Australia Illustrated And Australia Day

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The modus operandi behind the creation of Australia Illustrated was to celebrate Australia in a way that's inclusive, is respectful of our First Australians, and celebrates diversity and multiculturalism.

I am happy to celebrate an 'Australia day' when the date can be changed, and we can honour, with equality, the original custodians of this land and the enriching ethnicities that have come to call this land home.

facebook/hashtag/peace?source=feed_text&story_id=10154256524829562">#peace facebook/hashtag/changethedate?source=feed_text&story_id=10154256524829562">#changethedate

In the meantime, it's so great to see the book going strong since its release last year. An author's greatest fear is that your book will melt into the ether and disappear from shelves let alone the consciousness of beloved readers. ekbooks/" target="_blank">EK Books have a strong publicity arm (thanks, Alison!) and I'm so grateful for it. Indeed, I've had a week of radio interviews for Australia Day, and gosh, there are some gorgeous radio hosts out there; have had SO much fun chatting and talking about the importance of multiculturalism and diversity.

My kids are still off school (back next week), and today I ran them around a little and went to a new bookstore, Book Face, in Gungahlin. No matter how long you're in this game (10 years next year for me), seeing your book facing outwards (with over a dozen copies!!) in a bookstore is just the most beautiful feeling.

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And on top of that, when I rounded the corner, a woman was leafing through the book while her kids played at her feet. I wanted to say 'OMG, you're holding my book!' but I would never dare!

I did, however, introduce myself to the bookstore manager and signed a few copies. It's so nice to see local stores supporting local authors.

On the way out, I grabbed their Summer Reading Guide and was surprised to see Australia Illustrated tucked inside. It's the loveliest feeling because writing books is such a 'blind' career--you rarely get direct feedback, and often feel like you're stumbling along in a darkened room!

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It was also lovely to get EK Books' latest kids' catalogue last week and my little bee from Australia Illustrated is on the cover!

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And there are some lovely book promos inside... You might even see a little new book(s) preview if you look hard enough...

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And in super lovely news, Smile Cry is coming out in paperback and jessesmess/" target="_blank">Jess Racklyeft and I are working on a sequel AS I TYPE! We also have some VERY exciting potential book news ... but need to await confirmation; hopefully soon.

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The year is about to begin in earnest, and I have a lot planned and a lot to embark upon, which I'll reveal these coming months. Trust me when I say I will be stepping outside my comfort zone... a good thing!

Tomorrow I'm hosting a This is Banjo Paterson blog launch right here, so check back then for some cool posts on the production of the book, and more about Banjo's life. You can even win a copy of the book. Click the poster below for more.

And if you're in or near Canberra, don't miss the book's launch at the National Library on Sunday 12 February--more details nla.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">here! I'll also be appearing in a live Periscope video (my very first, yikes!) on 17 February--Banjo's birthday. More on that soon.

importantnutrientsspot/search?q=this-is-banjo-paterson-blog-launch" target="_blank">

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This Is Banjo Paterson Day 1 - Banjo Facts

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On Day 1 of our blog launch, I'm revealing some facts you may not know about Banjo's life. It was absolutely fascinating researching this talented man, and learning more about his extraordinary life.

How many of the following facts are new to you?

1. Banjo was born on 17 February 1864 at Narambla, New South Wales, and was the eldest of seven children--Rose Florence, Emily Jessie, Mary Edith, Hamilton Howison, Grace Sterling and Gwendolen Alexa. Children were often called by their second name, and this was the case with many of his sisters.
2. His middle name, Barton, was his mother's maiden name. Banjo's mum, Rose, was born in Australia while his dad, Andrew Bogle Paterson, was a Scottish immigrant.
3. His family called him 'Barty'.
4. Banjo's grandmother, Emily Mary Barton, was an accomplished poet. When he was 10, Banjo went to live with his grandmother in Sydney (where he attended Sydney Grammar), and she was instrumental in encouraging her grandson to read and write verse.
5. Another influence was a local bushman named Jerry the Rhymer. When Barty was a lad, he was fascinated by the way Jerry spoke--in rhyming slang.
6. Banjo's right arm was broken as a toddler and the break went unseen until he was a little older. 
7. Before he left for Sydney, Banjo used to ride a pony to school!
8. Banjo was a keen tennis player and an accomplished oarsman. He rode to hounds at the Sydney Hunt Club and was a fine polo player. He also rode as an amateur jockey at Rosehill and Randwick racecourses in Sydney.
9. Originally, Banjo's writing nickname was The Banjo, but the article was eventually dropped and he became known as Banjo Paterson. The name Banjo came from one of his family's favourite racehorses.
10. Banjo was not just a poet and author. He was also a journalist, editor, war correspondent, radio announcer, bushman, horseman, jockey, clerk, solicitor, speaker, traveller, vet, farmer and a fine sportsman. A true Renaissance man.

Stay tuned for Day 2, where I'll be revealing some internals from the book! Click importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">here for the full list of launch posts.

---

periscope/nlagovau/" target="_blank">Join Tania on Periscope on Friday 17 February at 1pm AEDST, where 

she will be chatting about the book live from the National Library, 

and showing various priceless Banjo Paterson items, 

along with original artwork by christinabooth/" target="_blank">Christina Booth!

And for those in or near Canberra ...

nla.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">

Book Launch - This is Banjo Paterson

11am

Sunday 12 February 2017

National Library of Australia

Canberra

FREE!

..a.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">more isu and reserve a place...

{ Read More }

This Is Banjo Paterson Day 2 - A Peek At The Pages

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Christina Booth's divine watercolour illustrations so beautifully brought Banjo's story to life, in these backyard play scenes (more about the parallel visual storyline on my blog tomorrow).

With children playing key figures in Banjo's life story (even the hobby horses!), we're taken on a journey through the life of an extraordinary man, who was not only a prolific poet, but so very much more.

The aim of these images was to make Banjo's life accessible to the very young (ages 3 - 8) in a way that's not been done before. Even children in early education need to be exposed to inspiring and life-altering stories of real life people that once so deeply affected--and continue to do so--our lives, our history and where we are going.

Enjoy these page peeks. My favourite page of all is the simpulan scene at the end of Banjo's life--it brings a tear to my eye every time I see it, and of course it includes one of Banjo's most famous poems--The Man from Snowy River. You'll have to grab a copy of the book to see it!

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Following are some of Christina's roughs for This is Banjo Paterson. Roughs help 'visualise' the storyline and where it's going, ensuring the illustrations perfectly carry the text, and also provide pacing and drama. Roughs are always so fascinating to see! I hope you enjoy them. To me, they are just as beautiful as the end result. Note the changes that were made along the way!

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Stay tuned for Day 3, where you'll learn about the inspiration for the book's unusual image storyline. Click importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">here for the full list of launch posts.

---

periscope/nlagovau/" target="_blank">Join Tania on Periscope on Friday 17 February at 1pm AEDST, where 

she will be chatting about the book live from the National Library, 

and showing various priceless Banjo Paterson items, 

along with original artwork by christinabooth/" target="_blank">Christina Booth!

And for those in or near Canberra ...

nla.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">

Book Launch - This is Banjo Paterson

11am

Sunday 12 February 2017

National Library of Australia

Canberra

FREE!

..a.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">more info and reserve a place...

{ Read More }

This Is Banjo Paterson Day 3 - The Unusual Visual Storyline

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Christina Booth rough for This is Banjo Paterson

Welcome to day 3 of our Banjo launch. Today we are talking about This is Banjo Paterson's unusual visual storyline.

Most good picture books have some kind of dual narrative going on--another 'story' that's quite apart from the text. In this way, illustrations should not be simply a direct reflection of the text--they should be much more than that.

The illustrator is (or should be!) equally responsible for carrying the storyline and creating something new and novel from the text. A visual narrative lends depth, scope, emotion, humour, detail and so very much more, but most especially nuance. So much can be gleaned from a picture, and much of it can depend on the viewer and their interpretation.

Illustrator Christina Booth is an expert at this.

When Christina and I created importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">This is Captain Cook, I made mention to Christina that I envisaged the book's characters being played by children. So, basically, kids would take the roles of the real people from Captain Cook's life. She came up with the brilliant idea to set the entire book as a school play, with almost every scene unfurling on a stage.

This worked so very well, not only in terms of allowing lots of extra 'happenings' as the story went along (including a well-meaning rampant chook!) but in terms of allowing modern children to more deeply connect with the story of Cook's life. His world, after all, is achingly removed from how children live today. Children need to relate to the characters in books--it draws them in and keeps them engaged. And the kids playing the roles in a school play certainly did that.

Similarly, Banjo Paterson's life is told in a backyard scene, with kids in full play. Swinging on the washing line, camping outside in a tent, picnicking on a blanket... all things many modern day kids understand and experience at some stage in their lives. These elements allow kids to engage with a storyline that, again, is set back in the age of the dinosaurs (at least, I'm sure that's how they'd see the late 1800s!).

The wonderful thing about working with Christina, is that while (as author) I can suggest or intimate how things might look (this is necessary in terms of accurately conveying the narrative, especially when it comes to historical books like this one), she takes those guidelines and expands on them in ways that surprise and delight me, not to mention our editors and eventual readers!

It's the little things that add visual dimension to a picture book--and help children connect with story. Our optic nerve takes up a whopping 30% of our brain's cortex, meaning 90% of all information we absorb is taken in through the eyes (read my post on visual literacy importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">here).

What children see has an impact on what they enjoy, learn and retain--and picture book images that are clever, entertaining, detailed and beautiful, are the books kids will return to again and again. Kids GET nuance. They really do. Even if they can't outwardly explain what they're getting, and I love that This is Banjo Paterson is resplendent with nuance, thanks to Christina's beautiful illustrations.

I also believe it's important to expose children to the lives of inspiring, uplifting, talented and memorable people. This is Banjo Paterson brings to life the story of a remarkable man in a way that's accessible to even the very young. And a large part of that connection will be found in illustration ... that divine visual narrative picture books rely on.

Stay tuned for Day 4, where illustrator Christina Booth talks about her illustrations. Click importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">here for the full list of launch posts.

---

periscope/nlagovau/" target="_blank">Join Tania on Periscope on Friday 17 February at 1pm AEDST, where 

she will be chatting about the book live from the National Library, 

and showing various priceless Banjo Paterson items, 

along with original artwork by christinabooth/" target="_blank">Christina Booth!

And for those in or near Canberra ...

nla.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">

Book Launch - This is Banjo Paterson

11am

Sunday 12 February 2017

National Library of Australia

Canberra

FREE!

..a.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">more info and reserve a place...

{ Read More }

This Is Banjo Paterson Day 4 - Christina Booth Talks About Her Work

Welcome to Day 4, where illustrator Christina Booth talks about her work in This is Banjo Paterson. 

Take it away, Christina!

I will confess ... the idea of collaborating with another author on a picture book used to send shivers down my spine. Not in a good way, but in one that I wanted to avoid. You see, as creators, most of us are control freaks, we have a vision and we want to hold the reigns tightly as we manoeuvre through the creative process. I had always thought it would stunt the natural evolution of creativity, the spontaneity of having things grow, if someone else was also holding onto the reigns. Which way would that horse go?

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some of Christina's amazing roughs for the book

Then Tania contacted me regarding a book idea she had and that she wanted to work with me on it before presenting it to the publisher. I was just getting to know Tania and I was flattered when she said she had always wanted to work with me (I think she had me on a slightly higher pedestal than I deserved and I am afraid of heights!).

I looked at the story in progress and then, when a story is a good one, images and ideas started to grow. I drew up a sample image and we chatted about the direction we could head in and our horse seemed to be going in the same direction. I was relieved, I was in a collaboration and it seemed to be working. This was the beginning of This is Captain Cook.

You might ask, ΓÇÿisnΓÇÖt any work with an author and an illustrator a collaborative work?ΓÇÖ Well, to a certain extent yes, but the communication once commissioned to illustrate a picture book is usually mediated through the publisher. The story is written, edited and ready to go. This is then offered to an illustrator (or two) to see what they can do with the text and bring to the visual story line.

When two creators collaborate, they work together from an initial concept and tease it out together. It works very well when there is a strong trust and when each creator respects the other creators ideas and direction. They then present together to the publisher, or sometimes, the publisher is a part of the collaboration from the early stages.

This is Banjo Paterson is our second collaborative work for the National Library of Australia. This is Captain Cook did so well, Banjo became the second child, and I suddenly did a little private panic. We had set a precedent with the Captain and now, we had to equal that. There can be no hiding in the shadows of an older sibling.

What were we to do? I knew it couldnΓÇÖt be another play [This is Captain Cook's entire visual narrative is set as a school play]. Though that concept would still work well visually, it would be just a repeat of the last book. I wanted something else to make it shine but remain interactive with the audience. We went back to our childhoods, where playing dress-up and imaginative play happened in the backyard. Where story telling was practiced and role playing was fun. Banjo was an outdoor kind of guy so it seemed to be a natural fit.

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Christina's hobby horse

Tania desired horses, I considered horses in a paddock next door but they would have just been observers. I always dreamed of owning a horse as a child, but alas, it was not to be, so we made our own. Along with cubby houses made of boxes and branches, flying on the clothesline, playing under the hose, chatting with our neighbours. It was so Australian and that was the feel we wanted. And the homemade horses were born. Brooms, hobbyhorses, human horses! TaniaΓÇÖs wish was granted.

Recently I have created a lot of my illustration work digitally. I love it but I do miss the smell of paint and the beautiful mistakes that you must keep and adapt on paper, I try to do that with my digital work but the undo button is very convenient, so it was delightful to pull out the watercolour paper and pencils and swim in erasings all over the carpet once again.

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I chose to work in the same mediums as I did for Captain Cook because in a series we need a certain amount of consistency. It also lends itself to the airy outdoors, the clouds, the grass, the wind in the clothes on the clothesline. I also enjoyed placing backyard icons into the illustrations: a Hills Hoist (made like they used to), a dog, a neighbour over the fence and the kids jumping fences to play with each other. A paddling pool, the hose, and what a delight to discover when doing my research that what we now call Totem Tennis was first invented and was very popular in BanjoΓÇÖs time. Perfect!

So, am I now converted regarding collaborations? Yes. Though IΓÇÖm probably at my happiest steering my own horse, the beautiful thing is, Tania and I can go riding together, side by side as we support and share our careers.

We have just finished working on a third collaboration, this time a stand-alone book (you have to wait and see what it is!) but the best thing that comes out of a successful collaboration is that we are bonded for life as wonderful friends, and journey that creative path knowing we have help and support.

Stay tuned for Day 5, where you'll learn more about Banjo's poetry and his influences. You may be surprised! Click importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">here for the full list of launch posts.

---

periscope/nlagovau/" target="_blank">Join Tania on Periscope on Friday 17 February at 1pm AEDST, where 

she will be chatting about the book live from the National Library, 

and showing various priceless Banjo Paterson items, 

along with original artwork by christinabooth/" target="_blank">Christina Booth!

And for those in or near Canberra ...

nla.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">

Book Launch - This is Banjo Paterson

11am

Sunday 12 February 2017

National Library of Australia

Canberra

FREE!

..a.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">more info and reserve a place...

{ Read More }

This Is Banjo Paterson Day 5 - Banjo's Poetry And Influences

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Welcome to Day 5 where you'll learn more about Banjo's poetry and influences. You may be surprised!

One of Banjo's (or 'Barty' as he was called by his family) earliest poetic influences was a man named Jerry the Rhymer. Christina has depicted him (as the young lad's father) above.

Jerry was a 'shepherd' or bushman who lived near the Paterson property, Buckinbah Station, near Orange, New South Wales. He had a habit of speaking in rhyming slang and young Barty found him fascinating. He loved spending time with him and his son Jim, who was a teenager at the time.

Another major influence was Banjo's maternal grandmother Emily Mary Barton. She lived in Sydney at a house in Gladesville (you can see current images banjopaterson/" target="_blank">here - it is now a restaurant). Barty went to live with her when he turned 10, so he could attend Sydney Grammar School.

As an accomplished poet (she began writing in the 1840s; you can read more about her poetrylibrary.edu.au/poets/barton-emily-mary" target="_blank">here), Emily encouraged her grandson to read and write verse.

Naturally, much of Banjo's work was inspired by the bush, horses and justice; some of Banjo's early poems were influenced by his work as a solicitor. Clancy of the Overflow is said to have been inspired by a lawyer's letter he'd had to write to a man who hadn't paid his debts.

When Banjo first began submitting his work to newspapers and magazines in 1885, he quickly developed a relationship with The Bulletin (this is where he adopted the pseudonym, The Banjo). Here, many of his works were published, and it's also where he and Henry Lawson embarked on their good-natured rhyming 'battle'.

One of his most famous poems was set to music (arranged by Christina Macpherson, who adapted it from an old Scottish song 'Craigeelee'). It was, of course, Waltzing Matilda, another poem inspired by splash.abc.au/home#!/media/151890/the-real-story-ab-paterson-and-waltzing-matilda-" target="_blank">real life events.

3.bpspot/-RIn686jbfFw/WILN5twJudI/AAAAAAABKh0/katrY5N_NMIGrbrxEdcp1xFZxj9xvbHKwCLcB/s1600/the%2Banimals%2Bnoah%2Bforgot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">During his life, Banjo was compared to Rudyard Kipling in terms of his poetic talent, and by the end of his life, he had become one of Australia's most enduring poets--a legacy that remains today.

Many of Banjo's books are still in print, and he even wrote a book for kids--poetrylibrary.edu.au/poems-book/the-animals-noah-forgot-0023000" target="_blank">The Animals Noah Forgot (1933, illustrated by celebrated artist Norman Lindsay)--a copy of which I managed to find online. Alas, it's not a first edition, but a still-perfectly-vintage 1970 edition.

You can view a complete list of Banjo's poems at the poetrylibrary.edu.au/poets/paterson-a-b-banjo/poems" target="_blank">Australian Poetry Library. Do note that some of these poems have altered over time, and there are several versions of the most famous. Indeed, Waltzing Matilda has changed over time, and This is Banjo Paterson features the original text, not that which is sung today.

Stay tuned for Day 6, where we reveal fabulous Banjo resources for teachers and librarians. Click importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">here for the full list of launch posts.

---

periscope/nlagovau/" target="_blank">Join Tania on Periscope on Friday 17 February at 1pm AEDST, where 

she will be chatting about the book live from the National Library, 

and showing various priceless Banjo Paterson items, 

along with original artwork by christinabooth/" target="_blank">Christina Booth!

And for those in or near Canberra ...

nla.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">

Book Launch - This is Banjo Paterson

11am

Sunday 12 February 2017

National Library of Australia

Canberra

FREE!

..a.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">more isu and reserve a place...

{ Read More }

This Is Banjo Paterson Day 6 - Resources For Teachers And Librarians

dropbox/s/mhl1g3j3oqqwdik/This%20Is%20Banjo%20Paterson%20Teachers%27%20Notes.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">

Welcome to Day 6!

As part of the National Library's commitment to educational (and entertaining!) books, dropbox/s/mhl1g3j3oqqwdik/This%20Is%20Banjo%20Paterson%20Teachers%27%20Notes.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">comprehensive teaching notes for This has Banjo Paterson have been provided for curriculum levels kindergarten through to year 3. Notes include discussion and inquiry questions, and ideas can be adapted for older students, too.

At the end of This is Banjo Paterson, a beautiful full-page spread (broadsheet style) is dedicated to further information on Banjo's life. Ideal for adults and older students.

Click the poster above for the teaching notes relating to This is Banjo Paterson. 

All 162 of his poems can be viewed poetrylibrary.edu.au/poets/paterson-a-b-banjo/poems" target="_blank">here at the Australian Poetry Library, and kid-friendly audio on the real story behind Waltzing Matilda, can be found splash.abc.au/home#!/media/151890/the-real-story-ab-paterson-and-waltzing-matilda-" target="_blank">here.

For further resources on Banjo's life, the following websites are recommended:

cataloguea.gov.au/Search/Home?lookfor=banjo+paterson&type=all&limit%5B%5D=&submit=Find" target="_blank">National Library of Australia Digital Collection

poetrylibrary.edu.au/poets/paterson-a-b-banjo" target="_blank">Australian Poetry Library
trovea.gov.au/newspaper/result?l-publictag=Banjo%20Paterson" target="_blank">Trove 

adb.anu.edu.au/biography/paterson-andrew-barton-banjo-7972" target="_blank">Australian Dictionary of Biography

awm.gov.au/exhibitions/fiftyaustralians/38.asp" target="_blank">Australian War Memorial

centralnswmuseums.orangemuseum.au/museums/banjo-paterson-museum/" target="_blank">Banjo Paterson Museum

perthmint.au/catalogue/banjo-paterson-coins.aspx" target="_blank">The Perth Mint

ryde.nsw.gov.au/Recreation/Parks-and-Sportsgrounds/Find-a-Park-or-Sportsground/Banjo-Paterson-Park" target="_blank">Banjo Paterson Park  

poetry4kids/lessons/poetry-writing-lessons/" target="_blank">Poetry Writing Lessons for Kids

bushverse/poetry-writing-tips-from-ellis-campbell" target="_blank">Poetry Writing Tips on Australian Bush Poetry, Verse and Music

brandorange.au/orange-nsw/banjo-paterson-festival/" target="_blank">Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival 2017, Orange

Stay tuned for Day 7, where you'll have a chance to win a copy of the book! Click importantnutrientsspot/search?q=" target="_blank">here for the full list of launch posts.

---

periscope/nlagovau/" target="_blank">Join Tania on Periscope on Friday 17 February at 1pm AEDST, where 

she will be chatting about the book live from the National Library, 

and showing various priceless Banjo Paterson items, 

along with original artwork by christinabooth/" target="_blank">Christina Booth!

And for those in or near Canberra ...

nla.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">

Book Launch - This is Banjo Paterson

11am

Sunday 12 February 2017

National Library of Australia

Canberra

FREE!

..a.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">more gosip and reserve a place...

{ Read More }

This Is Banjo Paterson Day 7 - Win A Copy Of The Book!

3.bpspot/-6V7wZUkz9WE/WHyETVXRcyI/AAAAAAABKeU/Gj8JojRB4Gk-lRS8s7WwGtD-oJZ9QATSACLcB/s1600/This%2Bis%2BBanjo%2BPaterson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">

It's launch day! And to celebrate, here's your chance to win a copy of This is Banjo Paterson! We have two copies to give away.

To win, all you have to do is leave a comment below (or email it to me here if you can't access Blogger), telling me which historical Australian you'd like to see a children's book on.

My two favourite suggestions will win a copy of the book. If you miss out, you can snaffle a copy of the book right bookshopa.gov.au/book/this-is-banjo-paterson.do" target="_blank">here, or come along to my book launch at the National Library on 12 February in Canberra--details below.

COMP DETAILS: The comp runs from today until Tuesday 7 February 2017 at 9pm Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time. The winners will be announced the next day, right here on this blog. The comp is open to anyone, world-wide, so long as the book can be sent to an Australian address. This is a game of skill, not chance. The winning decision is final.

---

periscope/nlagovau/" target="_blank">Join Tania on Periscope on Friday 17 February at 1pm AEDST, where 
she will be chatting about the book live from the National Library, 
and showing various priceless Banjo Paterson items, 
along with original artwork by christinabooth/" target="_blank">Christina Booth!

And for those in or near Canberra ...

nla.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">

Book Launch - This is Banjo Paterson

11am

Sunday 12 February 2017

National Library of Australia

Canberra

FREE!

..a.gov.au/event/this-is-banjo-paterson" target="_blank">more informasi and reserve a place...

{ Read More }