Book Week and All the Wild Wonders
The Children’s Book Council of Australia this week announced their Book of the Year Awards shortlist. The entire shortlist can be seen on the CBCA website. Each year the awards are announced at the beginning of Book Week (Saturday 16 – Friday 22 August 2008), which in it’s 63rd year this year is the longest running children’s festival in Australia. It is a week intended for schools and libraries to celebrate books and reading. I certainly remember having dress up days at primary school during Book Week, the picture below is of me (on the right in the big hat) dressed up as my favorite nursery rhyme, Ride a Cock Horse to Banbury Cross. I have rings on my fingers and bells on my toes - I’m not sure how mum managed the bells!
For 2008 the theme of Book Week is ‘Fuel Your Mind’ and there is some beautiful merchandise available illustrated by the incredibly talented Shaun Tan. There are posters and banners that are available for libraries but there is also a very lovely Library/Shopping Bag that has Shaun’s art on it.
In May the Children’s Book Council will be holding their 9th Biennial conference in Melbourne. This is a huge event in the world of children’s literature and always has some wonderful public sessions, the theme this year is ‘All the Wild Wonders’. Have a look at the website for details of the official program and also about the satellite events. One of these events is an exhibition of illustrations from the extensive private collection of Albert Ullin the founding owner of the beautiful book shop The Little Bookroom and once my boss! Albert’s love for children’s literature is evident in his collection of illustrations that span 30 years and are by some of the most talented illustrators in Australia and the world. The exhibition called ‘Hooked on Books’ is on at ArtPlay at Birrarung Marr and begins on the 9th of April. ArtPlay in partnership with Allen and Unwin are also running sessions with illustrators on weekends throughout the year, it is worth keeping an eye on their programs for details.
Child Reading with Dog and Teddy by Jane Tanner 1992, from Hooked on Books.
Love this photo, Lou. You look so gorgeous! Inspires me to dig out a Book Week photo from my childhood - I hope there is one!
04 Apr 2008 at 7.52 am
I am familiar with the collections of the work of children’s book illustrators held at Dromkeen and Books Illustrated, but didn’t know about Albert Ullin’s collection. A friend told me not to miss the Hooked on Books exhibition you mention - luckily on for quite a while (closes Friday 13 June, 2008). We are so lucky to have these collections in Melbourne. Make sure you take your children to see them at some stage.
08 Apr 2008 at 11.28 pm