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Can you hear the trumpets sounding?

Da da da daaaaaaa.

Can you hear the drums drumming?

Bom bom bom bom bom bom bom bom

Can you hear the people cheering?

Hurrah hurrah hurrah hurrah hurrah

(You can’t? Well you’ll just have to imagine then!)

Please rise and welcome…

Queen Narelle!

Who is Queen Narelle? Well, as well as being the title of my upcoming verse novel, she is also a rather delightful, clever, and very regal cat. And today she is here because it is cover reveal day!

And, rather than keeping you (and Queen Narelle) waiting, here it is:

Isn’t it lovely? Simon O’Carrigan has done a beautiful job of bringing my little cat to life. And the design team at Walker Books have then worked some extra magic to make the cover simply scrumptious.

You do have to wait a little longer to find out what’s inside that cover – release date is June 3 – but I look forward to sharing Narelle’s story, as well as that of her human, Maddie, with readers of all ages.

It’s extra fitting that I am revealing the cover today, because Queen Narelle is a verse novel, and, of course,  today is Poetry Friday.  So, to top off the celebration, I thought I’d share a couple of cat poems. One of my own –  Marmalade and Marmaduke – published in the School Magazine and then brought to life with a reading by Geoffrey McSkimming, and artwork by Matt Ottley.

 

and another, a favourite from my childhood, by Eleanor Farjeon

Cats Sleep Anywhere

Cats sleep anywhere,
Any table, any chair
Top of piano, window-ledge,
In the middle, on the edge,
Open drawer, empty shoe,
Anybody’s lap will do!
Fitted in a cardboard box,
In the cupboard, with your frocks-
Anywhere! They don’t care!
Cats sleep anywhere.

by Eleanor Farjeon

I do love cat poems – and, while my dog George is less impressed, I cannot wait to share Queen Narelle with you, in paperback and in ebook format   in June.

Want more poems? Come with me – I am off to pounce on the delights of Poetry Friday, with the Roundup hosted by Jan at Bookseed Studio.

sallymurphy.com.au