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 

An anthem for all

Watch out for this forthcoming publication that celebrates our national anthem and is due for release at the start of the New Year. Tony Flowers shares the research and investigations undertaken to craft a broad and encompassing portrayal of Australia.

Two years ago, I was relaxing after a day of presenting to school groups at the Byron Bay Writers Festival when I received a call from my publisher with a new opportunity for me to consider.

Book cover [insert] - the Nomad on safari. Image © Tony Flowers

I was asked, 'How would you feel about illustrating the national anthem?'. After my initial hesitation, I thought it would be an interesting challenge to see if it was even possible to make the anthem into an engaging narrative. After all, this is a song that is girt by controversy.

After a few hours of scribbling away at my sketch pad, I became quite excited by the idea. One of the challenges was that the Australian Government holds the copyright for the anthem. I created a rough layout and submitted it to the prime minister and Cabinet to get approval to use the text. The biggest challenge lay ahead once this hurdle was passed: illustrating the national anthem without making it look like a cliché, a travel pamphlet or flag-waving festival to everything Aussie - green and gold.

Arctic sketch [insert] and finished version. Image @ Tony Flowers

My approach was simple; the book would celebrate the diversity of the Australian landscape and the diversity of people and lifestyles that make up our country. I would also have to include locations from each state. I wanted the images to feel more like a scrapbook of memories rather than a collection of picture-perfect iconic scenes. As a result, the finished book includes:
Images of the red centre.
The frozen ice of Antarctica.
Urban cityscapes.
Rural landscapes
Boats on the high seas.
And much more.

As I set about drawing up the illustrations for the National Anthem, I found myself weaving in friends, family, my motorcycle and my dogs into quite a few pages. There are so many dogs in this book; I jokingly think of it as having the alternative title of 'Advance Australia dogs' as there is a dog (at least one) on every page.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Permit 554. Image © Tony Flowers

The one image that I desperately wanted to do a site visit on was for the Uluru page. I had never been there, and I knew if I didn't go, my illustration would have been based on a bunch of cliché giant red rock style images. A window of opportunity opened up between rolling Covid lockdowns, and my wife and I flew off to Uluru.

Uluru trip Ceri and Tony. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Permit 554.
Image © Tony Flowers

Many of the wildflowers and reptiles that we encountered on this trip made their way into the illustrations, as did the purple colour tones of Uluru is itself. This was certainly a colour pallet that I wouldn't have used with having been there. On this trip, I also discovered that Uluru is the only place I have ever been so hot and dry that the flies drink the water from your drying watercolour painting!

Uluru trip drawing. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Permit 554.
Image © Tony Flowers

My hope for my version of Advance Australia Fair is that people are surprised by the fantastic and diverse landscape. We are more than a country of harbour bridges and red sand. Hopefully, younger readers will gain a clearer understanding of what the words of the anthem are about. I also hope people feel inspired to get out and see more of our country and its people.

Tony Flowers – Illustrator
Instagram: tony_flowers99

Editor’s note: Read a summary of the book and some historical background on the choosing of Advance Australia Fair as our national anthem. The book will be released on the 1st of January.

New release: Tiny Possum and the Migrating Moths

Tiny Possum and the Migrating Moths
Julie Murphy & Ben Clifford
CSIRO

Ben Clifford, Tasmanian illustrator, provides insights into his investigations of this tiny marsupial and the research undertaken to capture and enthral young readers through rich and detailed art work to illustrate Tiny Possum and the Migrating Moths.

Published by CSIRO Publishing, Julie Murphy's story of the life cycle of the Mountain Pygmy Possum depicts a non-fiction tale of the good and troubled life this tiny creature deals with.

 

Until 1966 The Mountain Pygmy Possum was thought to be extinct. This tiny survivor lives high up in the harsh cold Australian alps building its nest, raising its young, feeding on seeds, bugs and berries. But most importantly its diet requires the scrumptiously crunchy and fattening Bogong Moth.

© Ben Clifford & CSIRO. Internal pages from Tiny Possum and the Migrating Moth 

As well as hunted by foxes, feral cats and predators in the air, it also has another killer to contend with. Perhaps the most dangerous of all. Humans. For the Mountain Pygmy Possum to survive hibernation the Bogong moth is a major food source that humans are removing. However, probably like you, I do not delight in feeding on the moth at my local restaurant with chips and salad or sprinkling them on my oats. But I do like being able to see at night. Whether it's on the porch, working outside or leaving the light on for a visitor to arrive. Unfortunately these moths prefer those lights instead of their regular homes in the mountains where the Pygmy Possum is waiting to have a moth (or two) for dinner. But without this Bogong Moth, surviving the winter for the Pygmy is highly unlikely.

© Ben Clifford & CSIRO. Internal pages from Tiny Possum and the Migrating Moth

The plants, fauna, landscapes and rock texture were a great match for me to illustrate. Billy buttons, alpine mint bush, yellow anemones and the twisted snow gums all have their place among the boulder fields. As we follow the Pygmy's cycle, the flowers and fauna are on display for the relevant time of year. I've researched for other titles I've illustrated so this was another learning experience. It adds to the fun of putting a book together.

© Ben Clifford& CSIRO. Internal pages from Tiny Possum and the Migrating Moth

The 32 pages finish with an overview about the Pygmy Possum with diagrams and further information on how to contribute to keeping this little creature from extinction.

Many thanks to Julie Murphy and all those at the CSIRO.  

Ben Clifford

Illustrator

W: Ben Clifford Art http://www.benclifford.com.au/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ben.clifford.art/ 

CSIRO: Teacher Notes available

River Business

Tasmanian author, Sarah Jane Moore, provides insights into her recent publication River Business created with the support of local illustrator Errin Polegaj. Explore the unlikely friendship between a Tasmanian native bettong and a rabbit as they explore their local river.

River Business: © Sarah Jane Moore & Errin Polegaj

River Business Children’s Book

The River Business children’s book shows the power of kindness and friendship. Tasmanian wildlife, landscapes and connections have inspired all elements of the book, from character development through to printing. Tasmania is known as a place of great natural beauty and telling Tasmanian stories like this one will help build a shared understanding of place, for locals and visitors. E

The Bettong

The book shines a light on the Tasmanian Bettong (Bettongia gaimardi). The Tasmanian Bettong is a small, kangaroo-like marsupial, with small paws, large feet and a very long tail. You’ll find the Bettong in Eastern Tasmania, where they enjoy eucalypt forests and grassy woodlands. They are nocturnal animals, spending daylight hours in camouflaged grassy nests. Once common throughout Australia, this species is now extinct in mainland Australia and is wholly protected with a near threatened status. The introduction of the European rabbit, land clearing and excessive grazing of stock are the main factors that have led to the decline in the population. 

Internal page from River Business. © Sarah Jane Moore & Errin Polegaj

The Creative Story behind River Business

The author Sarah Jane Moore and the illustrator Errin Polegaj met during the coronavirus lockdown in 2020. As neighbours they became friends. By the river, their children played, and River Business was conceptualised. Through their collaboration, Sarah Jane and Errin developed a climate friendly children’s book that valued each other’s perspectives, creativities and learnings. The book honours the river and emphasises the importance of listening, caring and connecting to our natural water ways and engaging in nature-based play.

Kind to the planet

Sustainable practices are important to Sarah Jane and Errin and the book is printed on 100% recycled paper using vegetable / soy-based inks. To avoid plastic, the paper is uncoated. It has a stapled spine instead of harmful glues. At the end of its life, after being read by many children and adults, River Business can make its way back to the earth as compost. 

extraordinary 

About the author 

Sarah Jane Moore is an independent creative artist with a background in early learning, Reconciliation and creative projects.  She lives in Tasmania and can be contacted at sarahjane.moore@unsw.edu.au. Buy the book at Fullers Book Shop, The Hobart Book Store, The State Bookstore, Hobart Dymocks, Lily & Dot or direct through the web site https://www.riverbusiness.com.au/.

FB: @riverbusinessbook

Editor's note: This beautifully and thoughtfully crafted book is ideal to support studies on the Tasmanian environment and wildlife and for sustainability discussions. Visit the website to source some useful teaching ideas.

Accidental Author

It was a treat to meet Sharon Booth at a recent local school library meeting and to listen to her speak about her work as an author and illustrator publishing under her pen name, Sharon J Yaxley. The Tasmanian settings for her stories provide a strong sense of place and her love of the Tasmanian landscape shines through her work.

People dream about writing a book, some start, some procrastinate, some finish.

I procrastinated for years not knowing where to start or what to write.

On the death of a dear friend, I thought I would write a little story for her great grandchildren to remember her by.  Among many talents, she was a pilot, a maker of bears, a traveller and storyteller. Dunstan is the bear she made for me and Theodore the stuffed dog who viewed the world from the rear console of the car and then the loungeroom floor. He ended up on the conveyor belt at the tip.

My characters were born. The rhyming verse woke up with me one morning and I captured it on a piece of paper on the bedside table. It was edited and beats counted on fingers and drummed on the desk numerous times. Written from the heart. That was easy… the illustrations took another 6 months. I procrastinated. Where to start?

It was my brother that said, “Just start. Draw a line on the page, draw what you don’t want the characters to look like. Just draw.”

I found the perfect Theodore character in a soft toy and with the purchase of chalk pastels, I started drawing. Having never used chalk pastels before it was trial and error and loads of fun layering colour and texture onto the page. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. Long into the night, chalk dusted fingers and table and clothes and cat’s paws. 

I intended on making a few photocopies when I had finished and binding them. By the time I had inundated my work colleagues at school with drawings and drafts the book had become popular and there was a demand for copies.

Through a family friend I was introduced to Warren Boyles who was the past owner of Forty South Publishing. He kindly offered to publish the book and introduced me to Cate Lowry to do the design work. I did a small print run of 200, sold out reprinted another 200, sold out and decided to do a big print run. By the time the reprint of Dunstan and Theodore was ready, I had written and illustrated Theodore Swims in the Sea. I wrote Hide and Seek next but had no confidence to illustrate it, so I put it aside. By the time Theodore Swims in the Sea was ready, I had finished Set Sail, an adventure with all the yachts I had sailed on from my childhood and recent past. It had been suggested that Forty South Publishing should take over the role of publishing as my enthusiasm for creating stories escalated. Lucinda Sharp and the team have also been wonderful.

Shelley Point, Scamander

There was no intention of another book but my love of photography and a surfing trip to Scamander one September found my imagination running wild with sea monsters and possibilities as I walked the windy, storm ravaged shore at Shelley Point. I loved the photos and put them aside. My subconscious must have been ticking away as I woke one morning in March with a verse in my head and when it was written down I saw the possibility of a book to inspire people to view the world differently, through shadows and shapes, turning the images upside down and around. Creating stories, drawing, using natural objects to create images…imagination and monsters. To look at the environment, explore and care for what is there. 

Hide and Seek in Launceston's City Park

I convinced myself to start the illustrations for Hide and Seek when I looked at all my past artwork which was architectural mixed media. Of course, I could draw the City Park gates and the conservatory and the rotunda, so I started, and I did. After a break from drawing the characters, maintaining the consistency was a priority, and my drawing hand kept going where it left off.

The literary journey is not for the faint hearted. It is costly, as a self-published author, but rewarding. After 3 years I have published 5 books!  Marketing the books and navigating through social media and retail outlets is time consuming, but there are many wonderful operators willing to take a chance on a local author with boundless enthusiasm and a product that has captured the hearts of many children’s bedtimes. My retail background in window dressing and visual merchandising management is helpful.

There is joy in hearing feedback from customers about how much the stories and illustrations are loved. Read and reread.

 I have discovered a new world of local talent and formed new friendships. Some are writing, some are procrastinating, some are published. All of them successful in having started.

The stack of cardboard boxes branded with book titles is slowly diminishing from my family room as my art desk, camera and imagination ponder the next literary adventure.

Sharon Booth
Tasmanian children’s book creator.
Discover Sharon’s books (published under Sharon J Yaxley) at https://www.sharonjyaxley.com/ where you will find teacher’s notes and activities for Sea Monsters and Dunstan and Theodore’s own website.