sallymurphy.com.au

Sally Murphy, Australian author

Snow Globes – Coca-Cola 2010 Christmas Commercial (long version)

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Another video I’ve not seen before – and yes, I do realise this is a  Coke ad, but it features Train, a band I happen to like. I went so far as to buy their CD this time last year and my kids said “that song sounds just like the Coke ad.” Funny that.

nother vdther video  I<br>b

New Friends, New Roles, New Books – and the National Year of Reading

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Last night I had dinner with the members of my new bookgroup. To clarify, the group isn’t new – but I am new to the group, having been invited to join because a member is leaving. I’ve wanted to be part of a bookgroup for ever, but never managed to find one with an opening for a new member. Then this one kind of fell in my lap, when I met up with a lovely lady I knew when I lived in Donnybrook 12 years ago and hadn’t seen since. We ran in to each other at an event at Bunbury Library (where Jessica Rudd was speaking), and, a week ro so later, I was asked if I’d be interested in joining the book group.

Anyway, Iwas delighted to meet the rest of the group’s members last night over a pleasant meal at Casellas on the Marlston waterfront. And I’m looking forward to being part of the group properly in 2012. It’s especially lovely to be joining a group just in time for the National Year of Reading. What a wonderful way to celebrate the year – sharing the reading experience with a group of fellow booklovers.

Also special for me in 2012 is that I’ve been asked to be the Bunbury Library’s local ambassador for the year. I met with Karen Dennison from the Library last week to discuss about her plans for the year. I’m really excited about being asked to take on this role, and about the various activities planned.

I’m excited too about the fact that I have a new book baby coming out in March – again during the National Year of Reading. Do Not Forget Australia has been several years in the making, and is really looking good. Watch this space for more information.

Lastly, I’m excited about the whole National Year of Reading. There are some brilliant National and State Ambassadors who will be spreading th word to young and old about the value of reading. There are all kinds of activities planned, online bookgroups and memes springing up, and just lots of buzz about the year ahead. Of course, every year should be focussed on reading, but in 2012 there will be a special focus which, hopefully, will remind the whole country just how wonderful – and vital – reading is.

What are you doing for the National Year of Reading?

Hallelujah!

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More Christmas goodness. The Hallelujah Chorus was a big part of my growing up. I spent two years of my life trapped in boarding school, and part of our annual speech night was the whole school massed choir. Not sure the Hallelujah Chorus was done every year, but it was pretty regular – and although I was only there for two years, I’d been attending speech nights there for 10 years or so, because my sister were there. I always felt a thrill on hearing the chorus, until of course I was one of the people who had to both learn it and sing it (although, if I’m, honest, even my 16 year old self who had to act like it was uncool, deep down was excited to be finally part of it).

Later, I bought CD versions of the Messiah, and when I was heavily pregnant with Murphlet 3, my beloved took me to see it performed at the Perth Concert Hall.

I still love it. But I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a performance as good as this one. Enjoy!

Good News

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It’s been a good news week for me:
First, my newest book-baby Head Hog, published by Koala Books and illustrated by the wonderful Ben Wood snuck out into the world – being released without me knowing!  This one has been a long time coming, so I’m thrilled to see it finally on sale. The tiny bit of bad news there is that a distribution glitch means it is only available directly through the publisher’s website at the moment,  so you won’t see it in any stores at the moment. But it can be bought online from this link.
Secondly, the proofs for my new picture book, Do Not ForgetAustralia, illustrated by Sonia Kretschmar and due to be published by WalkerBooks in March, arrived in today’s mail. I am so excited about the illustrations and design or this book and can’t wait to show it to the world.
I’ve also been busy setting up a new website, aimed at young fans of my books. You can check it out here and, if a child in your life has read any of my books, I would love to hear their reviews or questions through the site.
Hope your week is going well, too J
sallymurphy.com.au