Success for Australian Children's Books in Frankfurt

Source: Publishing
Perspectives

Melbourne-based children's publisher, Andrew Wilkins from Wilkins Farago, reported daily for Publishing Perspectives at this year's Frankfurt Book Fair. 

We think you'll find his article below very interesting and positive. Link through to read the full article. 

Australian Children's Books Achieve Strong Sales and International Recognition

Source: Publishing Perspectives 

Oct 13, 2011 by Andrew Wilkins

"Australian children's books consistently outsell adult fiction in the global rights market, according to trade magazine Bookseller+Publisher's annual survey of Australian rights managers, 'The Right Stuff'. 

Within the category of Australian children's books, picture book rights are the most often sold, followed by junior fiction and young adult..."  

Get Creative - write or illustrate the story of "Man, Dog, Boat"...

Since 1995 the 'Man, Dog, Boat' sculpture at the entrance to Gasworks Arts Park has been an iconic feature for all its visitors, as well as becoming the Park's official logo.

If you have not had the pleasure of visiting before, Gasworks is a not-for-profit community arts centre based in Albert Park, which used to be a working gas works. The beautiful old buildings have since been renovated; converted into theatres and studios for a range of workshops and performances.

Gasworks Arts Park are inviting children, up to the age of 17, to write and/or illustrated the story behind these mysterious characters.

Entries will be exhibited in the 'Man, Dog, Boat Exhibition and Award Ceremony' opening on Saturday 19 November.

You can enter individually or as a group - so get your friends, families and classes involved. Kids are encouraged to be as inventive and creative as possible!

• Write the story of the characters and how they ended up on the boat (Who are they? Where are they from?)
• Use the sculpture as inspiration for your own illustrations of their adventures
• Create a story board or graphic novel 
• Use visual media such as Imovie to make an animation filming your drawings
• Create a 3D sculpture inspired by the characters 

For more ideas visit the Man, Dog, Boat Wikispace... and add to our 
on-going story!

From Rolf Heimann in China

Hi Ann and Jess,

I'm still in China, (from September26th to October 8th), on behalf of the
Australian Cartoonists Association. I must have done 500 kangaroos,
naturally the animal they always wanted me to draw when signing books or
giving autographs.

The occasion was the 3rd Animation Fair in Dongguan
(ACTIF), mainly a fair for merchandizing and promoting animation, but
incorporating children's books. Part of our activity was at the City Library
in Dongguan, where I donated some of my books. The events were attended by
crowds of enthusiastic kids.

From, Rolf

(click on map link below to see where the Fair is happening. Read more about Rolf's illustration.