Article In The Canberra Times For Smile Cry

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An article for the Canberra Times (in syndication) today about the importance of emotion and subtlety in storytelling, and never dumbing it down for kids.

Read the article on the Sydney Morning Herald website smh.au/entertainment/books/reading-helping-children-to-explore-and-develop-their-emotions-through-books-20160303-gn35mr.html" target="_blank">here.

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New Picture Books, March 2016

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Oh, the lure of the picture book.

If you're anything like me, it's swoon-time in the kids' section of any store, and herewith my recent purchases that had me breathless. Interesting that since I reconnected with illustration, many of my picks are wordless books (though I've always loved them and already have a huge collection).

Enjoy this feast! I hope the covers alone encourage you to seek them out.

All but the last two books are wordless.

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Sneaks And Peeks

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I have to confess something. I'm a closet sticky-beak. Addicted to biography, I love to know about other people's lives, but not in that gossipy kind of way--rather the way that is steeped in genuine interest. Other people's worlds fascinate me. Perhaps that's why I'm a writer.

One of my biggest dreams is to be able to throw open every door in the neighbourhood and to walk through each and every house, just looking, touching nothing (unless there is a dog or a cat) and then walk out again, gleaning little snippets of meaning of lives lived and the possessions and pictures and decorating styles that make each of us unique. Homes are a rich tapestry of our worlds.

Similarly, books are a rich tapestry of the author's mind. And illustrations the rich tapestry of the illustrator's mind. They are a culmination and perspective honed by life and experience itself.

I LOVE this. Perhaps that's why I'm addicted to words and pictures. They are rich in meaning beyond the surface.

And, being the impatient soul that I am, along with my sticky-beakness, one thing I absolutely love love lovity love... is sneak peeks.

I cannot wait! (eyeing you, Dub Leffler, Jen Storer, Gus Gordon, Katherine Battersby and many, many more people, as they create books I am busting-in-the-face-purple to see). So darned impatient. I want sneak peeks and I want them NOW!

So, in keeping with my rabid desire to see works-in-progress, herewith a little peek for anyone else suffering this chronic complaint of creative impatience. These are some page snippets I've been posting these past few months (mostly on Facebook) of the pages of my first illustrated book (out November).

Things are still a little early so I cannot say more about Le Book just yet, so I will SUFFER in silence. Needless to say, you will all be the first to know more. Hopefully soon! Soooooon!

In the meantime, enjoy this little tiptoe through my mind. (That's a scary thought.)

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Smile Cry In New Idea And Books + Publishing Junior

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So chuffed to see our sweet little book in a big time mag! Thank you, Angela!

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And always honoured to be chosen for review in Books + Publishing's Junior Newsletter and on their website. Thank you, B + P!

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International Children's Book Day Event

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International ChildrenΓÇÖs Book Day is celebrated around the world on Hans Christian AndersenΓÇÖs birthday, April 2.

Join Muse for a Canberra special with beloved local authors Irma Gold and Tania McCartney and recent arrival, illustrator Tony Flowers.

ThereΓÇÖll be readings, on-the-spot drawing and colouring in - all the best things about books to celebrate this special day.

Saturday, 2 April 2016

 3:30pm ΓÇô 4:30pm

TICKETS: $10 per child (includes a glass of wine or soft drink for accompanying grown-up). Head to musecanberra.au/events/2016/3/8/h2lom3alkuqt5jal1cnquy5qz1bg4y" target="_blank">Muse for more info, and to book.

(I will be reading my merk new book, Smile Cry, among other books!)

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One Word Wisdom With Designer Lisa-Marie Kerr

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1. What is the best thing about running your own design company?  
Freedom

2. WhatΓÇÖs the worst thing?  
Uncertainty

3. How did opening Bear and Sparrow make you feel?  
Breathless

4. What do you hope it brings its customers?  
Rapture

5. Who has influenced your business the most? 
Society

6. What has been your biggest career reward? 
Self-Actualisation 

7. What's the most important contribution design can make to the world?  
Stimulation

8. WhatΓÇÖs your biggest career goal?  
Acclaim

9. What else do you like to do?  
Encourage-others

10. WhatΓÇÖs next?  
YouTube

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Lisa-Marie Kerr refers to herself as an ideas pi├▒ata ... even she struggles to keep up with what she describes as the divine inspiration she receives daily. The owner and chief designer for stunning children's homewares website Bear and Sparrow, Lisa-Marie is a woman who craves variety and ... being different, which she uses as her motivation when designing new pieces for Bear and Sparrow. Married with three beautiful children and the most gorgeous dog, Lisa-Marie is an everyday woman working hard to make her mark on the world. Bear and Sparrow is 100% Australian owned, designed and made.

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Learn more about Bear and Sparrow at the bearandsparrow.au/" target="_blank">website. 

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