Check in here to catch a newsflash (scroll down for a couple I’ve kept).
You  may want to send me your own news story about Mariella or reading and books — just send me an email here.

You can also hear the story from the author’s mouth See below for details on where and when.

Author Visits

****

Why not install me in your classroom or group meeting space for a morning or afternoon? …Or the whole day!

If you’d like me to visit your writing or reading group, school or library for:

• a fun reading of Mariella and the Stars
• writing, drawing, movement & music, or drama activities
• a talk about the writing/publishing process
• a writing workshop

please don’t hesitate to contact me. Teaching notes are also available – please just ask.

Visits 2010

Thanks to…

Nowra Library for some brilliant silly walks and sharing your ‘mind pictures’ on 26 May 2010, NSS celebrations

Visits in 2009

Thanks to…

Thirroul Library for a wonderful launch and fun session on 4 November

Abbotsford PS for such a warm welcome and great questions on 25 November

Kangaroo Valley PS for terrific constellation stories (3 to 6) and wonderful listening and shimmying (K-2) on 30 November

***********************************************************

Mariella and the Stars received a grant from the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) in 2009. Check out the November issue of Reading Time (journal of the CBCA) for a feature on the writing and illustration process of the book.

***NEWSFLASH*****************************************************************************
*********************************************************************************************

Children’s author dances up a storm at Nowra Library on 26 May

Passion for reading starts early in the Shoalhaven. On 26 May, a group of local preschoolers braved torrential rain to visit the Nowra Library for National Simultaneous Storytime. After being enthralled by a reading of the fantastic official NSS book, Little White Dogs Can’t Jump by Bruce Whatley (another Illawarra author), the group was treated to a reading and Music Awareness workshop by Kangaroo Valley author Selena Hanet-Hutchins. Selena and Chidren’s Librarian Jessica Green joined the group in shimmying, swaying, creeping, and making up ‘mind pictures’ to music, including jazz from the greats (Ella Fitzgerald; James Morrison; and even The Cluesone Trio). Much fun was had by all as Nowra joined the national celebrations.

By Juan Journaliste

***END NEWSFLASH****************************************************************
*************************************************************************************

If you’d like to post your own Mariella news story, let me know via the Contact page.

***NEWSFLASH***************************************************************
********************************************************************************

Lizard discovers new identity in Thirroul

Mariella’s lizard companion now has a name: Spark. This was chosen by popular vote at the recent reading and launch visit to the Thirroul Library on 4 November 2009. The children (who proved to be very good dancers, listeners, thinkers and questioners at the event) made a shortlist of five names suggested by members of the group. A vote was taken, with two willing helpers recording and adding the tally. The name ‘Spark’ was by far the most popular name, with five votes recorded. When questioned about her inspiration for the winning name, Sasha* said, “I looked at him and he just looked like it would be a good name for him.”

When asked her opinion, the author, Selena Hanet-Hutchins, agreed. “I like the name ‘Spark’. It kinds of goes with ’sparkly’, which makes me think of the stars in the book. It seems to fit,” she said, “I’m really happy with it.”

The launch and reading visit to the brand new Thirroul Library – the library’s first ever author visit – was a huge success and the library hopes to attract more authors in future. For her part, the author hopes to do many more visits to schools and libraries.

By A.N. Author

*Not her real name. To disclose the girl’s name may subject her to fame and celebrity.

***END NEWSFLASH************************************************************
*********************************************************************************