A Selection of Titles from Australian Publishers 2012

Illustration by Shaun Tan. 

If you would like to view the 'Selection of Titles from Australian Publishers 2012' taken to Bologna Children's Book Fair click here or on the catalogue cover below.   


This catalogue was created by The Australian Publishers Association (APA) which is the peak industry body for Australian book, journal and electronic publishers. Established in 1948, the Association is an advocate for all Australian publishers: large or small; commercial or nonprofit; academic or popular; locally or overseas owned. 


The APA’s initiatives at Bologna Book Fair aim to support publishers in the promotion and sale of rights to Australian children’s books and to facilitate contact between Australian publishers and international agents and promoters. In broader terms they aim to promote Australian culture and literary culture internationally, and draw attention to and showcase the diversity and depth of Australian children’s books.


This initiative is proudly supported by Copyright Agency Limited’s (CAL) Cultural Fund.

News from Bologna Children's Book Fair 2012

We thought you'd enjoy seeing some lovely things we spotted while wandering through Bologna Children's Book Fair 2012... 

Portugal was the focus country for 2012 and they had designed this beautiful exhibition of showcases, each filled with an artist's work. 

Can you spot the Australian Illustration Exhibition's poster on the Illustration wall?

A lovely dog!

Ragazzi Award Selection 

Australian Children's Books Shortlisted for the White Ravens Catalogue. 

The Bologna Children's Book Fair's Tenth Anniversary Display

Shaun Tan's Plinth as part of the Tenth Anniversary Display

Our fourth Bologna Children's Book Fair!

This is the fourth Bologna Book Fair that Books Illustrated has attended - with an exhibition of prints to promote Australian picture books and their creators. The exhibition is part of the Australian Publisher's stand.

This year we exhibited 32 Giclee prints from picture books published by 13 Australian publishers, representing over thirty authors and illustrators.

A number of illustrators and authors spent time on the stand drawing, painting and chatting to visitors over the four days, including Judy Horacek, Nick Bland, Ann Jmes, Serena Geddes, Isobelle Carmody, Bruce Mutard, Lucia Masciullo, Lesley Vamos, Chris Cheng and Jeannette Rowe. 

There was a great deal of interest from a variety of visitors including international publishers, illustration agents, illustrators and authors and other individuals. Our stand continues to build fans each year which is encouraging!

Here are some photographs to transport you there...

Nick Bland painting at the Australian Stand Illustration Exhibition with prints and books on display in the background. 

Illustrations and books on display.

Illustrations and books on display at the stand.

Our eye-catching Australian Children's Laureate banner created much interest in what Alison Lester and Boori Monty Pryor will be doing during 2012 and 2013.

Ann James and Chris Cheng demonstrating their talents for visitors passing by.  

The Allen & Unwin and Australian Publishers Association (ASP) stands next to the Illustration Exhibition. 

Hamlet: Staged on the Page

Hamlet: Staged on the Page

Zart Art -4/41 Lexton Road, Box Hill North

Hear author illustrator Nikki Greenberg discuss her extraordinary graphic reinterpretation of William Shakespeare's Hamlet – joint winner of the 2011 CBCA Picture Book of the Year Award.

This evening, presented by the CBCA, Victorian branch and Zart Art, includes supper, book sales and signing.

Bookings to CBCA, Victorian branch PH: 1300360436 www.cbca.org.au

Sunrise, Sunset – watercolour workshops at Gasworks with Ann James

Illustration from 'It's a Miroocool!" by Ann James

April Holiday Workshops Thursday April 12 Create silhouettes in watercolours, charcoal and inks with award-winning illustrator  Ann James. Take part in the all-day celebrations of her new picture book,  It's a Miroocool! 10.15am - 12.15pm, 6 - 9 yrs 1.00pm - 3.00pm, 8 - 14 yrs

Venue: Gasworks Theatre Foyer To book: The Gasworks Arts Park: www.gasworks.org.au Visit the Gasworks Arts Park website to see the wonderful range of workshops and  theatre productions on offer in the April school holidays.

It's a Miroocool!

It's a Miroocool!

Saturday March 31 to Sunday April 13

The release of the new picture book It's a Miroocool!' will be celebrated with an exhibition at Gasworks Arts Park – Foyer Gallery.

The exhibition, by Books Illustrated, will feature Ann's original illustrations, developmental work and objects that inspired her vision for this story.

'It's a Miroocool! is written by Christine Harris, illustrated by Ann James and published by Little Hare Books.

Audrey has already featured in three popular novels written by Christine Harris. The stories are set in the outback in the 1930s and Ann James b&w illustrations for these novels set the scene for some of their historic content.

In this new picture book we are introduced to a younger Audrey with a new adventure. When she loses her first tooth, she's worried the tooth fairy will never find her. How will she let the tooth fairy know where she lives...and what will the tooth fairy leave her?

Visit the exhibition and enter a competition to win a signed 'It's a Miroocool!' book.

On Thursday April 12 you can meet Ann James and have books personally signed - books will be available for sale.

Illustrators are invited to decorate 50 life-sized elephant sculptures

Mali in the City

We thought you'd like to hear about two innovative projects Victorian illustrators will be taking part in over 2012:

Mali in the City

Many hundreds of thousands of Victorians have visited Melbourne Zoo in the last 2 years to see our beautiful elephant calf – Mali. Mali was born in January 2010. She is the first female elephant calf to be born in Australia as part of an international breeding program. Mali is also very special to the Melbourne community. She is the first elephant to be born at Melbourne Zoo in its celebrated 150 year of operation.

To celebrate the importance of Mali the elephant calf to the Melbourne community they have commissioned 50 life-sized fibreglass sculptures to be made. These models will be painted and decorated by local artists and strategically placed around Melbourne for a 6-8 week period. The sculptures will then be assembled on the main lawn at Melbourne Zoo for the month of October 2012 to celebrate the actual 150^th birthday month.

'Mali in the City' will celebrate all of Melbourne’s communities and see the streets, parks, neighbourhoods and public spaces transformed into an open air, free to view, visual cacophony of colourful stories, art and creativity.

If you would like to find out more about this exciting project please contact Lou Pethick, (Executive Assistant to Director Melbourne Zoos Victoria.)

AND...

A Quilting Challenge

As part of the National Year of Reading 2012 Hobsons Bay Libraries are planning to hold a Quilting Challenge.

Quilters who enter will be asked to design a quilt based on a picture book. Alison Lester has given us permission to list “Are we there yet” as a picture book artists can base their print designs on. 

The quilts and picture books will be displayed at the opening of the Williamstown Library in September.

If you would find out more email  pgiumarra@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au or give me a call on 9932 3032

Federation Square Book Market with Judy Watson and Ann James

We had a fabulous time this Saturday at the Federation Square market. With the Bank Holiday weekend and Food and Wine Festival in full swing there was an exciting atmosphere at the market. 

Books Illustrated attends the market on the second Saturday of each month. As well as a range of quality children's books and a display of prints, we have the added attraction of an illustrator working on our stand being filmed live and shown on the big screen!

This week Judy Watson and Ann James were illustrating live and signing books. Here are some photographs of Judy at work with her picture book Goodnight, Mice! on display. 

One Word One Day

Wednesday 14 March 

Listen in to ABC Local Radio (AM 774) when  Australian Children's Laureate, Alison Lester, will be chatting with Richard Stubbs on his program at 1.40pm.

Victorian illustrators inspired by a particular word to be announced on the day, will create art live on air, as you listen! 

A creative collaboration between the Australian Society of Authors (ASA), the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF), Micador and the ABC!

Art created will be auctioned on-line to support the ILF.