Dim's Write Stuff

How does one grow something, from nothing at all, into one's dream no less? Bella, the new little cutie on the block has worked out a way. Bella's dream is no easy peasy desire either. It's her very first bicycle. And like many youngsters, the 'getting' of one's ultimate wish becomes the ultimate fixation. In Bella Grows a Bicycle , Bella has to work hard to realise her heart's desire. Creative duo, Lellie Lopter and Chiara Franceschetti show us how she does so while embracing a backyard bursting with thought provoking implications. Financial empathy and marketing savvy might not be first and foremost on the minds of primary schoolers, however their sense of cause and effect, if ... then concepts and personal gain are almost instinctive. Building on this, Lopter introduces us to a typical family scenario of, "I want ...!" versus, the almost shameful admission, of "It's too expensive". I still utter this to the family at large, solvi...

Ebony and Jay are best buddies. They live in the same street and share the same unquenchable passion for wildlife welfare. They might as well be related, they spend so much time cycling around their seaside town together, but this exciting new animal-inspired junior series by Aussie animal-lover, Candice Lemon-Scott , works a treat thanks to Ebony and Jay’s casual and comic friendship. Together they roam around on their trusty bicycles always ready to lend a helping hand especially at the local wildlife hospital where their altruistic zeal is utilised in the caring of animals and their environment; they wear the titles of Eco Rangers with pride. Occasionally, though, their curiosity and thirst for adventure lands them in serious trouble and that, for us, is where the fun starts. In book one of the Eco Rangers series, our dynamic duo happen upon an abandoned drum on the beach. Even more alarming, they discover a huge stricken bird covered in oil, a pelican in obvious peril! ...

I've been tootling around writers' groups for over eight years or so now. They are always seeping with new knowledge, eager scribes and unbridled passion to pen something wonderful which often spills over into exciting writing projects.   The Ten Penners is a group of dedicated writers that encompasses all these elements of story telling and more. Today I welcome one of the founding members of this group, M arion Martineer to discuss more about their latest project, Mystery, Mayhem and Magic!   Ten Penners Co-ordinator and children's author, Marion Martineer Come with us as we launch into their Blog Tour.  

I mustn't give too much away. There are enough marvellous revelations about The Fix-It Man today as it is thanks in huge part to our sensational collection of Blog Bursting hosts. However, in the essence of a short sweet bubble burst, here are a few insights that didn't make their final cuts. Inspiration for: A baby, a bowl, a daddy and many, many tubes of Superglue First draft generated: April 2014 Number of drafts and rewrites : 17 Number of title changes: None -truly Number of thank you cards I would have to send to those who helped get this baby off the ground, before it was published: At least eight, not counting the husband who kept working to feed us throughout my creative confinement. Ante-publication awards won: Kids' Book Review Unpublished Picture Book Manuscript Award 2013 - shortlisted . Now that it has a real cover and pictures, it might win some more. Location of author when the contract confirmation call came through...finally:...

In little over a week, The Fix-It Man will officially enter the much venerated world of picture books. And I couldn't be more proud. I feel as intoxicated with joy and fulfillment as a six-year-old in a jelly bean factory. It's difficult to bottle such excitement - why would you want to? So to mark the publication of our first book baby together, Nicky Johnston and I are throwing a wee party to which you are ALL invited. It's not a month long Blog Tour, or insanely hectic Blog Blast even.  It's a baby BLOG BURST featuring some of our favourite Bookish Blog sites and buddies.    Feel free to float back and forth between these fantastic sites for information on the book, insights on the creators (us 😊), and reviews.  Kids’ Book Review – Tania McCartney Creative Kids’ Tales – Georgie Donaghey Tours at the Tales   Boomerang Books – Romi Sharp ...

Selfies – more and more, what we once relied on others to do, we now love to attempt ourselves. Book publishing is no exception. The sheer volume of printed (and electronically) produced material out there today is overwhelmingly mind-boggling especially for the discerning parent or caregiver on the hunt for useful literary material to share with children. Here is a small sample of picture book selfies that came my way. They represent a number of notable similarities; namely, their authors are all driven by an insatiable urge to share their knowledge and past experiences with an audience of children. In most instances, this enthusiasm shows in bucket loads. The topics tackled are often more extreme than themes covered in more mainstream publications reflecting the authors’ culture and life values. Karen Tyrrell is one such author. Having released two adult memoirs, her attention is now firmly turned to producing books that empower and educate children on a number of mental...

Living in a land which boasts as many natural disasters as natural wonders, can result in the worst of times and perversely, the best of times. Ex-resident of Far North Queensland's Cassowary Coast, June Perkins , is no stranger to both phenomena. Cyclones are not uncommon in this neck of the rainforest however how their impact affects the lives and livelihoods of those in their wake varies as violently as their magnitude. In After Yasi - Finding the Smile Within , a deeply absorbing collage of images, anecdotes and post-Yasi survivor profiles, Perkins captures the very essence, the profound spirit of recovery. After Yasi distills the stubborn tenacity and resilience of neighbours and friends, loved ones and indeed the entire community into a stirring visual tribute of them struggling to regain normality after an acutely abnormal interruption to their lives. Instead of being a somber exposition of loss and destruction, After Yasi allows hope to permeate through every pa...