Overview

Join us for stories, art workshops and loads of fun at East Maitland Library!

Meet some amazing authors and illustrators from the Children’s Book Council of Australia, (Newcastle Sub-branch).

Be inspired by this year’s Book Week shortlisted illustrator, Dub Leffler, as you watch him at work.

Great for children and families, this interactive afternoon has something for everyone!

Bookings are essential for this free event!

Program

1.00pm                     Introduction to the authors and illustrators.

Art activities.

1.30pm                Featured Illustrator Dub Leffler – award winning author and illustrator.

Try your hand at drawing with Dub.

2.00pm                      Meet our local authors and illustrators.

Presenters: Toni Adams, Nikki Bolton, Jenni Goodman, Lynn Jenkins, Dub Leffler, Kirrili Lonergan, Katrina McKelvey.

3.15pm               The Illustrator Challenge

Cheer along Dub Leffler, Nikki Bolton, Jenni Goodman and Kirrili Lonergan as they illustrate a completely wacky story.

3.35pm                Reach for the Stars Book Launch

The brilliant young authors at Hunter Valley Writers have just published their latest book. Woo hoo! Everyone is invited to join the celebration.

Books will be available for purchase and signing.

Featured Illustrator: Dub Leffler 

Dub Leffler is an illustrator, writer, animator and mixed media artist, working in the arts through books, film, television, muralism and art education.

Dub is a prominent children’s book illustrator and author, collaborating with Sally Morgan, Banksy, Coral Vass and others, and is known for his soft realistic portraits and emotional landscapes. He is descended from the Bigambul and Mandandanji people of southwest Queensland as well as being of French, Syrian and Irish heritage.

His latest picture book, Our Dreaming is shortlisted for the 2023 Children’s Book Council Awards, his award-winning bestseller picture book Once There Was A Boy (2011) received international recognition, was acquired by the Library of Congress and was featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

Dub also illustrated  Sorry Day (2018), written by Coral Vass, which won the 2019 Eve Pownall Award for Information Books from the Children’s Book Council of Australia. Black Cockatoo (2018), which he illustrated, was also an Honour Book that year. At last count, Dub has created 25 books.

Nicola Bolton is a painter, illustrator and children’s book author. She is passionate about capturing the romantic rural Australian landscapes. Nicola lives in Maitland, and she is inspired by the countryside around her.

Jenni Goodman is a children’s book illustrator who uses different mediums to create her artworks including watercolour paints and pencils, as well as digital media. She loves capturing the beauty of nature and expressive characters in her illustrations.

Her books include Storm Boy Board Books, and she feels honoured to help champion koala conservation through the 2020 release of Have You Seen A Tree For Me? Most recently, she has teamed up with her older brother to create the sweet and playful picture book Snuffy.

Lynn Jenkins, is an experienced and practicing clinical psychologist, author and mother of three. Lynn is passionate about early intervention in the social and emotional development of children. Her picture books on the topics of anxiety and worry (Lessons of a LAC and Brave.)

Kirrili Lonergan, is a picture book illustrator, art therapist and book enthusiast. She has a passion for visual storytelling and self-expression through art. She loves sharing her skills with children and relates warmly to their needs through her former years working as a paediatric nurse.

She is the illustrator for the Lessons of a LAC picture book series. She was shortlisted for the Speech Pathology of Australia Awards in 2018 for Ollie’s Treasure and for But I’m NOT Hungry for my Dinner.

Katrina McKelvey is a Newcastle based children’s author and former primary school teacher. She’s written many children’s picture books and educational readers including Mila and Ivy, Isla’s Family Tree, Chasing Rainbows, No Baths Week and Up To Something. Katrina is left-handed, loves tea and mint chocolate.

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