As Bookweek Month draws to a close, children’s authors and illustrators across Australia will be slowing down before heading back into their creative caves. I’ve had a wonderful Bookmonth travelling from Albany to Broome, from Perth to Sydney, from Canberra to the NSW Central Coast. Massive thanks to the dedicated teachers, librarians and Children’s Book Council of Australia volunteers who organised my visits. You are legends! I’ve met thousands of young readers and seeing that the joy of reading is alive and well enriches my work and inspires me.

Students from Roebuck Primary

When you live in chilly Albany, being invited to celebrate Bookweek with Broome students, teachers and librarians in July is like winning a children’s author lottery.  During a week of presentations, I spoke with hundreds of students from Years 3 to 10. Broome library staff made a great welcome display and young readers from St Mary’s College, Broome Primary and Roebuck Primary came into the library to ‘Find Story Treasure’ and celebrate the Bookweek theme.

On Tuesday, librarian Alison Morris and I met James the pilot and flew north to meet students at Sacred Heart School Beagle Bay for two sessions and then on to Christ the King School at Djarindjin Lombardina where I was honoured to receive a copy of Djarindjin Gorna Jawal – stories from students. It’s a beautiful production.

My novel The Dog with Seven Names is set in the Pilbara and Kimberley. The story links to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and I loved seeing this beautiful landscape from above in a way that was similar to my own dog character’s experience.

My last Broome event was part of Corrugated Lines Festival of Words. I worked with a fascinating group of writers of different ages and backgrounds. Our session focused on Creating Historical fiction. Some great stories were shared, which I hope will someday be published. As Remote Regions Coordinator for SCBWI West, it was also fun catching up with local author/illustrator Kerry Anne Jordinson. Her Bobby books capture Broome-time and I also loved Kerry’s Back Room Press picture book, Storm Pearl.

After Broome it was home to Albany for a few days before flying to Sydney to speak at the CBCA NSW Kids Bookweek Event. What an honour! The event was streamed to schools across NSW while hundreds of students and their teachers joined me in the auditorium to hear students reviewers speak about books on the shortlist. And then it was time to hear the announcement of the winning titles…  Being surrounded by excited book lovers made this moment very special. Thank you CBCA organisers and Fremantle Press for sponsoring my trip.

Next stop was the Central Coast where Lyndall Coles and a team of CBCA members had arranged visits to Gosford East Public School, The Entrance Public School, Brooke Avenue Public School, Wyong Public School, Tuggerah Public School and an evening event at Erina Library. In two days I met thousands of students and their teachers. This was my first time to the Central Coast and I loved visiting this beautiful part of NSW.

Back to WA for my last Bookmonth sessions … The girls at Santa Maria College made me feel so welcome at their school (and their view across the Swan River must be one of the best in Perth). After my presentations, Tayla Tasovac interviewed me. She did a great job and the clip can be viewed on the Santa Maria Facebook page if you scroll back to August 24th.

Last stop for Bookweek Month was Great Southern Grammar. It was Daffodil Day and Head of Year 7, Karen Bradbury kindly gave me a bunch of flowers after my sessions. What a lovely way to end this busy and exciting month!

Well, that’s a wrap. Thank you to the teachers, librarians and book lovers for hosting me and for working tirelessly to foster a love of books in Australian students. The Bookweek theme was Find your Treasure and you guys are the true unung treasures.