Children’s Book Week so far

There isn’t a busier or more exciting week as a children’s author or illustrator in Australia, than Children’s Book Week and we are right in the middle of it . . . now!

This year for me has been a little bit different, Children’s Book Week not quite as busy, but my visits are spread out more, including the weeks before and after book week.

Last Friday I was honoured to be asked to be the guest speaker at the Victorian announcement of the Children’s Book Council Book of the Year Awards at the State Library where authors, illustrators, publishers, librarians and members of the children’s book industry in Victoria, gathered to hear the announcement.

On Monday I drove to the Lilydale Library where I met students and teachers from three small country schools to talk about books, reading and writing. Although I talked about Queenie, Flame Stands Waiting and Hey Baby! for country kids it always seems to be The Dog on the Tuckerbox they are drawn to, perhaps because of the bush setting and the fact that most children probably have a ‘Lady’ in their backyard or on their country property.

All the students were attentive and wonderful but there was one little preppie who stood out. During my presentation he was sitting on a chair close by and kept tugging my jumper and asking ‘Corinne Fenton, what’s your website, www and then what’? He kept repeating this over and over again.

It was a great visit with library staff bending over backwards to look after me. Thank you.

On Thursday 22nd I will be reading and signing books at Werribee Plaza at the Pop-up Library from 1.00 – 2.00 p.m. and on Sunday 25th I’ll be at Hurstbridge Primary School from 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. reading books, talking about them and doing craft activities with children at the Nillumbik Family Literacy Festival as part of the Hurstbridge Wattle Festival. It would be lovely to meet you at either venue.

In the meantime, Happy Book Week to everyone.