In the limelight: Celebrating Australian Children's Authors

2019 has started auspiciously with Australian authors and illustrators being recognised for their significant contributions to the arts, literacy and literature. Unfortunately not all our wonderful book creators can win an award or be captured on a stamp, but they all contribute to the wonderful world of children's literature. So congratulations to our sung, and unsung, heroes and legends!
         
The Australia Post Legends Award

The Australia Post Australian Legends Award is presented annually by Australia Post to honour a living individual or group of individuals who have excelled in a particular field of endeavour. The award recognises outstanding individuals for their part in shaping the social and cultural life of Australia.
"This year’s recipients are celebrated and award-winning authors – talented creators of narrative books and picture books for young people, from the youngest readers through to adolescents. The Legends of Children’s Literature stamp issue, released on the 17 January honours Mem Fox AM, Morris Gleitzman, Leigh Hobbs, Alison Lester and Shaun Tan." See the Australia Post website for the full article and detailed bibliographic notes on each legend.

Australia Post has also produced a great video compilation of the five 'legends' sharing their thoughts and inspirations for writing and illustrating children's books.

Australia Day Awards

Jennifer Rowe: Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), the highest honour, for her services to children's literature. Most readers will know her best by her pseudonym Emily Rodda and her many works - picture books and novels written under that name. I am sure many of you have grew up on or have shared Rowan of Rin and Deltora Quest books. read a great article from late last year from the ABC: 
Emily Rodda: The Deltora Quest author on her new book and her ongoing fascination with riddles and watch an interview after receiving her award. If you are unfamiliar with the publications of Jennifer Rowe / Emily Rodda Readings provides a great introduction.

Sophie Masson: Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant service to literature as both an author and publisher and her active involvement in industry organisations. Read an interview with Nichols Fuller of the Armidale Express. Sophie has a great website to discover more about her writing for children and young adults.

Alison Lester: Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to literature as a children's author and illustrator, and to Indigenous literacy. Find out more about Alison and her prolific publishing efforts on her website and read an article from the  Pakenham Gazette: Lester on Honours List. 

The Library and Information Association has compiled a list of other award recipients recognised for their work in library related endeavours.

What an exciting start to the year - I am sure it bodes well for children's literature and will kick off 2019 as a year where reading, sharing and supplying books to children and young adults will be paramount.

Go forth and share some of the amazing works from these and other Australian book creators with your children, friends and students.

Jennie Bales

Social Media Coordinator, CBCA Tasmania.

Happy 50th Birthday Hungry Caterpillar

Any excuse for a party! Celebrating the Very Hungry Caterpillar's 50th birthday sounds like an ideal opportunity. Jennie starts the year with some great resources and reminisces on party ideas employed a decade ago for the 40th anniversary that may well provide some inspiration for a new celebration. Cake first! . . .

Then let's start with some recollections by the man himself - Eric Carle - in this heartwarming account of the history of his classic picture book that has stolen the hearts of generations of readers.

On the off chance that you need a memory refresh, this is a delightful digitised version of the story.

Visit The Official Eric Carle Website for some great ideas, in Resources - especially on the Caterpillar Exchange where teachers, parents, librarians - anyone! - share ideas on enjoying his many books'

The Carle Museum offers virtual aspects to explore. Mind you, if you happen to be in Massachusetts before March 24 you can visit the special exhibition celebrating the development and publishing history of the book.


Let's have a party! A decade ago, for a 40th birthday celebration, the very hungry caterpillar, adorned a wall in the Lilydale District School's library. Young students created images of the many food items in the book for him to devour and these were strung together to create a border around the display board. The caterpillar's body was made from throwing bean bags (borrowed from PE storeroom), tinsel formed the spine, with coloured felts for his head.

Fun for all with tissue paper to add texture to art work. Guidance provided for the following layered effect in a slide show on the Carle website which includes resources for Creative Projects.

There are so many craft ideas online to inspire and engage children it will be hard for them to choose.

The 50th edition is gold! Wow!

Of course we can't forget the many versions of the Very Hungry Caterpillar and associated products that have been published over the years. From tiny board books to big books for class sharing there have been many variations. These two come from my personal collection.
A popup 40th Anniversary edition.

A Spanish board book, with flaps.

And all birthday parties conclude with . . . cake!!!

This wonderful caterpillar cake was created by the Year 7 Home Economics students - an adaption of lamingtons - mini sponge cake discs, dipped in green and orange jelly and then coated with green and orange coloured coconut and jelly beans for legs. 

A hit success with the Kindergarten kids and their families who came to the party.

Make sure that sometime in 2019 you celebrate the 50th birthday of the Very Hungry Caterpillar.
He deserves your attention!
And an invitation - if you do spend some time sharing the birthday hype with children please consider sending to tas@cbca.org.au a photo and brief explanation - before July - for a feature of birthday moments.


Jennie Bales

Dabbles in books, blogs and book depositories (AKA libraries)