New YA fiction for Hazel Edwards

Congrats - yet again - to the amazing Hazel Edwards on the publication of

Fake ID
(in Tamil: Poli Adaiyalam)

Translated by Dr Meenakshi Haniharan

Published by Cre-A, in paperback

For ages 12+.

On the day of her Gran’s funeral, 14 year old Zoe discovers that her grandmother had for years had a fake ID. Zoe finds out about her relative’s political past. Fake ID is a family history mystery.

This is the first Tamil translation of an Australian YA novel. Launched by the Consul General in Chennai. Considerable support given by the universities of Madras, Deakin and Wollongong.

Sounds so different and intriguing - congrats again Hazel!

Annie White's new picture book

Congrats to the talented Annie White on the publication of

What Should a Horse Say?

Written by Fleur McDonald

Published by New Frontier Publishing, in hardback

For ages 3 - 6.

Farmer Rochelle owns a funny horse who doesn’t know what to say.
A playful farmyard story full of animal friends and the noises they make.

If the cover is anything to go by, it’s bound to be a winner - congrats again Annie!

Meet the Roving Reporters: Sarah Wallace & Maria Parenti-Baldey

Days lengthen and colours intensify. Not long till summer now… And not long until you get to meet the fantastic SCBWI 2019 Sydney Conference team. But why wait? Today, meet two more of our colourful Roving Reporter team. Wave your blossom pom poms about for:

Sarah Wallace

Sarah Wallace is a writer and reviewer with a passion for education and children’s literature. She is a children’s book reviewer for Kids’ Book Review and has been regularly publishing reviews for the last couple of years on everything from picture books to middle grade novels to non-fiction reference books. Sarah loves writing in all its forms and has been busy penning her own stories in recent times, some of which she hopes to eventually publish.

Sarah is actively involved in the children’s literature community, regularly attending and volunteering her time at SCBWI, CBCA and ACT Writers Centre events. In 2017, she was a judge in the Children’s Book Council of Australia ACT Branch Make Your Own Story Book Competition. She had the pleasure of reading some of the picture books created by talented primary school students and seeing their delight at accepting their prizes at the awards ceremony.

Sarah has spent most of her career in government education policy and advocates for the role of literature in education. She was worked for the Australian Government Department of Education and Training for 18 years and for the last 10 years has specialised in early childhood education policy. She holds a BA (English) and Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

Is this your first SCBWI Conference? If not how many have you attended, where?

Yes this is my first SCWBI conference, although I have attended numerous smaller local SCBWI events around the ACT region.

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

I’m looking forward to sharing my passion with like minded people, discovering new and exciting talents in children’s literature and hearing and learning from a range of experienced speakers.

What endears you most about the Kids’ Literary Industry and your role in it?

The Kids’ Literary Industry is filled with the most supportive and genuine people, who all have a passion for what they do. I love being a part of it as I truly believe in the power of children’s books to shape futures and change lives.

Name one thing you cannot live without.

Books, of course. Silly question really.

You can join Sarah’s journey at: www.sarahjwallace.com

It’s time to star-jump for:

Maria Parenti-Baldey

Maria is a primary teacher, public speaker and journalist. She has worked in public relations (PR) and communications. She is passionate about connecting children to authors and illustrator through books – particularly in rural areas. Her blog includes authors, illustrators and storytellers workshop tips.

Her recent achievements include:

• 2018 BookLinks News – monthly newsletter

• Australian Children’s Poetry – ‘The Anzac Many’

• Poets Up Late, performed ‘One Way on the Bus’, ‘The Airport’ and a children’s poem ‘Christmas Bellyaches’ being published in Share Your Story, ‘It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas’ 2018 anthology.

• StoryLinks reviewer – part of Brisbane BookLinks Qld & WriteLinks

• Making authors and illustrators ‘real’ for children through performance and rich book experiences of picture books.

• Longlisted Greenleaf Press 2017 Picture Book competition with Cecilia Cicada

• Published ekphrastic poem, ‘We Are Travellers’ — Dr June Perkins' Ripple Poetry.

• Published over 100 stories in Townsville Bulletin and The Sun Newspaper during Journalism degree.

• Writerly Wisdom blog posts about book creators.

• Reviews Children’s Books on blog.

Is this your first SCWBI Conference?

Yes! It will be my first SCBWI conference.

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

My most memorable experience was when I encountered my first author, Libby Gleeson at the Narelle Oliver lecture, June 2017.

What endears you most about the Kids’ Literary Industry and your role in it?

After attending several conferences and workshops, I’ve come to believe children will strengthen their connection to books when they realise the names on book covers are real people. This is what I’d like to perpetuate.

Name one thing you cannot live without.

One thing I can’t live without is having a quiet space curled up with a cuppa and a book. (No argument there!)

For more images and ideas from Maria, pop by: www.mariaparentibaldey.com

Bring your sunhat and visit our garden again next week to meet more of our team. Till then,

Rove ya’ later!

Dimity (Head Gardener)

www.dimitypowell.com

#SCBWISyd

Images courtesy Tania McCartney

v