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.

Children's Book people are a creative bunch!

This is one of the reasons we love working in the Childrens' Book world ...

Erica Wagner, currently one of the Children's Publishers at Allen & Unwin, opens her first solo painting exhibition Dark Horse on Saturday Sept 24 at Cambridge Studio Gallery in Collingwood ...

From Sept 28 to Oct 2 sees the first ever production of an exciting new theatre company 'Jump Leads' whose founding members include Ros Price, former Children's Publisher at Allen & Unwin and Liz Honey well known children's book author and Illustrator.


Still awake still is on art the Victorian Arts Centre

Shaun Tan's "The Lost Thing – book to film" exhibition at the Australian Academy of Design

This exhibition, curated by Books Illustrated, showcases original artwork by Shaun Tan from his book The Lost Thing as well as representing a ten-year period of creative development for the animated film,The Lost Thing, based on his acclaimed picture book of the same name. Included are conceptual drawings and paintings by Shaun, who was both artist and director for the film.

Dates: 14 – 30 September
Venue: The Academy of design
220 Ingles Street Port Melbourne
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

Group bookings welcome – contact
Ann Haddon at info@booksillustrated.com.au.

Don't miss a special talk by Shaun as part of this exhibition -

Date: Wednesday 21 September
Time: 4.00pm-5.30pm

Bookings Essential $25.00

Books and DVDs will be available for sale.

Also at Port Fairy

A replica /print version of this exhibition will also be showing in Port Fairy, Victoria.

Venue: Blarney Books and Art, 37 James Street, Port Fairy, Vic. PH: 03 5568 2174.

Date: 3rd September to 31st October.

Hours: Thursday to Sunday 11am to 4pm. Open every day during the school holidays.

Customs House Gallery can be contacted on
PH: 0448 348974 or
Email: arthouse@aussiebb.com.au

ART FOR COUNTRY

We've been busy preparing for several exhibitions. One we are really excited to be involved in is ART FOR COUNTRY, which is an art sale and auction in aid of The Indigenous Literacy Foundation. 

As we've been involved in some programs with indigenous communities over the last few years, we know that the work of ILF is valuable that supporting this event is a way of being able to do something about an issue we feel passionate about.

The art is wonderful -There are giclee prints of beautiful pictures made by children in remote communities during workshops with Alison Lester and Liz Honey, Ros Price, Jess and Ann. There are other works by professional indigenous artists too, donated from all over.

Illustrator and painter, Pat Torres from Broome has donated three of her very strong works including an illustration from the classic picture book written by Daisy Utemorrah, Do Not Go Round the Edges.

         There is an event on the evening of Friday Sept 9 in melbourne at the Wheeler Centre
          It should be a great night - with good food, wine and company 
         If you can make it you need to book ASAP - $25 entry

If you can't make it to the event, the catalogue of works is on the ILF website - and plenty are for sale there -  not part of the auction - including the kid's paintings! 

 
                                          Timber Creek (NT) student working on scratch back picture 2010

Illustrators' up-coming Exhibitions

Don't miss out on these two exhibitions: 

A Show of Hands by Jacqui Grantford 

                                                          

 

    Chapel off Chapel

    12 Little Chapel St

    Prahran Vic 3181

  

    July 19 to August 7

    Gallery Hours: 10am to 5pm   

A series of works depicting hands from all walks of life - 

hands from everyday people and well known people. And with each hand portrait there is a story - sometimes inspirational, sometimes sad and sometimes heart warming.