Books Illustrated celebrate International Book Giving Day & Library Lovers' Day at the Lu Rees Archives...

Over the last few days we have been working at the Lu Rees Archives  preparing the final details for our Bob Graham exhibition:

 'A Bird in the Hand' 

Bob Graham: A Retrospective 

Canberra Museum and Gallery May 17 - Sept 5.

There will be a special preview viewing with Bob at the opening night of the CBCA Conference: Discovering National Treasures, Friday 16th May.

As it's International Book Giving Day we thought we'd share a few behind the scenes insights into the making of the exhibition...

Ann James selecting pieces from the archives of 'How to Heal A Broken Wing'

Nicky working on the spreadsheet of exhibition items...

Here are some sketches and photos of Buffy who went to live the UK with Bob & Carolyn and became the star of his own picture book - these & the beautiful dummy are some of the many treasures from the Lu Rees archives which feature in 'A Bird in the Hand' being curated now in Canberra to open at CMAG in mid May.

Buffy, who went to live the UK with Bob & Carolyn and became the star of his own picture book.

A beautiful dummy of 'Buffy: An Adventure Story'

Buffy!

 

Sketches of Buffy by Bob

The Lu Rees Archives is a comprehensive collection of books and other resources about authors, illustrators, publishers and their creative works. The collection includes over 25,000 books, with some 3000 of these in overseas translations in 53 languages, over 420 research files, and significant collections of authors', illustrators' and publishers' papers, manuscripts and artwork. The resources are publicly available, and visitors are welcome during opening hours.

The mission of the Archives is to enhance the appreciation of Australian children's literature by collecting, preserving and making available wide-ranging resources through programs, events and exhibitions. Lu Rees, the founding President of the ACT Branch of The Children's Book Council of Australia proposed in 1974 that there should be a collection of research files about Australian children's authors and illustrators together with a collection of their books. In 1980 this collection was deposited at the University of Canberra Library so it could be publicly available. The Archives is an incorporated body in the ACT, with a Board which includes the Management Sub-committee and the Foundation Sub-committee.

http://www.canberra.edu.au/lurees

Sue de Gennaro - our Guest artist at Fed Square, Saturday February 8

Fed Square Book Market
Sue de Gennaro - our Guest artist at Fed Square, Saturday February 8
Many may know of Sue's popular picture book The Pros & Cons of being a Frog which was shortlisted in last year's CBCA Book of the Year Awards. Meet Sue between 2pm and 4pm, as she demonstrates her quirky illustration style and have some books personally signed.

We will be featuring her most recent picture book – Max & George, written by Cori Brooke and published by Penguin Books. She'll also have work to show on the latest picture book she has illustrated Hairy nosed wombat finds a new Home which is written by Australian Children's Laureate, Jackie French, and due for publication, May 14th this year . Here's a sneak preview of one of the internal illustrations ...

Christmas Events at Fed Square and Books Illustrated Showroom!

Open Days at the Books Illustrated Showroom
Sunday December 8
Visit to see a range of unique gifts for Christmas and get expert advice in choosing that special book for that special child. Showroom open from 12noon to 5pm.
Visitors on these days will be entered into a draw to WIN a signed Bird and Bear book & limited edition print by Ann James (see image above).

Books Illustrated at Fed Square Book Market - Wishing you all a Beary Merry Season!
Saturday December 21

Illustrator Ann James will be demonstrating and happy to personally sign books.
Great Christmas gifts including Australian Christmas books at sale prices

Interview with Anna Walker

You can catch a live interview with author/illustrator Anna Walker for Melbourne Festival on ABC Radio 774 Saturday Oct 19, 7.35am ....

... or catch her live in person at Fed Square on Sunday Oct 20, 12noon to 2pm 

Meet Illustrators at Melbourne Festival Program this weekend!

This month our Books Illustrated stand will be part of the Melbourne Festival - weekend for kids 

Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 October, Fed Square Atrium

Over this weekend you can meet well-known children’s book illustrators and authors including Judith Rossell, Terry Denton, Anna Walker, Mitch Vane, Danny Katz and Ann James.

Filmed live on the big screen, the illustrators will be demonstrating their illustration techniques and how they create their characters.  They will have illustrations to show from published books and books in progress and be happy to chat about their creative process with visitors to the stand.

Illustrations, prints and books will be on display, for sale and available to be personally signed.

• Saturday 19 

10am to 12noon - Ann James

12noon to 2pm -Terry Denton

2pm to 4 pm – Mitch Vane & Danny Katz

• Sunday 20

10am to 12noon – Ann James

12noon to 2pm – Anna Walker

2pm to 4pm – Judith Rossell

'A Little Election' Team at Fed Square Book Market, Oct 19th

A Little Election written by Danny Katz, illustrated by Mitch Vane, published by Walker Books.

One day at lunchtime, Rory decides to become the Prime Minister because then he can do anything he wants. Before you know it, the whole class is having an election. But can you become the Prime Minister if you show everyone your undies? Find out in A Little Election! Released into paperback to coincide with 2013 ‘s Australian federal election.

About the author Danny Katz is a newspaper columnist for The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald, and is famous for his larger-than-life characters.
About the illustrator Mitch Vane has illustrated many children's books, including the Little Lunch series, A Little Election and The Patch. She hates to draw straight lines!

Mitch & Danny will be at the Books Illustrated stand on Saturday October 19 (2 to 4pm) as part of the children’s program for the Melbourne Festival.

One Word One Day auction, ABC Southbank Melbourne

Not long now until the One Word One Day auction! Join us on Wednesday September 4th 2013 6:00pm to 8:30pm, ABC Southbank Melbourne.

About One Word, One Day
Around Australia, the ASA brought illustrators together to create pictures, and work and play. Each gathering was supplied with a delicious array of art materials, and invited to explore a surprise theme word visually.

The finished artworks will be auctioned to raise funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. The auction will take place on Wednesday 4 September, Indigenous Literacy Day. 

One Word One Day is organised by the Australian Society of Authors in conjunction with the Micador Group and the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. The ASA would like to acknowledge the support of ABC Local Radio in this project.

There are so many beautiful illustrations to choose from. Visit the ASA website to view all illustrations being auctioned.