Hidden Gems

Do you like digging for treasure? Start a journey of discovery with Belle Alderman as she provides a window into the vibrant collection held by The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature. In this fascinating post Belle presents the ‘research files’ held in the collection as hidden gems. 

 

Shhhh! Here is revealed one of Australia’s best kept secrets. The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature holds 650+ ‘research files’ containing information about Australian children’s authors and illustrators. This collection began in the 1970s and continues to grow. There are literally thousands of reviews, interviews, articles, creators’ profiles and so much more. 

We have three types of research files:

·  Collection 1: contains material about authors and illustrators currently publishing Australian children’s books. These live in hanging files spanning 40 metres in a compactus. 

· Collection 2: contains material about authors and illustrators who are no longer publishing. This collection lives in two four-drawer filing cabinets.  

·  Collection 3: contains material about authors and illustrators just beginning their careers. Once they have published around 10 books or their work has generated commentary we undertake extensive research about their work and create a research file. This collection lives in three x four-drawer filing cabinets.

 

How these research files began

Back in 1974 Lu Rees, whom we claim as the NCACL’S founder, was involved with the CBCA ACT Branch. She thought it would be a good idea to collect such items for anyone interested. When this collection moved from her home to the Canberra College of Advanced Education (now the University of Canberra) in 1980, the collection held just over 1,000 Australian children’s books and 60 research files on authors and illustrators. Now in 2026, there are 650+ research files. 

 

Finding gems

We all have our favourite writers and illustrators but at NCACL we are always on the hunt for new creators. Support for budding creators includes Writers Centres throughout Australia, self-formed writers groups that encourage each other, experienced writers who offer courses, organisations like the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and centres like Book Links QLD in Queensland and Westwords in New South Wales. There are more.

 

We source many websites and databases, such as the excellent AustLit database to find material about creators’ work. Once sourced, we create one copy for research purposes, so avoid infringing copyright. Each item is labelled with one of our 30 categories of material. Voila! A new research file exists. 

 

From the collection on Narelle Oliver 

Part of the Leonie Norrington research file. Supported Dee Huxley
illustrations for two of Leonie's books

While we are doing this work we have discovered others very interested in Australian children’s literature. Many offer to help the NCACL collect material on authors and illustrators and send this material to us for our Research Files. We fondly call them our ‘Clippers’. They live all around Australia. Each Clipper for us sources material in different ways. The Book Muse has a very active reviewing blog. She collects material for her blog and then sends her paper copies of articles to us. Another clipper for us finds treasures at op shops about Australian children’s literature.

 

Interior view of Biccy's Op Shop, Brighton, Victoria

We invariably gather around as these padded paper bags and the occasional box arrives from one of our Clippers. A volunteer at our Centre goes through this material and assigns one of our 30 categories to each item. For example is the item an article by author/illustrator— label it A. Is it a Review—Label it H. Is the item a teaching guide— Label it AF and so on for each item.

 

These days we find authors and illustrators have their own websites which promote their work. We know that publishers strongly recommend their creators do just that. Here creators use a multitude of ways to promote their work. Many creators also use social media to promote their work. These too are good sources of material for NCACL’s research files.

 

The never-ending story

Recently we heard from Annette Macarthur-Onslow’s niece. She reported that Annette Macarthur-Onslow died on April 25 this year, aged 93. The niece holds all of Annette Macarthur-Onslow’s artworks for her picture books including drawings and edited drafts of her stories, correspondence with publishers – the story of the book. Would NCACL be interested in such a collection? Yes! We hold the complete works of Annette Macarthur-Onslow for young people including several in translation. Upon checking our Annette Macarthur-Onslow elderly research file, there for anyone interested is a rich, deep and fascinating collection. There are copious letters written by Annette Macarthur-Onslow, exchanges between the author and those managing our collection. There are copies of articles she wrote for journals and talks she gave around Australia. There are many reviews of her books. This research file provides rich insights into Annette Macarthur-Onslow and her work. 

 

The NCACL research files are an invaluable source of information about Australian children’s authors and illustrators. They provide insights into these creators’ works over time, the reception of these by the public and a deep insight into the creators themselves. Visitors from around Australia and the world visit the NCACL. Here they dive deep into the creator’s books. Those who want more pour over their research file. 

 

1st year Education students at the University of Canberra explore Freya Blackwood's
artwork files for illustrating My Two Blankest by Irena Kobold.  

The NCACL’s research files on Australian authors and illustrators began over 50 years. There are gems galore waiting for anyone interested. Perhaps one day a philanthropist will fund the digitisation of all these research files.

 

By Dr Belle Alderman AM

Director, National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature 

 

Editor’s note: I was astounded and amazed when privileged to see parts of this collection on A Magical Visit three years ago. It is meticulously documented to assist researchers and interested parties to delve into this treasure trove. 

Readers can help support this important work by  NCACL through membership and donations.

Adventures of The Midnight Gang

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 18^th 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 

Celebrating 50 years

The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature revelled in a week of celebrations in March to mark a significant milestone in its history. This week, Dr Belle Alderman AM, Director of the Centre, provides a wonderful first-hand account that captures this unique and special occasion.

Dr Belle Alderman AM (Director)
Lucy Johnston (Acting Vice-Chancellor)
John Faulks (Acting Chair NCACL)
Bob Graham (Author/ Illustrator)

Christopher Cheng launches Emma Janssen's
Behind Secret, Sealed Doors with her daughters
who feature in the book

On the eve of our Centre’s celebration of 50 years’ existence, it was a steamy 32 degrees at 5pm. People approached the registration desk, received their name tag and a free book starring her two girls investigating Behind Secret, Sealed Doors. Around 100 people gathered in the leafy garden just outside our Centre’s open door. Across the garden Mizzuna Café’s open doors beckoned with sparkling wine, cold juices and delectable food. There was an air of anticipation as a collective of SCBWI creators gathered and penned their signature on their books created for young and old alike. Guests circled around these local creators and hunted down the authors and illustrators who travelled from interstate to our event—Bob Graham, Ann James AM, Leigh Hobbs, Elizabeth Honey, Christopher Cheng, and others. Everyone nestled among the trees, sat on benches and chatted at tables under umbrellas.

They wandered into the Centre, lounged on the sofa and chairs, marvelled over Bob Graham’s artwork for Jigsaw: A Puzzle in the Post. Hanging artworks adorning the walls reminded everyone of our favourite picture books. Some chatted away, some sat silently mesmerised by the 50 slides showcasing the Centre’s people and activities that scrolled by at five second intervals.

Suzanne Lazaroo, part of University of Canberra’s Media and Communications Team, wrote about the opening event, commenting that the Centre’s Acting Chair, Mr John Faulks, captured the spirit of the occasion – and NCACL –  in his address: “The thing that most distinguishes humans from machines is the imagination, and we are the tellers of things we imagine and things we observe … knowledge locked away is knowledge lost. NCACL works to make it accessible to all.”

While the opening event gave many people an opportunity to celebrate together, inspiring moments featured all week. On Monday, Bob Graham talked about his inspiration and story gestation for Jigsaw: A Puzzle in the Post. Listening intently, we heard about a moment in Bob’s family history. Then transfixed, we watched in wonder as Bob and his pastels brought to life a singular moment from this book. 

We listened intently to the exchange between passionate and knowledgeable panel members who shared their thoughts on Telling Tales: Inside Australian Children’s Literature. We heard years of collective knowledge and experience from author Christopher Cheng, author-illustrator Ann James, publishing director of Books for Children and Young Adults at Allen & Unwin, Eva Mills, and Sally Allen, teacher librarian at the Narrabundah and Lyons Early Childhood Schools in Canberra. They agreed and disagreed in a lively exchange based on years inside the Australian children’s book scene.

Many of us have an indelible, unforgettable childhood memory that includes a favourite book from our childhood. Three boys, all of whom loved Bob Graham’s Vanilla Ice Cream and two girls who adored Jigsaw: A Puzzle in the Post had their very own chat with Bob who signed their books and drew them a picture. 

The Centre was open all week giving all interested an opportunity to talk with volunteers in the Centre and to visit the Centre’s 58,000 Australian children’s books, its artworks and authors’ papers and manuscripts. View some of these highlights in previous blog post A Magical Visit to the NCACL.

Upstairs in the Mura Gadi Gallery from 19 February to 14 March, the Centre had an exhibit 22 framed digital artworks from Shaun Tan’s body of work.  This was an experience like none other. In addition to the artworks displayed around the room, there were three glass cabinets full of ephemera and preliminary artwork by Shaun Tan. A group of teachers from a Canberra school P-year 10 listened avidly as two Centre volunteer educators spoke about Shaun Tan’s work. During the days I wandered into the exhibit, I noticed silent and transfixed onlookers scrutinising each artwork. Many wrote comments in our exhibition Visitors’ Book that demonstrated the depth of emotion that Shaun Tan’s work invariably invokes. We have kept a record of these comments to remind us all just how important art is in our lives.

The week was full of intense and enthusiastic admiration for all aspects of Australian children’s literature. How fortunate we are to have an amazing Australian community of creators, publishers and a creative industry. People asked, ‘What about the Centre’s next 50 years?’ We have a dream to be a place like the Eric Carle Museum in Massachusetts, Seven Stories in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany. Such a place ensures Australian stories for young people will not just capture the creative efforts but also inspire budding creators and support generations of creatives—these to be shared with people of all ages. The Centre, now valued at over $12.8 million, needs everyone’s support as we move into the future— emboldened and strengthened. We need to be financially supported and located where we can be available to one and all. Other countries around the world have such a place. Why not Australia?

Dr Belle Alderman AM

Emeritus Professor of Children’s Literature

Director, National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature Inc