Books Illustrated E-News

ANZAC Day April 25th
This year is an even more special day in this, the last year,
of the centenary of the end of WW1

The National website states the Anzac Centenary activities are being planned and delivered by state, territory and local governments, and business and community organisations. Find out more about the Anzac Centenary in your state and territory.

This photo was used as reference by picture book creators Mark Greenwood and Frane Lessac when they were bringing to life the story of Midnight, a horse now famous in stories about the First World War.
Some words from Frane ...

Creating Midnight had many highlights, from visiting the Haydon homestead in the Hunter Valley where Midnight was born, to walking on the battlefields in Beersheba, Israel where the light horse last charge took place. My greatest challenge was to capture the devoted bond between Midnight and Guy Haydon. I always wanted a horse when I was growing up and Midnight became that horse.

We spent many hours in their archive room at the Haydon homestead where Guy and Midnights life is well documented. We read all the letters Guy wrote home from Gallipoli and the Middle East. On the same day he would write two separate letters – one to his father and one to his mother. In letters to his mother, he would ask about the running of the farm and gossip, but in the letters to his father, he would reveal the hardships he was enduring and the reality of war. The most heart wrenching of all, was holding the actual bullet in my hand that passed through Midnight lodging next to Guy’s spine.
“A foal is born at Midnight, on the homestead side of the river. Coal black, Star ablaze, moonlight in her eyes. Although there is a moon in the painting, many readers might not know that Moonlight was also the name of Midnight’s mother.

I took some artistic license with the star on my Midnight’s forehead. It wasn’t until after our book was published, that I realized just how much one of my favourite childhood books had influenced the star design. In the Misty of Chincoteague series by Marguerite Henry, Misty went on to have a foal named Sea Star. By chance, I recently found a copy in a second bookstore and to my surprise, Sea Star’s “star” is as bright and bold as mine!

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At the State Library of Victoria
Revisit what’s been described as the most brilliant feat of World War I: the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux. In the face of an overwhelming German force, Australian forces launched a stunning counter-attack to recapture the town. Dr Ross McMullin, a Creative Fellow at the Library and an award-winning biographer and historian, will explore this critical battle on its centenary, Tuesday 24 April. Book now.

Stunningly illustrated in over 70 paintings, The Poppy is the true story of one of Australia`s greatest victories, and of a promise kept for nearly a century. On Anzac Day,1918, a desperate night counter-attack in the French village of Villers-Bretonneux became one of Australia's greatest victories. A bond was forged that night between France and Australia that has never been broken. Villers-Bretonneux is `The town that never forgets`.

Signed copies of The Poppy, witten and illustrated by Andrw Plant, published by Pan Macmillan , $26.95 are availble for sale.

Over the commemorative period many new Australian picture books have been published. Two very recent publications are

Digger written by Mike Dumbleton , illustrated by Robin Cowcher and published by Allem & Unwin. $24.99
When her brother, James, went to war, Annie stitched the name Digger onto her toy kangaroo and gave him to James as a farewell present. Digger is the story of one toy kangaroo, one Australian soldier and two girls, in two countries on opposite sides of a world at war. It`s a quiet reminder of the casualties of war, and a tribute to the French schoolchildren who once tended the graves of Australian soldiers who died on the Western Front in the heroic battle for Villers-Bretonneux in April 1918.

Alfred's War written by Rachel Bin Salleh, illustrated by Samantha Fry and published by Magabala Books. $19.99
.Alfred was just a young man when he was injured and shipped home from France. Neither honoured as a returned soldier or offered government support afforded to non-Indigenous servicemen, Alfred took up a solitary life walking the back roads - billy tied to his swag, finding work where he could. Rachel Bin Salleh`s poignant narrative opens our hearts to the sacrifice and contribution that Indigenous people have made to Australia`s war efforts, the true extent of which is only now being revealed. A powerful story that unmasks the lack of recognition given to Australian Indigenous servicemen who returned from the WWI battlelines.

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Prints & Books on the theme of ANZAC/War/Conflict

Several illustrator's have chosen images from their books to have made as limited edtion prints, such as Tull Suwannakit from The Little Stowaway.
This list gives some examples

Books Illustrated touring exhibitions

Two ANZAC EXHIBITIONS FOR HIRE

In this, the last year of the anniversary of ANZAC celebrations, don’t miss the opportunity to HIRE our two feature exhibitions details on website

• ANZAC ILLUSTRATED - Original illustration exhibition - for galleries
37 illustrations - features work by Mark Wilson and 12 other illustrators.

• ANZAC ILLUSTRATED - Print exhibition - for schools & Libraries
24 mounted limited edition prints from well known Australian picture books on the theme of ANZAC & war.

Author Illustrator Mark Wilson whose work from many of his books on war is the feature in the original illustration exhibition.

ANZAC Illustrated - Original illustration exhibition
is currently showing at Eskbank House Museum in Lithgow in NSW till April 29.

Other April events and awards

REIMAGINE
An Exhibition at Geelong Gallery continuing until May 27

REIMAGINE—the World according to Children’s Books

This exhibition is a selective survey of Australian children’s literature and book illustration of the past twenty years. It includes the works of Indigenous and non-Indigenous authors and artists including Joshua Button, Leigh Hobbs, Robert Ingpen, Ann James, Van T Rudd, Tai Snaith, Anne Spudvilas, Shaun Tan and Anna Walker.

Presenting original artworks and source material for some of Australia’s most acclaimed contemporary children’s books, the exhibition explores the wonderfully inspiring images and texts through which concepts of humanity, nature, caring, cultural difference and belonging, and the challenging realities of loneliness and intolerance, are introduced to children. Further information including exhibition sessions.

Leila St John Award

Congratulations to
Geraldine Woolnough who recently received the 2018 Liela St John Award

This award, named after a founding member of the Children's Book Council of Victoria, is presented to an individual in recognition of their services to children’s literature in Victoria.

REIMAGINE! New Ways With Literature
Bookings are now open for the CBCA Vic State Conference, which will be held on 19th May 2018 at Deakin University - Geelong - Waterfront Campus.

The exciting line up of writers and illustrators is now confirmed. We encourage everyone in the children’s book world to take advantage of the opportunity to engage with creators, publishers and practitioners - to ‘Reimagine'.
With a moderate registration fee, excellent hospitality and take home resources don't miss your place at this conference!
More informaton and bookings on the conference website

An exhibition of Mark Wilson's illustration continues in the main gallery at
Dromkeen Homestead, 1012 Kilmore Rd, Riddells Creek Victoria.

www.dromkeen.com.au for further details.

May Gibbs Creative Time Fellowships - applications Due April 30

If you are a writer or illustrator for under-18s who would like some time devoted to your craft, a Creative Time Fellowship can give you just that.
Our Fellowships provide you with travel to and from one of our host cities (Adelaide, Canberra or Brisbane) and delightful rent-free accommodation for 28 nights, giving you the freedom to research, develop and/or edit new work.
Go to "Creative Time Fellowships" to find out more, or email contact@maygibbs.org.au with any questions.
The deadline for applications is Monday 30th April 2018.

The Australian Children's Laureate Program

ACLF (The Australian Children's Laureate Foundation) is currently recruiting for two part-time positions: Program Manager and Office Administrator.
Both are contract roles and require a minimum 15 hours per week. Applications close Friday 6 April. For position descriptions, please email: office.acla@gmail.com

Every month you can find book lists, activity ideas and educational resources relevant to that month's theme on the Children's Laureate website and sign up to a newsletter to get these resources in your inbox every month.

Books Illustrated is an enthusiastic supporter of the Australian Children's Laureate
and Copyright Agency's Read Australia

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June 2015

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August 2014