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Grab a cuppa, have a read
I share tips and thoughts on writing books, and readings good ones too. You’ll find author updates and trumpet tooting stuff here too. Past news and blogs share copywriting, communications and campaigns worth learning from, community and how we connect, my travel love and random life reflections. It’s kind of like my soap box speeches and journal scribbles are catching up for a cuppa too!
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Send your kids packing (to writers camp with me!)
If you've got children in your life who love to create stories, and are keen to explore creative processes, then I'd love to help them. Send them packing to Portsea Children's Camp in the September school holidays for two fun-filled days with like-minded new...
In the Rockpool swims into Bologna Children’s Book Fair
I'm never going to get to represent Australia in the Olympics, but this feels pretty close to it for me (minus the tracksuits and excessive sweating!) Hannah Sommerville and I are thrilled to share that In the Rockpool has been selected as the hero book for the...
Little Hare Prize winner announced for a new picture book
I'm all kinds of swirling-twirling thrilled to share this news. Beyond excited for this joyful news. Tess Moh has been announced as the winning illustrator for the Little Hare Prize, and together we’re making The Everyday Tutu a truly gorgeous book with Hardie...
Hitch your reading wagon onto the Clunes Booktown Festival
There's a certain scent in the air when you approach Clunes each March ... it's the smell of books, beautiful books. And the sound? The air is filled with the soft riffle of pages, the gasps, laughs, and tissue sniffling as storytellers share, and the exclamation...
In the Rockpool announced as Notable for 2024 CBCA Book of the Year
What a wonderful honour! In the Rockpool has been awarded the 2024 Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year - Early Child Notable honour. We knew that Australian families and educators were enjoying the book, and the Notable is the icing on the...
In the Rockpool teaching and library resources
On the hunt for counting companion activities for early childhood and prep children? Here's resources to match my In the Rockpool board book. After a quick fix of activities to match my new book In the Rockpool, illustrated by Hannah Sommerville? Ramble...
The rather full 2023 wrap up
Whoa! 2023 you sure were an action-packed, all-happening year! I have just tallied up my own year of special things and thought you’d be interested to know what went on from my end, and just what I got up to. I’ve always been a number cruncher and data...
In the rockpool book launch
In the rockpool is offically launched Goodness me Rye Preschool, of all the kindergarten rock pools in all of the world, I wandered into yours on book launch day. And what a superb surprise seaside party you threw! How lucky am I? We sang, we counted,...
2023 Book of the year winners
A most special honour. Jetty Jumping has been awarded the 2023 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year (5-8yrs) for contributions to language & literacy development.That’s all Hannah Sommerville and I can ask for, that together we created a valued book that...
A new book thanks to the Little Hare Prize
I'm all kinds of swirling-twirling thrilled to share this news. Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing has announced that the Little Hare Illustration Prize is returning in October 2023. Awarded biennially, the prize is open to aspiring picture-book artists across...
In the Rockpool cover reveal
IN THE ROCKPOOL cover reveal So very excited to share the vibrant cover of our new board book IN THE ROCKPOOL. From the depth of my water-loving heart, thanks to Hannah Sommerville and Hardie Grant Books … this little book glints in the sunshiney, seashore light....
I’m a May Gibbs Fellow
It’s an honour to share that I have been awarded a 2024 May Gibbs Childrens Literature Trust Fellowship. The May Gibbs Children's Literature Trust promotes the creation of contemporary Australian children’s literature in the belief that children’s books, written...
An author’s guide to surviving and thriving in Children’s Book Week
Children's Book Week is upon us! It's more than just costumes, it's a time of literacy connection, bringing books into a front row seat and inspiring young readers with writing, reading and author connections. In August every year authors and illustrators across...
2023 Children’s Book Week Costume inspo
On the countdown for 2023 Children's Book Week and stuck for ideas? Children's Book Week costume crisis? Roll this way my friends ... I have some wheelie good suggestions for my picture book Sunday Skating, illustrated by Hannah Sommerville. All you'll need...
Reading and Rolling into 2023 Children’s Book Week
Well hey, there Children's Book Council of Australia Children's Book Week ... you're starting early for me with a huge month of reading and rolling, workshopping, and skating story times ahead! Looking forward to all the book-loving fun! Stap on your helmet, step...
Skating through our Sydney book tour
Hannah Sommerville and I roll into Sydney for our Sunday Skating book launch tour Armed with whizz fizz showbags and new signing pens, Hannah Sommerville and I skated through the suburbs of Sydney with our new book Sunday Skating and happy hearts. Biggest...
Sunday Skating released in the UK and Europe
Sunday Skating has rolled into UK and Europe! Hannah Sommerville and I hope UK and European readers love rolling with us. Sunday Skating is a story is all about self-doubt, courage, the power of friendship and kids on rollerblades, rollerskates and skateboards! ...
Sunday Skating Teachers Notes and Activity Resources
With Sunday Skating rolling into schools and libraries, Hardie Grant has released the Teachers Notes to help educators and home school communities incorporate the picture book with related activities, discussion topics, and notes. Teachers’ Notes help...
Published in new anthology Teacher, Teacher
l'm thrilled to share I have an essay featuring in a new anthology honouring teachers. Teacher, Teacher is an inspiring, powerful and relatable anthology with stories from well-known contributors about what makes an exceptional teacher. The power of an exceptional...
New Andrea Rowe / Hannah Sommerville book out in November 2023
We’ve sent another book off to print this week. Hannah Sommerville and I are so excited to be back together again, and we can’t wait to share our next book when it’s released later this year! We hope you love exploring a special part of our shoreline with us! Our...
Jetty Jumping shortlisted for Australian Speech Pathologist awards
Last week during the release of our new book, Sunday Skating, Hannah Sommerville and I were thrilled to learn that our previous book, Jetty Jumping, was shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia 20th Annual Book of the Year awards. For two decades, this...