The sun set yesterday on the beautiful life of Jesse Blackadder. Although we’ve had weeks to process this inevitable thing, it still seems impossible to believe Jesse is no longer here. It wasn’t long ago when Jesse, Tristan, Sarah, Sam, Sib and I sat around a...
This is a strange time, right? 16 March, my family and I were in Tasmania, staying in a remote little cabin, with no wifi or phone reception. When we emerged from our retreat, en route to a primary school in Queenstown, we discovered that the...
We are in the months of COVID19 isolation, and as usual I am thinking about how to inspire young writers. Check out my suggestions at Allison Tait's blog....
I have just had the honour of launching two books, both written and illustrated by Grade 3 & 4 kids at Casino Public School. This was an exceptional experience, working with kids over three sessions to create a book, start to finish. The kids were endlessly...
A year ago, I visited a Grade 4 classroom to run a writing workshop. I started the workshop by asking the kids who liked writing. It was one of those schools where just about every kid threw up their hand. But there was one boy,...
Everyone has a favourite picture book, right? A book that got into their bones when they were really young, and stayed there. Or maybe it’s a new book you’ve fallen in love with, when reading to your little ones. Falling in love with, or rediscovering...
Ah, Book Week! This is the first year, my kids will have a book parade, and to be honest, I am excited! I took the plunge and made myself a peach crayon costume. My kids are going as Alison Ashley, and Bertie, respectively. Very sweet...
It's Mother's Day on Sunday. I expect hoards of presents, flowers, cards, mountains of breakfast in bed ...
It’s Easter Monday. A public holiday. Our youngest daughter Eve wakes early. ‘Get out of bed!’ she says. ‘It’s Moana day! Remember, no devices!’ The gorgeous girl had crafted herself a raft out of bamboo fence, and a paddle from a piece of bamboo and a...
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