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Literary editors of both The Australian and Sydney Morning Herald newspapers commented about words and grammar in their columns this weekend. The Greatest Gatsby: A Visual Book of Grammar (Viking, Penguin) is a very clever way to help everyone understand words and grammar. Tobhy Riddle is one of Australia’s notable picture book illustrators, with works […]

The best ever picture book creators retreat was organised by the Australian Society of Authors (ASA).

It was a total immersion in creativity, experience, friendship inspiring new works.

Highlights:-

Sculpture by the Sea walk along the coast of Bondi to Bronte.

Tohby Riddle’s dinner talk about his brilliant new book – Unforgotten.

Award winning illustrator Bruce Whately’s workshop – he  is innovative and inspiring

Brett Whitely Studio on Sydney Harbour – Wendy Whitely welcomed the creators.

Dr Seuss Gallery near The Hughenden, in Paddington

Centennial Parklands’ inspiration.

Award winning illustrator Ann James’ critiques and guidance

Creative and fun dinners – loved the tapas night.

Lisa Stewart illustrator and musician entertained everyone with her violin – loved it.

There was so much talent there from Gabrielle Wang, Donna Gynell, Janeen Brian, Christina Booth …. and talent, talent, talent.

They came from Tasmania, South Australia, Melbourne … Sydney.

Congratulations to Laurine Croasdale who organised this brilliant retreat at The Hughenden.

A contemporary librarian noir starring folks I know?  Don’t mind if I do!  I had no idea that Sarah Murphy was such a fine actress but it surprises me not at all.  Written and co-directed by Joy Tomasko with co-direction, photography and post-production by Jon Dieringer and starring librarians and friends thereof, this film premiered at The Bell House in December 2011 during the Desk Set’s Biblio Noir, a fundraiser for Literacy for Incarcerated Teens (which I missed thanks to my new baby state).   Screened at Spectacle Theater in June 2012 it’s now available online.  Many thanks to Maria Falgoust for the link.

After that, let’s start the day off right with a book that is completely and utterly unavailable to us here in America.  Basically, this all boils down to a children’s graphic novel, blurbed by Shaun Tan himself, that we have not yet seen.  Tan says of it, “Reading this book is like being quietly ushered into another dimension by winged strangers, a place beyond the tread of normal earth-bound language. Ephemeral as a feather, timeless as a rock, and as true as both, Unforgotten is a magical experience.”  That would be Unforgotten by Tohby Riddle.  Here’s the trailer:

Thanks to Andrew Joyner for the link!

So this is fun. The Digital Shift recently came up with the Seven Top Trailers to Hook Kids on Books. Picking and choosing amongst them there’s a lot to enjoy here, but I’m particularly taken with this 60th Anniversary trailer for good old Charlotte’s Web (#1 on my Top 100 Children’s Novels Poll, doncha know). Observe:

Speaking of pigs, in comes the rather timely (how many Olympic-related fictional picture books are there this season?) Olympig via author Victoria Jamieson.  Much with the fun.

Finally, for our off-topicness, I think I’m going to go nerd on you and whip out a bit of Star Wars meets Goyte stuff.  I know you’ve probably already seen it, but it makes me happy.  See if you can hear the hidden Wookie howl.