For those of us too far afield to partake of the amazing events offered at the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature Inc. (NCACL) Belle Alderman AM has penned a wonderful post to report on the recent exhibition of the stunning artwork from the Midnight Gang, illustrated by Ann James AM.
Mid-last year, I received an email from the Literature Centre in Fremantle, WA. They would be moving to the WA State Library in December. There wouldn’t be room for their entire collection of artworks based on Australian children’s books. Would we like to have some of these artworks? This came at a time when our Centre was experiencing space constraints. Nevertheless, temptation prevailed. Looking down their list of highly appealing offerings, three creators’ works jumped out: Ann James, Anne Spudvillas, and Peter Gouldthorpe.
The stunning standout for NCACL became Ann James’ preliminary and final artworks for The Midnight Gang (1996). This picture book won a swag of children’s choice awards plus a CBCA Honour Award. Our Centre already holds the papers and manuscripts by Margaret Wild, including her multiple drafts for The Midnight Gang plus correspondence between Margaret and her trio of publisher, editor and book designer. Here was the perfect combination to share the creative process. ‘Yes, please, send these items straight away,’ I replied. When The Midnight Gang artwork arrived, we immediately decided on an exhibition and booked the University of Canberra’s Mura Gadi Gallery for 9 -27 February 2026.
What about inviting Ann James and Margaret Wild to come to Canberra during the exhibition to talk with children and adults? And so it came to pass. Volunteer Ann Martin documented The Midnight Gang artwork now available from the NCACL website.
Our Visitors’ Book for this exhibition heaped high praise from those attending our opening night on the 18th of February. Ann James AM & Margaret Wild, creators of The Midnight Gang, appeared in conversation with Dr Stephanie Owen Reeder, OAM facilitator. Just imagine the insights coming from these three creators talking! Between them they have published over 200 books for children. It was truly a ‘night to remember.’
Young children also visited the exhibition and talked with Margaret and Ann. There were 25 year 2 children from Radford College followed by 20 children aged three to five years from the University of Canberra’s Wiradjuri Childcare Centre. Ann James created an original watercolour background settings for each child at Wiradjuri. With black pastels in hand, each child then drew what might be happening during this midnight scene.
Our NCACL volunteer Rowan Simpkin designed the layout and installed The Midnight Gang artworks. Volunteer Ruth Nitschke created a display of Margaret Wild’s manuscripts and correspondence relating to The Midnight Gang. Volunteer Emma Janssen created giveaway bookmarks featuring The Midnight Gang as giveaways at the exhibition’s Children’s Corner. Various NCACL volunteers collected used copies of books by Ann James and Margaret Wild for our children’s reading corner for shared reading. There were tables with paper and crayons for children to create their own artworks plus cushions to relax and enjoy stories together.
Margret Wild, Belle Alderman AM & Ann James AM - Midnight Madcaps
Another special volunteer was involved. Celeste Alderson-Fletcher, completing 52 hours of volunteer service for her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award at the NCACL, created ‘Midnight Snaps’, a gallery of images for NCACL’s website and wrote a blog, ‘Setting the Scene’ about the creation of the Midnight Gang events and volunteers involved.
Suzanne Lazarro, publicist for the University of Canberra (UC), commented, ‘For everyone from the littlest members of the UC community to more senior book‑lovers, the Midnight Gang exhibition at UC’s Mura Gadi Gallery proves that there’s no age limit on celebrating imagination, adventure and wild whimsy. The concept of a gang of four babies sneaking out at night – one through a cat flap! – is truly inspired!’ On the opening night, Ann and Margaret headlined a conversation for grown-up fans, with fellow author Dr Stephanie Owen Reeder OAM facilitating the chat. The Midnight Gang will be long remembered. That’s the power of stories for young people.
That’s not the end of this story! Below are even more stories about The Midnight Gang.
Kids’ Book Review 21 Feb 2026
Article by Tania McCartney ‘Midnight Madcaps, The National Centre for Australian Children's Literature’ about the opening event on 18 Feb
NCACL Social Post on Facebook announcing exhibition and events 1 Feb 2026
NCACL Social Post on X platform 1 Feb 2026
Wiradjuri Preschool and Childcare Centre Social Post on Facebook
Radford College Social Post on Facebook Year 2 students visit The Midnight Gang exhibition and post about their visit on 26 Feb
LinkedIn University of Canberra’s Post promoting the exhibition
SCBWI ACT 7 Feb 2026
Instagram post by Stephanie Owen Reeder 16 Feb 2026
Living Arts Canberra newsletter 19 Feb 2026
University of Canberra Social Post on Facebook 23 Feb 2026
Sandy Bigna children’s author comments 1 Mar 2026
Dr Belle Alderman AM
Director, National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature Inc
W: National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature
FB: https://www.facebook.com/NCACLAustralia
X: https://x.com/NatCentAusChLit
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