Author and social worker, Jessica Sanders is passionate about creating resources that foster and nurture positive mental health in children. Jess’ first book Love Your Body, illustrated by Carol Rossetti, is aimed at young girls. The book , which began as a Kickstarter, is now published in 29 countries, in several languages. Love Your Body...
Before COVID-19 changed our lives, this week would have been CBCA Book Week 2020 – Curious Creatures, Wild Minds. In the past when Monday of Book Week rolls around, my car is packed, my iPad filled with PowerPoints and my school-visit-bag loaded with throat lozenges to help my voice last the week. But this year,...
Young adult author, Mark Smith, writes cracking dystopian novels set around the beautiful wVictoria’s Great Ocean Road, where he lives. A former teacher, Mark is passionate about writing and sharing his skill with young writers. His trilogy, The Road to Winter, Wilder Country and Land of Fences is a fast-paced read loved by readers and...
Michael Pryor is one of Australia’s most loved authors. His highly acclaimed fantasy and science fiction novels include The Extraordinaries series and Gap Year In Ghost Town. As well as his many novels, Michael also writes short stories. In fact over 50 of his short stories have been published in Australia and overseas. The dapper...
What a heartbreaking time, especially for Victorians. More than ever we need time out from the craziness. Thank goodness for books. From picture books to door-stopper literary tomes, (Yes I loved The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel) books bring such comfort. There’s only one thing better than books, and that is talking about...
Welcome to a new week. What strange and unsettling times we live in. I hope you are staying well and looking after yourself and each other. Time for a little respite from all that is happening. Grab a coffee and join me for the latest Portable Magic. This week I interview energetic and enthusiastic children’s...
Tortoises, German turrets, scientists and dinosaurs. The latest Portable Magic has all that and more. My guest today is Jude Rossell. Jude writes and illustrates children’s books and so far has written 15 and illustrated 80. Her books include the fabulous and highly decorated Stella Montgomery series and brand new picture book, Pink, written by...
This week’s Portable Magic guest is author, Jackie Hosking. Jackie writes poetry for children, runs poetry courses and competitions and edits the on-line writing ezine, Pass It On. She’s also the author of picture books, including The Croc and The Platypus and Temper Tabitha, out in August, 2020. Jackie is known for her warmth and...
Jasmine Seymour’s Baby Business is an evocative and moving picture book about a First Nations People’s baby smoking ceremony. Released by Magabala books it is a rich, beautiful book that took my breath away. I was thrilled when I learned Jasmine was going to illustrate Family, the second book in the Our Place series written...
In Portable Magic this week I speak to award-winning author Claire Saxby. Claire is renowned for her picture books, non fiction and poetry for children and is passionate about books and writing. Claire talks about her latest release and first middle grade novel Haywire, the challenges she faced writing it, her passion for books and...
