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Jeannie
Baker
Author & Illustrator |
EC,
MC, EA |
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Christine
Balint |
LA, ADULT |
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Duncan
Ball |
MC |
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Margaret
Barbalet |
EC, MC,
EA, LA, ADULT |
|
Rory
Barnes |
EA |
Graeme Base
Author & Illustrator |
EC, MC,
EA, LA, ADULT |
|
Dianne
Bates |
MC, EA |
|
Catherine
Bateson |
MC, EA,
LA |
| Michael
Gerard Bauer |
EA, LA |
|
Krista
Bell |
MC, EA |
|
Dyan
Blacklock |
MC, EA |
Freya Blackwood
Illustrator |
n.a. |
| Bronwyn
Blake |
EA, LA |
UK Quentin
Blake
Illustrator & Author |
EC, MC, EA |
|
Ian Bone |
MC, EA,
LA |
| Colin
Bowles WA |
MC, EA, ADULT |
| UK Theresa
Breslin |
EC, MC,
EA, LA |
| Janeen
Brian |
EC, MC, EA |
|
Damien
Broderick |
EA, LA,
ADULT |
Ron Brooks
Illustrator |
n.a. |
|
Errol
Broome WA |
MC |
|
Mary
Grant Bruce |
MC, EA
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Alyssa
Brugman |
EA, LA |
| J.
C. Burke |
EA, LA |
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indicates Australian authors/illustrators
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| WA |
indicates Western Australian authors/illustrators |
| Key |
indicates readership
levels for author's fiction works:
- EC Early Childhood = Kindergarten -
Yr 3
- MC Middle Childhood = Yrs 3 - 7
- EA Early Adolescence = Yrs 7 - 10
- YA Late Adolescence/Young Adulthood
= Yrs 10 - 12
- ADULT
NOTE: No levels are assigned to illustrators.
Illustrations can be appreciated at all levels. |
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Jeanie Baker's website
includes information about her artwork, a bibliography,
answers to some common questions, a list of her
books. The Focus section is especially useful
for students and teachers. It contains interviews
and notes related to some of her books, notably
The Story of Rosy Dock, Window, Where
the Forest Meets the Sea and Home in the
Sky.
Jeannie Baker lives in Sydney.
She is author and illustrator of numerous picture
books, several of which have won Australian and
International awards. Her collage constructions
are included in many public art collections and
have been exhibited in galleries in London, New
York and Australia.
Picture Books
(A selection)
- Belonging,
2004
CBCA Picture Book
of the Year 2005 Shortlist
-
The Hidden Forest,
2000
- The
Story of Rosy Dock,
1995
Honour Book, CBCA Picture Book of the
Year, 1995
Notable Book American Library Association
Australian Wilderness Society Fiction
Award for Children's Books
- Window,
1991
Winner, CBCA Picture Book of the Year,
1991
Shortlisted, Kate Greenaway Medal, British
Library Association
Winner, Picture Book Award YABBA (Young
Australian's Best Book Award)
- Where the Forest
Meets the Sea, 1988
Honour Book, CBCA Picture Book of the
Year, 1988
Honour Book Boston Globe Horn Book Award,
USA, 1988
Best Picture Book KOALA (Kids Own Australian
Literature Award), 1990
Honour award for Illustration IBBY (International
Board of Books for Young People), 1990
Honour Book, Austrian Children's Book
Council Award, 1996
- Home
in the Sky,
1984
Highly Commended, CBCA Picture Book of
the Year 1984
Shortlisted, Kate Greenaway Medal, British
Library Association, 1984
Notable Book American Library Association
1984
- One Hungry Spider,
1982
- Millicent,
1980
- Grandmother,
1978
- Grandfather,
1977
- Polar, 1975
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Film
Produced by Film Australia, Artist/Author/Director
Jeannie Baker
- The Story of Rosy Dock, 1995
- Where the Forest Meets the Sea,
1988
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Source:
Walker Books, The Hidden Forest publicity
sheets, January 2000
Other Information Sources
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Christine Balint, a promising
new writer, was born in Melbourne in 1975. She has
wanted to be an author since she was a child and
won a number of prizes for her writing when a teenager.
As well as writing, Christine teaches creative writing
at the Victorian College of the Arts.
The Salt Letters published
in 1999 is her first novel and was shortlisted
for The Australian/Vogel
Literary Award. |
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Students who enjoy Duncan Ball's
stories will also enjoy his colourful website. Find
here information about the author, published titles,
an activities centre, a competition, poetry, teaching
notes and an email link to contact the author. Also
link to Selby's Site, Emily's Site and Piggott Family
and friends.
Duncan Ball's titles regularly feature in children's
choice awards.
Novels
The Selby Series
- Selby Speaks
- Selby's Secret
- Selby Screams
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- Selby Spacedog
- Selby Supersnoop
- Selby Snowbound
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The Emily Eyefinger Series
- Emily Eyefinger
- Emily Eyefinger, Secret
Agent
- Emily Eyefinger and
the Lost Treasure
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Skinny Mysteries
- The Case of the Graveyard
Ghost
- The Case of the Walkabout
Clock
- The Case of the Getaway
Gold
- The Case of the Midnight
Zappers
- The Case of the Runaway
Bullet
- The Case of the Vampire's
Wire
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The Ghost Series
- The Ghost and the Goggle
Box
- The Ghost and the Gory
Story
- The Ghost and the Shutterbug
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Rory Barnes, author of novels
for both teenagers and adults was born in London
in 1946, but has lived most of his life in Australia.
He has an Arts degree and has held an Australian
Fellowship at Stanford University's Creative Writing
Centre in California. He lives in Adelaide with
his wife and sons.
Rory's website contains a detailed autobiography,
information about his writing and an interview with
Sophie Masson.
Novels |
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Margaret Barbalet has written
two picture books for children, both of which have
been shortlisted for Children's Book Council of
Australia awards. She also writes books for adults.
Picture Books
- Wolf, illustrated
by Jane Tanner, 1992
Shortlisted, CBCA Picture Book of the
Year, 1993
- Reggie,
Queen of the Street,
illustrated by Andrew McLean, 2003
Shortlisted, CBCA Picture Book of the
Year, 2003
Shortlisted, CBCA Book of the Year: Early
Childhood, 2003 |
Adult Novels
- Blood in the Rain,
1986
- Steel Beach, 1988
Shortlisted, Vogel Award
- Lady, Baby, Gypsy, Queen,
1992
- The Presence of Angels,
2001
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Graeme Base studied graphic design and worked in
advertising for a number of years before moving
into book illustration and writing his own picture
books.
One of his most famous works worldwide is Animalia.
Picture Books
- My Grandma lived in
Gooligulich, 1983
- The Days of the Dinosaurs,
written by Jan Anderson, 1984
- Animalia, 1986
Honour Book, CBCA Picture Book of the
Year, 1987
- Creation Myths,
retold by Maureen Stewart, 1987
- Jabberwocky: From Through
the Looking Glass, written by Lewis
Carroll, 1987
- The Eleventh Hour,
1988
Joint Winner, CBCA Picture Book of the
Year, 1989
- The Sign of the Seahorse,
1992
- The
Discovery of Dragons,
1996
- The
Worst Band in the Universe,
1999
- The
Waterhole, 2001
Notable Book, CBCA Picture Book of the
Year, 2002
- Jungle
Drums, 2004
- Uno's
Garden, 2006, Environment
Award for Children's Literature 2007
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Novels
- TruckDogs,
2003
Shortlisted, CBCA Book of the Year: Younger
Readers, 2004 |
Information Sources
Graeme Base talks about his life
and some of his early picture books in interesting
detail.
Students might be interested
to know that Graeme designed a set of stamps for
Australia Post in 2003.
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Multi-talented Dianne Bates is
the author of over 70 children's fiction and non-fiction
books. She grew up in NSW where she still lives
with her husband, author Bill
Condon.
Dianne is perhaps best known for her Grandma
Cadbury and Bushranger stories for younger
readers but she considers The Last Refuge
as her most important book.
To find out more about Dianne go to her website
above which contains a detailed biography, complete
list of her books, a photograph and email contact.
Younger Readers
(A selection)
Grandma Cadbury Series
- Grandma Cadbury's Trucking
Tales, 1987
- Grandma Cadbury's Safari
Tours, 1989
- Grandma Cadbury's Bikie
Gang, 1993
- Grandma
Cadbury's Water World,
1997
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Bushranger Series
- Basil Bopp the Burperr
- Daring Dora and the
All-Girl Gang
- Bushranger Bob and the
Nude Olympics
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Supa Dooper Series
- The Bogey Man in the
Garden
- The Trouble with Parents
- Troublemaker
- Big Bad Bruce
- Promise Not To Laugh
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Older Readers |
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Catherine Bateson is at heart
a poet but in recent years she has written novels
for teenagers and younger readers. In all her work
Catherine's love of poetry shines through in her
choice of language and the interests of her characters.
Catherine lives in Melbourne, where she teaches
creative writing as well as continuing to write
her own poems and novels.
Younger Readers
Older Readers
Information Sources
Catherine's website above
contains interesting personal information,
information about her books, awards, news,
a Blog and examples of primary, secondary
and tertiary students writing.
Go to the University of
Queensland Press site to access Teacher's
notes to support Rain May and
Captain Daniel, Painted
Love Letters and A
Dangerous Girl.
Author profile on publisher
site.
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Michael
Gerard Bauer lives in Brisbane, Queensland. He is
a part-time English teacher and writer. The
Running Man, his first novel
has been well received, winning the 2003 Brisbane
Writer's Festival WriteSmall competition, a listing
as one of the top 10 books for young adults for
2004 in Magpies magazine and inclusion on
the CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers, 2005 Shortlist.
Find teacher's notes for The Running Man at:
Downloadable teacher’s
notes in pdf format are available for this title
in the Schools Book Club section of Scholastic Australia.
The comprehensive notes include a story synopsis;
interesting background to the story provided by
the author, a consideration of structure and style,
questions to consider during reading and suggested
learning activities.
Michael Gerard Bauer's second
book, Don't
Call Me Ishmael (2006) has
been shortlisted in the Older Readers category
of the 2007 CBCA Awards.
Information
Sources |
Author profile on Scholastic
site.
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Krista Bell author, broadcaster,
book critic and writer-in-residence lives in Melbourne
with her family but was born in NSW and has lived
in New York. She has written fiction for children
in the middle years of schooling and several of
her books have a sport's theme. To find out more
about this popular author visit her attractive website.
It contains biographical details, information about
her writing and other occupations, photographs and
contact addresses.
Middle Childhood
- Jezza, Illustrated by Kim Lardner,
1991
- Pidge. A Friend for Keeps? Illustrated
by Ann James, 1997
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Top Shots series
- The Slammers, 1995
- Star Rookie,
1995
- Camp Phantom,
1996
- Nothing but the Net,
1996
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Early Adolescence
Nonfiction
- Where Do You Get Your Ideas?
1996. CBCA Notable Book, 1997.
This is a compilation of Krista Bell's
interviews with children's authors, concentrating
on the creative process.
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Australian author for young adults,
Bronwyn Blake lives on a property, near a historic
gold mining town, in central Victoria. She has been
a full-time author since 2000 but even as a child
was interested in writing.
Her attractive website reflects her interest in
her environment, evident in her novels, all of which
have a strong sense of place. Teachers and teenagers
looking for information about Bronwyn or information
about writing will find this a very useful site.
It contains biographical background, news, a booklist,
writing ideas, FAQs, links, guestbook and contact.
Novels (A
Selection)
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Anyone who has read Roald
Dahl will be familiar with Quentin Blake’s
witty and wonderfully expressive, economic drawings,
which capture perfectly Dahl’s BFG, Matilda
and other memorable characters. Blake is loved worldwide
and in Britain is regarded by many as a national
institution, exemplified by his 1988 OBE and his
appointment, in 1999, as the first Children’s
Laureate, with the role of raising the profile of
children’s literature. The recipient of numerous
book awards, including the Whitbread and the Kate
Greenaway Medal, Blake is also the current holder
of the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration.
Blake has illustrated almost 300 novels and picture
books in collaboration with writers such as John
Yeoman, Russell Hoban, Joan Aiken, and as previously
mentioned, most notably with Roald Dahl. A
Drink of Water written by John Yeoman was
the first children’s book illustrated by Blake.
As well, Blake has created books of his own, including
Mr Magnolia, for which he received
the Kate Greenaway Medal.
Blake’s website (above) enlivened by his exuberant,
amusing illustrations and entertaining activities
will appeal to students young and old. As well as
competitions and downloads for kids there is a wealth
of information about Blake and his work, including
details about his time as Children’s Laureate,
explanations about his art techniques, comprehensive
biographical notes, answers to all those questions
fans ask and much more.
A Selection of
Blake's Work
- A Drink of Water and
Other Stories, 1960. Text John Yeoman
- Albert the Dragon,
1961. Text Rosemary Weir
- The Gentle Knight,
1964. Text Richard Schickel
- Patrick, 1968. Written
& illustrated by Quentin Blake
- A Near Thing for Captain
Najork, 1975. Text Russell Hoban
- Mister Magnolia,
1980. Written & illustrated by Quentin
Blake
- George's Marvellous
Medicine, 1981. Text Roald Dahl
- The BFG, 1982. Text
Roald Dahl
- The Witches, 1982.
Text Roald Dahl
- Mrs Armitage on Wheels,
1987. Written & illustrated by Quentin
Blake
- Matilda, 1988. Text
Roald Dahl
- Simpkin, 1993. Written
& illustrated by Quentin Blake
- Clown, 1995. Quentin
Blake
- Zagazoo, 1997
- Up With the Birds! 1998.
Written & illustrated by Quentin
Blake
- Fantastic Daisy Artichoke,
1999. Written & illustrated by Quentin
Blake
- A Sailing Boat in the
Sky, 2002. Written & illustrated
by Quentin Blake
- Mrs
Armitage Queen of the Road, 2003
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Additional Sources
BLAKE, Quentin.
Words
and Pictures
London : Jonathan Cape, 2000.
205 p.
ISBN 0 224 03266 6 hbk $59.95
SCIS No: 1033091
BLAKE, Quentin. Tell
Me a Picture
London : Lincoln, 2001. 1 v.
ISBN 0 7112 2067 0 pbk $31.46
SCIS No: 1120121
[Available in Australia 2003]
Magic
Pencil: Children’s Book Illustration Today
Selected by Quentin Blake.
London : British Council/British Library, 2002.
112 p.
ISBN 0 7123 4770 4 hbk $39.95
SCIS No: 1119102
[Available in Australia 2003]
Readers Interview Their Favourite
Author.
Issue 13: Quentin Blake
Young Writer is a journal published
in the UK for young people available in both print
and online editions. The aim is to feature: the
best in English language creative writing from children
aged 15-18 from around the world.
Among other features each edition
contains an interview with a favourite author. In
Issue 13 Quentin Blake answers questions such as
‘How did you feel when they announced the
winner of the Children’s Laureate? Did you
first start to like books because of the words or
the pictures? And, Do you like writing as much as
drawing and painting?
This site is valuable not only for the information
it provides about authors and illustrators but also
for the models it provides for students’ writing
and interviewing.
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Dyan Blacklock is both a
writer and publisher of children's fiction and nonfiction.
To find out how she started to write and how she
writes, plus information about her books, see the
Allen & Unwin site above.
Novels for Younger
Readers
- Comit Vomit
- Crab Bait
- Pankration
(Age 11+; historical fiction set in Ancient
Greece)
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Novel for Older Readers
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| Nonfiction |
- Olympia,
2000. Illustrations
by David Kennett ; text by Dyan Blacklock
CBCA Eve Pownall Award for Information
Books 2001.
- The
Roman Army, 2004
Illustrations by David
Kennett ; text by Dyan Blacklock
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The Adelaide City Library
site below also contains useful information about
this popular author:
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Freya Blackwood is a new illustrator
of children's books. Her first book in conjunction
with award-winning author, John Heffernan, is shortlisted
for two CBCA Awards.
Picture Books
- Two
Summers, written
by John Heffernan, 2003
CBCA Picture Book of the
Year, 2004 Shortlist
Crichton Award for a new
illustrator, 2004
- The
Man from Snowy River, 2004.
Verse by A.B. (Banjo) Paterson, illustrated
by Freya Blackwood
- Emily's
Rapunzel Hair,
2005. Illustrated story written by Cecily
Matthews, illustrated by Freya Blackwood.
CBCA Early Childhood
Book of the Year, 2006 Shortlist.
- Amy
& Louis, 2006.
Written by Libby Gleeson. CBCA Early
Childhood Book of the Year, 2007
- Waltzing
Matilda, 2006. Written by
Banjo Paterson
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Information Sources
Brief biographical information.
John Heffernan comments on his
text of Two Summers and how Freya's illustrations
complement the story. |
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Ian Bone has had more than
twenty young adult and children's fiction titles
published, including many award winners and notable
books. His books have been published overseas, in
the USA, United Kingdom, Germany and Korea. Ian
was born in Geelong, Victoria, studied media and
worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
making children's television programmes.
His interesting website above contains biographical
information, answers to frequently asked questions,
books and reviews, as well as contact details.
Younger Readers
(A selection)
- Winning Back Dad,
1999, Illustrated by Craig Smith
Notable Book, CBCA Book of the Year: Younger
Readers, 2000
Commendation, 1999 Family Awards for Children's
Literature
- Spy Babies,
2000
Notable Book, CBCA Book of the Year: Younger
Readers, 2001
- Maddy in the Middle,
illustrated by Mitch Vane (Solo),
2001
Notable Book, CBCA Book of the Year: Early
Childhood,2002
- A
Dangerous Secret, 2003
- Scarlett's
Bat, 2003
[Aussie Bites]
- Shoo
Cat, 2003 [Solo]
- Philomena
Wonderpen is a Very Naughty Teacher, 2006
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Older
Readers (A selection)
- Fat Boy Saves
the World, 1998
Notable Book, CBCA Book of the Year: Older
Readers, 1999
- The Puppet,
1999, Illustrated by Shaun Tan (After
Dark)
- Blood on the
Microphone, 2001 (Crime Waves)
Shortlisted, Ned Kelly Awards for Crime
Fiction, 2002
- That
Dolphin Thing,
2001
Notable Book, CBCA Book of the Year: Older
Readers, 2002
- Tin Soldiers,
2001
Shortlisted, NSW Premier's Awards 2001
- The
Song of an Innocent Bystander,
2002
Shortlisted, CBCA Book of the Year: Older
Readers, 2003
- Sleep
Rough Tonight, 2004
- Love
Cuts, 2006
Notable CBCA Book of the Year, Older Readers
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The Adelaide City Library
site below also contains useful information about
this popular author:
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Western Australian
author Colin Bowles writes for both adults and children
but maintains that Nights in the Sun will
be his last YA or children's book. Colin writes
adult thrillers under the pseudonym Colin Falconer
and many of his books have been translated. More
information about Colin is available on the websites
below.
Younger Readers
- Surfing
Mr Petrovic
1997
CBCA Notable Book, 1998: Younger
Readers; WAYBRA 1999 Shortlist
- The Witch of Endor
Street, 1996
- Heroes and Dragons,
1995
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Older
Readers
Sources of Information
Author profile
from Showcasing Western
Australia
Teacher's Notes for Going
Off and Nights
in the Sun. [Select titles from side Menu]
Short biography and book list.
Short biography
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Theresa Breslin, Scottish author
and librarian, and winner of several awards including
the prestigious Carnegie Medal, writes children's,
young adult and adult books. Her comprehensive website
contains information about her books including background
research, biographical details, book notes to promote
discussion, questions and answers plus useful links.
Younger Readers
(A selection)
- Blair Makes a Splash
- Name Games
- Bullies at School
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Older
Readers (A selection)
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A former teacher, Janeen Brian
is a writer based in South Australia. She is the
author of more than 60 titles in a variety of genres,
including picture books, short fiction, non-fiction
and poetry, and has been recognised in the Children's
Book Council of Australia awards for her work.
Her books appear regularly on the Premier's Reading
Challenge lists of South Australia and Victoria.
Some have been translated and are
now distributed in many countries. Janeen
is also a professional performer, having acted in a children's theatre company,
made many television and radio commercials and done
voice-overs for video documentaries.
Younger Readers
(A selection)
- Brolga, illustrated
by Annie McQueen. 1994
- Dog
Star,
illustrated by Ann
James. CBCA
Notable Book (Younger Readers), 1998
- Duck Down, illustrated by Michael Johnson. CBCA
Notable Book (Younger Readers), 1998
- Rocky, illustrated
by Harry Slaghekke.CBCA
Notable Book (Younger Readers), 1998
- Leaves
for Mr Walter,
illustrated by David Cox. CBCA
Notable Book (Picture Books), 1999
- What's
in the River? illustrated
by Janine Dawson. 2001
- Party
Time!, illustrated
by Beth Norling, CBCA
Notable Book (Early Childhood), 2003
- Where Does Thursday
Go? illustrated
by Stephen
Michael King. CBCA
Honour Book (Early Childhood); CBCA
Notable Book (Picture Books) 2002
- Pop-up
Fox, 2004
By
Jingo! : an Alphabet of Animals, 2005
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Non-Fiction (A
selection)
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Damien Broderick
was born in Melbourne in 1944. Apart from being
a writer, editor and critic; he is also an Associate
of the Department of English and Cultural Studies
at the University of Melbourne. His most famous
novel to date, The dreaming dragons,
was named as one of the hundred best science fiction
novels in the English language.
Novels
- The Black Grail
- The Dark Between
the Stars
- The Dreaming
Dragons Ditmar Award for best
Australian SF novel, 1981; runner-up,
John W. Campbell Award, 1981
- The Judas Mandala
- The Magi
- The Sea's Furtherest
End
- Sorcerer's World
- Striped Holes
Ditmar Award for best Australian
SF novel, 1989
- Transmitters
Special Ditmar Award
- The White Abacus
- Zones
(with Rory Barnes)
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Essay by Damien Broderick:
Theory In, Theory Out
discusses scientific theory, language and imagination:
From the National Australian
Voices Essays, published in the Australian
Book Review |
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Twice winner of the Picture
Book of the Year Award, Ron Brooks is a talented
illustrator. He is also a print-maker, designer,
painter and sculptor, and has been a lecturer in
art and design. He grew up in Gippsland, Victoria
and now lives in Tasmania. The beauty of the Tasmanian
landscape provides him with much inspiration for
his work.
In his keynote address at the Children's Book
Council of Australia National Conference in May
2000, Ron maintained that he does not think
of himself as an illustrator and finds book illustration
an arduous task. The words are very important to
him. He is attracted to texts that touch the heart
and 'offer universal truths and universal values'.
His role as he sees it is to explore the layers
of meaning ...'to find the places between the words'.
...firstly
to try and do maximum possible justice to the
text, to the writer, and secondly to allow the
reader to find their own connections with the
story...
The Dromkeen Book of Australian
Children's Illustrators. Scholastic, 1997. p
33.
Picture
Books (A selection)
- The Bunyip of Berkeley's
Creek
Written by Jenny Wagner
Winner, CBCA Picture Book of the Year
1974
- John Brown, Rose
and the Midnight Cat
Written by Jenny Wagner
Winner CBCA Picture Book of the Year 1978
Visual Arts Board Award, NSW Premier's
Award
- Old Pig, written
by Margaret Wild
- Rosie and Tortoise,
written by Margaret Wild
- Henry's Bath, written
by Margaret Perversi
- Henry's Bed, written
by Margaret Perversi
- Fox,
written by Margaret Wild, 2000
Winner, CBCA Picture Book of the Year,
2001
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Sources of Information:
For brief information about Ron Brooks and a photograph
see the Allen & Unwin site above.
For more a more in-depth view refer to:
The Dromkeen Book of Australian Children's Illustrators.
Sydney : Scholastic, 1997. p 32-33.
ISBN 1 86388 695 8 |
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Errol Broome was born and
grew up in Perth, Western Australia and worked as
a journalist. She now writes for children, mainly
for the 7 to 12-year-old age group. The Allen
and Unwin site above contains a short biography
of Errol, information about her writing process
and summaries of some of her books.
Novels
(A selection)
- Dear Mr Sprouts
Winner, WA Premier's Children's Book Award,
1992
- Tangles
Shortlisted, WA Premier's Children's Book
Award, 1993
- Rockhopper,
1994
- Splashback -
A Great Greasy Journey, 1996
- What
a Goat, illustrated
by Sharon Thompson, 1996
- Quicksilver,
1997
- Maybe Magnus,
1998
- Away with the
Birds, 2000
Honour Book, CBCA Book of the Year: Younger
Readers, 2001
- The
Judas Donkey, illustrated
by Sharon Thompson, 2003
Notable Book, CBCA
Book of the Year: Younger Readers, 2004
- Gracie
and the Emperor, 2003
Notable Book, CBCA
Book of the Year: Younger Readers, 2004
Shortlisted, WA Premier's Book Awards:
Young Adults, 2003
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In the first half of the twentieth century, Mary
Grant Bruce 1878 - 1958, together with Ethel Turner,
dominated Australian children's literature. Mary
Grant Bruce wrote 38 books but is best remembered
for her Billabong series set on an idealised
sheep station in northern Victoria.
Through
flood, drought, fire, war and domestic crises,
Billabong remains unchanged, rooted in
the healthy nature of outdoor life, and founded
on ideals of leadership, hard work, independence,
and above all, mateship - for one's own class
and race. The idealised world of Billabong
was much loved by its fans, both children and
adults, and became a model of what it meant to
be Australian to a generation of readers.
Lees, Stella and
Macintyre, Pam. The Oxford Companion to Australian
Children's Literature, p53
Novels (A
selection - Still in print)
- A Little Bush Maid,
1910 (Billabong series
Book 1)
- Mates at Billabong,
1911 (Billabong series Book
2)
- Norah of Billabong,
1913 (Billabong series Book
3)
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References:
For further biographical information
about Mary Grant Bruce and the influence of her
writing the following books are useful:
- Back to Books: Creating
a Focus on Fiction. Volume 1. Edited
by Susan La Marca. Richmond, Vic : School
Library Association of Victoria, 1999.
Chapter 3. Lees, Stella. 'Reading Our
Culture: Some Classic Australian Books
For Young Readers'. p 25-40
- Foster, John, Finnis,
Ern and Nimon, Maureen. Australian
Children's Literature: An Exploration
of Genre and Theme. Wagga Wagga, NSW
: Centre for Information Studies, 1995.
Chapter 2
- Lees, Stella and Macintyre,
Pam. The Oxford Companion to Australian
Children's Literature. Melbourne :
Oxford University Press Australia, 1993.
p 52-53. (Billabong series); 71-72 (Mary
Grant Bruce)
- McVitty, Walter, Authors
& Illustrators of Australian Children's
Books Hodder & Stoughton,
1989, p 31-33.
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Alyssa Brugman began writing
in 1996, when she was 22. She submitted Finding
Grace to the Australian Vogel Literary
Award in 1998, where it was received favourably
despite not winning an award at that time. She
lives in the Hunter Valley in N.S.W. where she
writes full-time. A series of pony books has proven
popular with younger readers.
Novels
- Finding
Grace, 2001
CBCA Book of the Year:
Older Readers, 2002 Shortlist
- Walking
Naked, 2002
Honour Book, CBCA Book of the Year: Older
Readers, 2003
- Being
Bindy, 2004
- Beginner's
luck, 2005
- For
Sale or Swap, 2005
- Hot
Potato, 2006
- Hide
and Seek, 2007
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See Also:
A website written and designed
by Alyssa Brugman for aspiring writers, which contains
information about her books, advice about writing,
the text of two speeches: Speech for CBCA Conference
Presentation (Hobart) and SMH Young Writer of the
Year speech and book reviews written by young people.
NOTE this is a geocities site and contains some
advertising on the homepage, which can be turned
off. |
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JC (Jane Catherine) Burke lives
in Sydney with her husband and children. Both her
parents were writers, but Burke chose nursing as
a career after her mother died of cancer and she
worked in major teaching hospitals in Sydney and
the UK before moving onto writing. Her hospital
and family experiences are reflected in her novels,
especially in White Lies and The Story
of Tom Brennan.
Novels
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