Hello everyone!

I feel as if I’ve been all over Australia since I last wrote. I haven’t. It’s only been Sydney for the Read Aloud Summit, see below; Melbourne for a teachers’ seminar with Scholastic, whom I adore working for; and Newcastle, for the annual convention of the VIEW organisation which was terrific - all women, 900 of them from all over Australia, mostly retired and doing good and true things for the disadvantaged in their respective communities. I spoke at the convention dinner and needless to say I was wearing my best clothes, but in comparison with the VIEW ladies I was spectacualrly under-dressed. It made me nervous. I am rarely nervous. I stuck very closely to my prepared speech (I think I even clung to it!) whereas usually I diverge and extemporise in a light- hearted manner.

For Australian children aged from birth to four
The world and I could argue forever about what’s left off this list. Hundreds of other great books exist. These fail-safe, tried-and-true suggestions are merely for parents who need a little guidance before they bravely choose books on their own.

I Went Walking by Sue […]