I’m thrilled to be hosting a special event at Floriade at 10am on Sunday 6 October - featuring FLORA: Australia’s Most Curious Plants. There will be a book reading/chat - and I’ll be asking kids lots of questions to test their botanical knowledge! There’ll also be activity sheets, some dried flowers, leaves and pods to pick apart and explore, and I’ll guide kids through a series of wildflower drawings. Click the poster above for more.
Save the date! I'm delighted to be hosting a FLORA launch at the National Library on the morning of Sunday 22 September.
There will be a book reading and signing, a lucky door prize that includes a limited edition FLORA print, some fabulous FLORA activities, including making your own wildflowers, and your very own wildflower seed packets!
Click the poster above to reserve your spot! And stay tuned for more on a Floriade event on Sunday 6 October.
Thanks, Bookstagang on Instagram!
Click the poster above for more info and to RSVP!
The A Kids’ Year series has been translated into Simplified Chinese. Click here to see a video of the books.
ACT Chief Minister's Reading Challenge school visits, 2023
Dorrie event at State Library of New South Wales - 21 April 2023. More...
Dorrie cover reveal! Click book cover for more.
Plume Festival Seeker Book Signing for Love Your Bookshop Day
Saturday 8 October 2022
If you live in Canberra, I'll be at Harry Hartog Bookstore in Woden Plaza on Saturday 8 October, around 11am, signing my newest Plume book. If you can't make it, do pop in to the store sometime for a signed copy!
If you live in Canberra, I'll be at Harry Hartog Bookstore in Woden Plaza on Saturday 8 October, around 11am, signing my newest Plume book. If you can't make it, do pop in to the store sometime for a signed copy!
Cover reveal! Global Nibbler, the second book in the Plume travel series, is out 18 May in Aus/NZ, 24 May in USA/Can and 26 May in the UK (Hardie Grant Explore).
Cover reveal! Mrs Koala's Beauty Parlour is out 2 February 2022, with author Catherine Jinks, published by Working Title Press.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Online Panel Discussion with Graeme Base
11am, Wednesday 27 October 2021
...more info...
Blogger in Residence
WestWords Clubhouse
Online until 4 November 2021
westwords.com.au/clubhouse
Storytime with Tania McCartney
State Library New South Wales ONLINE
10am, Monday 13 September 2021
...more info...
In the Picture: Children’s Book Illustrations Exhibition
16 September 2021 - 30 January 2022
Norman Lindsay Gallery, Faulconbridge in the Blue Mountains, NSW
...more info...
Delighted to reveal the cover of Plume: World Explorer - the first in my new picture book travel series with Hardie Grant Explore. Click the cover for more.
Mamie is the star of Libraries ACT's latest, brilliant Story Walk initiative! Running from 1 to 9 May at the National Arboretum Canberra. And on Saturday 8 May at 10am, I will be taking kids along the walk, followed by a full Mamie book reading and signing.
Head to these links for more info, and I hope to see you there!
MAMIE STORY WALK
Click here for more information.
MAMIE BOOK READING + SIGNING
Click here for more information. 
I Heart the World has been shortlisted in the NSW Premier's Literary Awards for 2021! for the Patricia Wrightson prize for children's literature!
I Heart the World
has been released into the UK and the US, above centre, with the original Mama Bear Aus version at
left, and the exclusive Kmart version, right. 
Fauna has won the Museums Australasia Multimedia & Publication Design Awards for Children's Books
First collaboration with my friend and amazing author Stephanie Owen Reeder! Out with teh National Library October 2020. Click the cover for more.
A complete joy to illustrate this chapter book - part of the new Aussie Kids series - for Puffin, penned by local gal Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern. Click the cover for more.
I Heart the World has been published in a smaller format - exclusively for Kmart. Click the book to view.
Fauna has been shortlisted in the Educational Publishing Awards Australia. Click the image above to view the shortlist. Winners announced 3 September.
Overjoyed to see Fauna shortlist for the Wilderness Society’s Environmental Award for Children’s Literature. Click image for the entire shortlist.
Keep the kids busy with this free set of paper dolls! Click the dolls to download.
#AustraliaReadsAtHome
I Heart the World
Watch online by clicking the image above
CBCA NSW Lunchtime StoryTime
12pm
Monday 18 May 2020
I will be reading Mamie and Evie and Pog - and will have some special guest dolls! Watch online by clicking through to CBCA NSW Branch Facebook Page.
Harry Hartog Live Storytime
10.30am
Tuesday 19 May 2020
I will be reading Evie and Pog, Mamie and Ivy Bird! and will have some special guest dolls. Register your interest and then watch online by clicking the image above.
National Simultaneous Storytime
11am
Wednesday 27 May 2020
I will be reading Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas! by Lucinda Gifford (Scholastic). Stay tuned for more on where it will be televised. And I may just frock up!!
Fauna has been longlisted in the World Illustration Awards for Children's Books, Australia/New Zealand
Kids' Book Review has a new Instagram feed! Check it out by clicking the image above, and give us a follow!
Check out my Instagram feed for book purchases and reveals - and temptations from my extensive book collection. Click the image above.
Ivy Bird US Edition is here! Out with Blue Dot Kids' Press. Click the cover for more.
Evie and Pog book 3 - Party Perfect - is here! Click the cover to view.
My Australia Map Puzzle is now a bestseller! I'm delighted to announce I have three more puzzles out this winter (2020). Keep an eye on my website.
Speaking of puzzles - do these online puzzles - a cover and internal spread from I Heart the World! And here are some Evie and Pog puzzles.
I've recorded two very special #StayHomeForLove chapters of The Happy Book. Click above image for more.
Fauna has been longlisted in the Australian Book Design Awards for children's non-fiction. See the entire longlist here.
This new Aussie Kids series brings together authors and illustrators from each state and territory in Australia, and it was so much fun to partner with author Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern to illustrate Matilda! Out this August. Click the poster above to see the current books in the series.
Beyond honoured to have Fauna on the cover of the 2020 Hello! from Australia catalogue for Bologna. Click the image above to see the publishers and their books representing this year.
Evie and Pog is Book of the Week at Better Reading Kids! Click the image above to read their review and here to read my Q+A.
Evie and Pog is the header feature on HCP's Facebook and Twitter page.
The first two Evie and Pog books - Take Off! and Puppy Playtime - are out now! Click the covers to view.
I Heart the World - out now! Click the cover to view.
Honoured to see Fauna longlisted for Booktopia's Australian Book of the Year 2019 - in the Children's Non-Fiction category. It rubs shoulders with a truly incredible range of books.
It's so completely lovely to have Ivy Bird sold into North America - our April 2020 with Blue Dot Kids Press, based in San Francisco. Head to Publisher's Weekly for more details.
Thrilled to reveal the cover to my latest book for National Library Publishing - Fauna: Australia's Most Curious Creatures. Out 1 November. Click here for more.
My crochet bird crew for Ivy Bird is here! Click the image for more.
Mamie is live on Story Box Library! Click the image above to see a preview. And under MORE VIDEOS is a peek at my original artwork for the book.
An Aussie Year and A Kiwi Year are coming out in paperback! Out 21 October 2019. See more here.
I'm delighted to have a story - The Helper Monkeys - in the new Funny Bones anthology with Allen and Unwin, out 5 November. All royalties go to War Child. Learn more here.
SCBWI ACT Path to Publication Professional Development Day
9am - 3.30pm
Mamie has been shortlisted in the SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards - thank you so very much to everyone who voted!
My children's book podcast is live! Click the poster above for more info, and to listen.
I'm delighted to be reading Mamie at the May Gibbs' birthday celebrations at Nutcote this month! Hope to see you there.
Join me for a Mamie Window Reveal and book reading in Canberra.
Fauna won the children's division in the ACT Writing and Publishing Awards 2020
AlphaKid is go! Available online and instore. Click the cover for more. Stay tuned for a window display at Little Sprout, Woden
I Heart the World has been published in a smaller format - exclusively for Kmart. Click the book to view.
Fauna has been shortlisted in the Educational Publishing Awards Australia. Click the image above to view the shortlist. Winners announced 3 September.
Keep the kids busy with this free set of paper dolls! Click the dolls to download.
I Heart the World
Watch online by clicking the image above
12pm
Monday 18 May 2020
I will be reading Mamie and Evie and Pog - and will have some special guest dolls! Watch online by clicking through to CBCA NSW Branch Facebook Page.
10.30am
Tuesday 19 May 2020
I will be reading Evie and Pog, Mamie and Ivy Bird! and will have some special guest dolls. Register your interest and then watch online by clicking the image above.
11am
Wednesday 27 May 2020
I will be reading Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas! by Lucinda Gifford (Scholastic). Stay tuned for more on where it will be televised. And I may just frock up!!
I've been fleshing out my YouTube channel these past months - featuring all things books. I take you through my extensive children's book collection, read books for kids, share book content with kids, and also chat about the book creation process for emerging talent. Check it out by clicking the image above, and be sure to like and subscribe!
My Australia Map Puzzle is now a bestseller! I'm delighted to announce I have three more puzzles out this winter (2020). Keep an eye on my website.
Evie and Pog is the header feature on HCP's Facebook and Twitter page.
The first two Evie and Pog books - Take Off! and Puppy Playtime - are out now! Click the covers to view.
Thrilled to reveal the cover to my latest book for National Library Publishing - Fauna: Australia's Most Curious Creatures. Out 1 November. Click here for more.
My crochet bird crew for Ivy Bird is here! Click the image for more.
An Aussie Year and A Kiwi Year are coming out in paperback! Out 21 October 2019. See more here.
Ivy Bird is almost here! Out with Windy Hollow Books this September. Learn more (and see a sneak peek) here.
Australian Reading Hour Event
6.30pm
Thursday 19 September 2019
Book Face Gungahlin
I will be on a panel discussing real life and experiential writing influences
9am - 3.30pm
Saturday 27 October 2019
ALIA House, 9 - 11 Napier Street, Deakin, Canberra
Speakers include Big Sky publisher Diane Evans, authors Cate Whittle and Susan Gervay, and first time authors Catherine Meatheringham, Krys Saclier and Mitch Frost. Diane will be offering a limited number of manuscript critiques and I will be conducting a number of illustration portfolio critiques.
I'm delighted to be reading Mamie at the May Gibbs' birthday celebrations at Nutcote this month! Hope to see you there.
Join me for a Mamie Window Reveal and book reading in Canberra.
I hope you can join me to launch Mamie in Adelaide!
My poster for the SCBWI Australia East/NZ Conference Illustrator Showcase, 2019. Keep an eye on the SCBWI blog for the conference program--dates are 24 - 26 Feb in Sydney. I cannot wait to see the illustration portfolios next year!
After the success of A Bear a Day, and much thought (and planning!), I'm hosting another original artwork auction on Instagram! Just head to A Fleur a Day. Starts September.
My labour of love--a picture book on the life of the illustrious May Gibbs--is out this November! Absolutely thrilled to reveal the cover. Learn more about the book by clicking the cover.
Yonks and yonks ago, I entered a call-out from one of my favourite
magazines--Flow. It was for illustrations for their 365-day tear-off
calendar. You can check out the calendar yourself right here. It's available in Dutch and also German.
It's finally here! The new edition of Australia Illustrated. Click the book to learn more. Available October.
Very exciting to have a new set of cards out with Nuovo Group. You should be able to find them Australia-wide in bookstores and giftshops, and if not, just ask them to get some in!
Explore time through the marvelously magical and magnificent world of maps with children’s author/illustrator, Tania McCartney. Tania is positively, absolutely mad about maps, but then, who isn’t? See EVENTS for more.
My latest card range with Nuovo Group is out--featuring my bears from A Bear a Day. They're available in stores Australia-wide. Beary cute!
Merry Everything is a CBCA Notable Book for 2018! Jess Racklyeft, Windy Hollow Books and I are absolutely delighted.
The most adorable trailer EVER! Thanks, Jess Racklyeft! (Original music by Jess's husband and kids--too adorable)
Absolutely over the moon to have scored a place in the Flow magazine 365-day calendar for 2019, with an illustration of a girl on a bicycle. Pinching myself all over! Such an honour.
It's a bear. A day. For 90 Days. Original watercolour illustrations for auction on Instagram--Jan to Mar 2018. See more here.
Australia Illustrated has been shortlisted in the Children's Book category of the ACT Writing and Publishing Awards.
Merry Everything Christmas window is being installed at Harry Hartog Woden Bookstore soon! Come along for the grand reveal on Monday 13 November at 9am. See EVENTS for more.
Merry Everything is almost set to launch! See EVENTS for the launch poster--Saturday 30 September at 10.30, at The Little Bookroom in Carlton, Melbourne. FREE! RSVP essential.
A longtime May Gibbs aficionado, it's a true honour to receive a May Gibbs Fellowship to Adelaide in 2018. Huge thanks to the May Gibbs Children's Literature Trust!
Thrilled to announce I've opened at Etsy store! I'm currently selling giclée and laser prints of some of my picture book artwork, and other illustrations. There's also some of my books and my Australia map in there. Click the bubble above to see what I currently have for sale.
To celebrate the release of my very first greeting cards, I'm having a giveaway! Ends 3 September. Click the image above for more.
Having trouble finding gorgeous cards for boys that don't involve a boat, train, car, teddy bear or soccer ball? Look out for my first set of cards with Nuovo Group (available Australia-wide) featuring characters from Australia Illustrated!
My first Christmas book, with Jess Racklyeft! Out this October with Windy Hollow Books.
This dream project--a map for Hardie Grant Travel, is available this December, just in time for Christmas. Click on the image above to learn more and, keep an eye on the blog for details on where you can find it (at bookstores and online).
Smile Cry wins the 2017 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award for the Australia/New Zealand region!
Smile Cry is a finalist in the SCBWI Crystal Kite
Awards for 2017.
The next two books in the A Kids' Year series are out this June 2017! The books will be released in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and the US. Click the covers for more info.
This is Captain Cook is heading to Bologna in the Hello! from Australia catalogue.
I have been awarded the Laurie Copping Award for Distinguished Service to Children's Literature (CBCA ACT). A wonderful honour.
Delighted to reveal the cover for This is Banjo Paterson, a follow-up to This is Captain Cook (National Library Publishing). Out February 2017! Click the cover for more. A book launch will take place at the Library on Sunday 12 February at 11am. Click here for more.
The National Library of China has published This is Captain Cook in simplified Chinese. What a joy to see the chickens clucking in another language!
Australian Story: An Illustrated Timeline (National Library Publishing), has been revised and updated to include 2016. Click the cover for more.
This is Captain Cook has been shortlisted in the ACT Writing and Publishing Awards, 2016!
The inaugural Goulburn Reader Writer Festival's theme is MAGIC and runs
over two days - Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 November. I'll be part of a
panel with George Ivanoff and Danielle McDonald, where we'll be discussing the magic of reading to children. I'll also be reading some of my books just before the panel. Click here for more.
I am delighted to reveal the cover for my very first self-illustrated book, Australia Illustrated, which will be released in Australia on 1 November 2016. Stay tuned for a Virtual Launch on my blog - 24 to 31 October, and click the book for more info!
Beijing Tai Tai has been translated in to Chinese! So surreal to see the text in simplified Chinese, and some very interesting cover design and internal imagery!
Australian Kids Through the Years is now in paperback! Some delicious author copies arrived, emblazoned with that lovely silver button--CBCA Notable Book. The hardcover is currently sold out but the paperback is available at the National Library Bookshop online store.
Advance copies of A New York Year and A Texas Year have just arrived! Out August 2016, you can pre-order your copies right here.
Delighted to be a longlistee in the CBCA 2016 Book of the year Awards, alongside Andy Joyner! Australian Kids Through the Years has been nominated in the Eve Pownell category for information books.
Peas in a Pod now in paperback and e-book!
Click the poster for more details!
An Aussie Year has been shortlisted in the picture book category for the WA Young Readers' Book Award for 2016! Knowing the nominations came from kids is just so so special.
Absolutely delighted to reveal the cover of my next book--a collaboration with my friend and illustrator talent, Jess Racklyeft. The book is out in March in NZ, UK, US and Canada, and in April in Australia. Click the cover/s for more!
Ambassador, Chief Minister's Reading Challenge
Being a long-time supporter of juvenile literacy, I'm proud to become an Ambassador for the Chief Minister's Reading Challenge in the ACT this year. You can learn more about the initiative here, with the new ambassadors being announced soon.
Delighted to have Tottie and Dot come runner-up in the ACT Writing and Publishing Awards at the ACT Writers Centre. So happy for our colourful little girls! Thank you, ACT Writers Centre, from Tina Snerling and me!
Flying Creator is almost half price for the entire month of December! Click the above poster for more.
Such a lovely moment to have my son bring home the latest Scholastic Teacher's Bookshelf from school, and see Australian Kids Through the Years on the cover!
Andy Joyner and I are so happy to have had Australian Kids Through the Years chosen as the Australian Bookseller Association's inspiration for their 2016/2017 Kids' Reading Guide! It's such a cool guide and hopes to inspire kids to read, read read--always a good thing. You can see the Guide's Facebook page here and their website is here.
I'm having a (rare!) book stall at the glorious Brindabella Business Park on Thursday 24 September between 11am and 2pm, and will have all of my newest releases available, including the yet-to-be-released (October) Australian Kids Through the Years and the elusive An English Year and A Scottish Year, which have been printed for the UK market. See here for more details!
I'm so utterly excited to have a story in Ford Street's new Rich and Rare anthology of stories and poetry and artwork by some of Australia's leading talent. Out November, and already receiving a 5 star review from Bookseller and Publisher, contributors include Shaun Tan, Leigh Hobbs, James Roy, Justin D'Ath, Kirsty Murray, Simon Higgins, Gary Crew, Scot Gardner, Michael Gerard Bauer, Gabrielle Wang and many more.
Oh--and there's also some pretty spectacular cover artwork by Shaun Tan.
The book will be launched by Isobel Carmody on Friday 23 October in Melbourne--watch the Ford Street Publishing website for details.
Tina and I are delighted to reveal the covers to books 2 and 3 in the A Kids' Year series, which is now going international! A Scottish Year and An English Year will be released in the UK (with a small run in Australia) this September--and next year we'll be releasing two more titles (but the destinations are hush hush!).
Read all about them here!
Peas in a Pod was launched in Singapore on 3 June, during the Asian Festival of Children's Content. Check out the launch on my blog, right here.
I'm thrilled to announce that Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo has been
chosen by the ACT Government as the official gift for Princess
Charlotte, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, born in May
this year!
Sunday 19 April 2015
This is Captain Cook Book Launch
National Library of Australia, Canberra
...reserve a place...
This weekend, I'll be in Perth for the 52-Week Illustration Challenge Exhibition, run by the amazing Arts Brookfield, in a public space at Brookfield Place. Nicky Johnston and I have spent the past few months collating and curating one image from each week of 2014, to showcase in this amazing exhibition.You can see the shortlistees for each week of 2014 on the Challenge blog right here, but winners won't be revealed until Monday 9 March.
On the evening of 9 March, we'll host our grand opening event, and you're invited! If you can make it, RSVP to rsvp@pSquared.net.au. We hope to see you there! Follow #artsbrookfield #52weekexhibit for social media updates over the weekend.
I'm delighted to reveal the cover of my latest book with dear friend Christina Booth, for the National Library of Australia. I'm also thrilled to reveal that the book has already sold out and is in its second print run, even before publication! If you live in Canberra, you'll be able to snaffle a copy from the National Library Bookshop from 1 February, and the book will be all over Australia from 1 March 2015. Learn more about the book here!
Some happy news to share--An Aussie Year has won the ACT Writers Centre Writing and Publishing Awards for children's book!
I was absolutely thrilled to learn I've received a Highly Commended nod for illustrations for my picture book When I Was Little. This is for the Australian Society of Authors' Emerging Illustrator Mentorships and in fact, I was the only person to receive an award for picture book illustration.
Illustrating my own picture books has been a lifelong dream. It's all quite surreal--and means the world to me because it's confirmation I'm heading in the right direction.
Thank you, ASA!
Tottie and Dot was reviewed in the September issue of Disney magazine. Hurrah! What a special thing.
Book of the Month in Girl Power magazine? You betcha! What a fabulous surprise!
I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that my 52-Week Illustration Challenge has been invited to exhibit in Perth in March 2015. Arts Brookfield, one of the largest public exhibitors of art in the world, will be hosting us from 9 to 22 March. Learn more here!
Canberrans! Don't miss my Book Marketing and Author Promotion Workshop for both authors and illustrators. More info below. I also have a Self-Publishing a Picture Book Workshop coming up (also at the ACT Writers' Centre) on 22 November).
Saturday 18 October 2014
10am - 4pm
ACT Writers' Centre, Canberra
...more info...
The Canberra launch of Tottie and Dot was so much fun! You can read more about it right here.
So very excited to receive advance copies of Tottie and Dot! The book
looks beautiful and his due out September 2014. See more on the book
right here.
Blogging for Authors and Illustrators Workshop, for the Australian Society of Authors
I'm off to Sydney for the SCBWI in July and will also be running my ASA workshop at the ASA offices in Ultimo. Hope you can come along and learn the importance of blogging for creatives.
Saturday 12 July 2014
10am - 4pm
ASA Offices, Ultimo, Sydney
...more info...
An Aussie Year has officially become a bestseller! Who would have thought this humble little idea, that took so much time, passion and energy to produce, could do so well. Tina and I are delighted.
I'm just so thrilled to announce that Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo has been awarded Equal Second Placing for Outstanding Picture Book in the University of Canberra's Get Real Canberra awards today. What a joy it was to see my work alongside the talented students who creating some super-stunning picture book creations. So very exciting! Read all about it.
Blogging for Authors and Illustrators Workshop, for the ASA
My first workshop for the year is coming up soon. I hope you can join me to learn more about the importance of blogging for creatives.
Saturday 22 March 2014
10am - 4pm
ACT Writers' Centre, Canberra
...more info...
In 2014, I promised myself I would revisit my love of art, and I've been studying various techniques since starting the 52-Week Illustration Challenge. I'm in heaven--how I've missed painting and drawing. You can see what I've been up to by visiting my Pinterest page--just click on the logo above.
One thing I love to do is extend a helping hand to new writers, self-publishers and other industry folk--whether it be via a book review or even some advice on all I've learned in over 25 years of professional writing, editing and publishing. Click the logo for more.
Most people know me as an author, a writer, a word-lover. But I have a deep dark secret--I also love to draw. I actually
harbour a secret dream of one day {perhaps!} illustrating my
own book. And so, I have set myself this challenge for 2014. Won't you join me? Read more ...
So touched to have my blog archived by the National Library of Australia this month. What a gorgeous early Christmas gift. Click on the Pandora to view.
SCWBI Sydney Conference, July 2014
A joy to be on my first SCBWI panel at the Sydney conference in July 2014. More info.
CBCA Canberra Conference, May 2014
VERY excited to be a presenter for the CBCA Conference here in Canberra next year. The program is now out--see it right here.
It's Almost Holidays
I've had a rather hectic five months of book promo (four books out in three months tends to do that to you!) and I can hardly believe this week heralds my final commitments for the year - hurrah! I can already feel myself entering wind-down mode, not to mention the lead-up to the glorious Festive Season.
During my self-enforced holiday period, I'm going to be--quite simply--reconnecting with life and writing/book-producing. In December and January, I'll be in full book-production mode, and when that's finished, I'll be embarking straight into another book. I can't wait to show you these books--some of which will be released in 2014.
Also, from early February, we'll be launching our fourth Unpublished Manuscript Award over on Kids' Book Review, which is going to be extremely full-on, most especially because we are opening up an international segment.
Want to win a copy of Eco Warriors? Head to the Web Child website for this national giveaway.
Kids! Love to colour in? Here is your chance to win a fabulous An Aussie Year book pack, or a copy of the book. Just head to Kids' Book Review for your chance to win. Hurry--ends 21 November.
Hope to see you at this very special afternoon event!
Like to write? Aged 12 or under? Want to win a gorgeous An Aussie Year book pack, including a signed book, paper dolls and doll magnets, and the chance to have your work published on Kids' Book Review!? Just click the poster above for details!
Join Ned, Lily, Zoe, Kirra and Matilda on virtual tour for a full month! 21 October to 21 November, we will be dashing around the webosphere with a stack of reviews, guest posts, sneak peeks and heaps of glorious prizes including some publishing opportunities!
Let's
celebrate our Aussie Childhood! Come along to Black Cat Books in
Paddington in Brisbane for a book launch party extraordinaire. There
will be goodie bags, a lolly bar (sorry, parents), a book signing and
reading, and lots of fun activities!
Don't miss this very special book launch at Canberra's National Arboretum. Kids can enjoy some green activities, goodie bags, a seed planting, book reading and signing. Numbers limited; RSVP early!
Join me on tour with Caroline! 30 Sept to 2 October, with guest posts, reviews and author interviews!
Join me--and my little eco warriors--on tour!
A WONDERFUL interview with the vibrant Melanie Tait this morning on 666 ABC Radio about Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo, and my other books. Click the logo above to listen.
The Reading Hour is almost upon us! On Saturday 24 August, between the hours of 5 and 6pm, gather up a delicious stack of books, and read to a child. Find out what Tania is up to here. You could win some books, thanks to Kids' Book Review and Random House!
Finally, Tania's collaboration with friend and talented illustrator Tina Snerling is here--An Aussie Year: Twelve Months in the Life of Australian Kids. An Aussie Year will launch Exisle Publishing's brand new children's imprint, EK Publishing, this October. Read all about it in Books + Publishing magazine. Read about her inspiration for the book right here.
CYA Conference Competition
Tania's junior fiction novel, Ella McZoo, Animal Whisperer, won second place in the Published Author category at the fabulous CYA Conference this July.
Tania's first historical fiction novel for New Frontier Publishing - Caroline Chisholm: The Emigrant's Friend
- is out this October! Learn more here.
Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo - is out this August! It's the best Riley adventure yet, and just in time for Canberra's glorious Centenary.
Delighted to showcase my next picture book for the National Library of Australia, out this August 2013. Learn more here.
Riley will soon be going on holiday - and I'll be gathering some fabulous new material along the way for some future books! Make sure you check out www.rileyaviator.com for updates. Don't forget, Jumpy Roo: A journey around Canberra is well into production, due out Sept 2013 with Ford Street Publishing. Have a glorious Christmas, everyone!
So so thrilled to learn Beijing Tai Tai will be published in China! So wish I could read Chinese characters so I can see how it translates!
In celebration of the print copy launch of Tickle the Imagination magazine, created by the amazing Tanya Collier, I am offering signed copies of handmade living, at half price! Get your copy now!
I'm very excited to announce that Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo - book five in the Riley the Little Aviator series - will be available at the Floriade shop next September! It will also be found at the ACT Visitors' Centre. It's also very likely the book will be launched at Floriade! so stay tuned. Any excuse to see this amazing annual floral festival. Can you come along?
ACT chief minister's reading challenge 2012.
Absolutely thrilled to have all four of my Riley books on the ACT Chief Minister's 2012 Reading Challenge list!
new look site.
boundless festival.
I'm thrilled to be the official blogger for the Boundless Festival here in Canberra, up until 17 November. Learn more by clicking the logo below - and be sure to check out my tweets #boundlesskids.
scan me.
national year of reading.
I am proud to be a State Ambassador for the National Year of Reading.
After the success of A Bear a Day, and much thought (and planning!), I'm hosting another original artwork auction on Instagram! Just head to A Fleur a Day. Starts September.
My labour of love--a picture book on the life of the illustrious May Gibbs--is out this November! Absolutely thrilled to reveal the cover. Learn more about the book by clicking the cover.
It's finally here! The new edition of Australia Illustrated. Click the book to learn more. Available October.
Very exciting to have a new set of cards out with Nuovo Group. You should be able to find them Australia-wide in bookstores and giftshops, and if not, just ask them to get some in!
Delighted to show the cover to my upcoming book with the amazing Christina Booth--The Gum Family Finds Home! Out August 2018. More here.
Explore time through the marvelously magical and magnificent world of maps with children’s author/illustrator, Tania McCartney. Tania is positively, absolutely mad about maps, but then, who isn’t? See EVENTS for more.
Merry Everything is a CBCA Notable Book for 2018! Jess Racklyeft, Windy Hollow Books and I are absolutely delighted.
The most adorable trailer EVER! Thanks, Jess Racklyeft! (Original music by Jess's husband and kids--too adorable)
See Hear is almost here!
Nuovo Group are publishing over 60 bears I've
created for my A Bear a Day auction, as greeting cards. They will be available Australia-wide
at newsagents, bookstores and other card stockists, from mid-Feb 2018.
Merry Everything Christmas window is being installed at Harry Hartog Woden Bookstore soon! Come along for the grand reveal on Monday 13 November at 9am. See EVENTS for more.
Merry Everything is almost set to launch! See EVENTS for the launch poster--Saturday 30 September at 10.30, at The Little Bookroom in Carlton, Melbourne. FREE! RSVP essential.
Thrilled to announce I've opened at Etsy store! I'm currently selling giclée and laser prints of some of my picture book artwork, and other illustrations. There's also some of my books and my Australia map in there. Click the bubble above to see what I currently have for sale.
To celebrate the release of my very first greeting cards, I'm having a giveaway! Ends 3 September. Click the image above for more.
My first Christmas book, with Jess Racklyeft! Out this October with Windy Hollow Books.
Australia Illustrated has been shortlisted in the Speech Pathology Australia Awards, in the 5 - 8 years category.
This dream project--a map for Hardie Grant Travel, is available this December, just in time for Christmas. Click on the image above to learn more and, keep an eye on the blog for details on where you can find it (at bookstores and online).Smile Cry wins the 2017 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award for the Australia/New Zealand region!
The next two books in the A Kids' Year series are out this June 2017! The books will be released in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and the US. Click the covers for more info. 
This is Captain Cook is heading to Bologna in the Hello! from Australia catalogue.
Smile Cry is a Notable Book (longlisted) in the 2017 CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Early Childhood. Such happy-making news!
Smile Cry is being released in paperback! Out March 2017, you can pre-order a copy right here. And stay tuned for our Smile Cry sequel, in production.
The National Library of China has published This is Captain Cook in simplified Chinese. What a joy to see the chickens clucking in another language!
This is Captain Cook has been shortlisted in the ACT Writing and Publishing Awards, 2016!
Beijing Tai Tai has been translated in to Chinese! So surreal to see the text in simplified Chinese, and some very interesting cover design and internal imagery!
This is Captain Cook has been shortlisted in the children's category of the Museums Australasia Multimedia & Publication Design Awards!
Peas in a Pod now in paperback and e-book!
Absolutely delighted to reveal the cover of my next book--a collaboration with my friend and illustrator talent, Jess Racklyeft. The book is out in March in NZ, UK, US and Canada, and in April in Australia. Click the cover/s for more!
Ambassador, Chief Minister's Reading Challenge
Being a long-time supporter of juvenile literacy, I'm proud to become an Ambassador for the Chief Minister's Reading Challenge in the ACT this year. You can learn more about the initiative here, with the new ambassadors being announced soon.
Delighted to have Tottie and Dot come runner-up in the ACT Writing and Publishing Awards at the ACT Writers Centre. So happy for our colourful little girls! Thank you, ACT Writers Centre, from Tina Snerling and me!
Flying Creator is almost half price for the entire month of December! Click the above poster for more.
Such a lovely moment to have my son bring home the latest Scholastic Teacher's Bookshelf from school, and see Australian Kids Through the Years on the cover!
Andy Joyner and I are so happy to have had Australian Kids Through the Years chosen as the Australian Bookseller Association's inspiration for their 2016/2017 Kids' Reading Guide! It's such a cool guide and hopes to inspire kids to read, read read--always a good thing. You can see the Guide's Facebook page here and their website is here.
I'm having a (rare!) book stall at the glorious Brindabella Business Park on Thursday 24 September between 11am and 2pm, and will have all of my newest releases available, including the yet-to-be-released (October) Australian Kids Through the Years and the elusive An English Year and A Scottish Year, which have been printed for the UK market. See here for more details!
I'm so utterly excited to have a story in Ford Street's new Rich and Rare anthology of stories and poetry and artwork by some of Australia's leading talent. Out November, and already receiving a 5 star review from Bookseller and Publisher, contributors include Shaun Tan, Leigh Hobbs, James Roy, Justin D'Ath, Kirsty Murray, Simon Higgins, Gary Crew, Scot Gardner, Michael Gerard Bauer, Gabrielle Wang and many more.
Oh--and there's also some pretty spectacular cover artwork by Shaun Tan.
The book will be launched by Isobel Carmody on Friday 23 October in Melbourne--watch the Ford Street Publishing website for details.
Tina and I are delighted to reveal the covers to books 2 and 3 in the A Kids' Year series, which is now going international! A Scottish Year and An English Year will be released in the UK (with a small run in Australia) this September--and next year we'll be releasing two more titles (but the destinations are hush hush!).
Read all about them here!
Peas in a Pod
Delighted to share the cover for my newest book with Tina Snerling! So very exciting. Learn more about it here or see the website where you can pre-order your copy. The book will be launching at the Asian Festival of Children's Content in Singapore this June. Watch EVENTS for more details.
This is Captain Cook Book Launch
National Library of Australia, Canberra
...reserve a place...
On the evening of 9 March, we'll host our grand opening event, and you're invited! If you can make it, RSVP to rsvp@pSquared.net.au. We hope to see you there! Follow #artsbrookfield #52weekexhibit for social media updates over the weekend.
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| with my beautiful Ella |
Some happy news to share--An Aussie Year has won the ACT Writers Centre Writing and Publishing Awards for children's book!
I was absolutely thrilled to learn I've received a Highly Commended nod for illustrations for my picture book When I Was Little. This is for the Australian Society of Authors' Emerging Illustrator Mentorships and in fact, I was the only person to receive an award for picture book illustration.
Illustrating my own picture books has been a lifelong dream. It's all quite surreal--and means the world to me because it's confirmation I'm heading in the right direction.
Thank you, ASA!
A DOWNLOADABLE PDF TO DO AT YOUR LEISURE
Oh how I wish this had been around when I was starting out.
Tania McCartney is the real deal — she knows her stuff inside out.
And what’s more, she shares her knowledge with grace, wit and
unwavering enthusiasm. The Fantastical Flying Creator is a gift.
Grab it! I cannot recommend it more highly.
- author Jen Storer
Click the poster above for more!
I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that my 52-Week Illustration Challenge has been invited to exhibit in Perth in March 2015. Arts Brookfield, one of the largest public exhibitors of art in the world, will be hosting us from 9 to 22 March. Learn more here!
Canberrans! Don't miss my Book Marketing and Author Promotion Workshop for both authors and illustrators. More info below. I also have a Self-Publishing a Picture Book Workshop coming up (also at the ACT Writers' Centre) on 22 November).
Saturday 18 October 2014
10am - 4pm
ACT Writers' Centre, Canberra
...more info...
The Canberra launch of Tottie and Dot was so much fun! You can read more about it right here.
Blogging for Authors and Illustrators Workshop, for the Australian Society of Authors
I'm off to Sydney for the SCBWI in July and will also be running my ASA workshop at the ASA offices in Ultimo. Hope you can come along and learn the importance of blogging for creatives.
Saturday 12 July 2014
10am - 4pm
ASA Offices, Ultimo, Sydney
...more info...
An Aussie Year has officially become a bestseller! Who would have thought this humble little idea, that took so much time, passion and energy to produce, could do so well. Tina and I are delighted.
Blogging for Authors and Illustrators Workshop, for the ASA
My first workshop for the year is coming up soon. I hope you can join me to learn more about the importance of blogging for creatives.
Saturday 22 March 2014
10am - 4pm
ACT Writers' Centre, Canberra
...more info...
In 2014, I promised myself I would revisit my love of art, and I've been studying various techniques since starting the 52-Week Illustration Challenge. I'm in heaven--how I've missed painting and drawing. You can see what I've been up to by visiting my Pinterest page--just click on the logo above.
SCWBI Sydney Conference, July 2014
A joy to be on my first SCBWI panel at the Sydney conference in July 2014. More info.
CBCA Canberra Conference, May 2014
VERY excited to be a presenter for the CBCA Conference here in Canberra next year. The program is now out--see it right here.
It's Almost Holidays
I've had a rather hectic five months of book promo (four books out in three months tends to do that to you!) and I can hardly believe this week heralds my final commitments for the year - hurrah! I can already feel myself entering wind-down mode, not to mention the lead-up to the glorious Festive Season.
During my self-enforced holiday period, I'm going to be--quite simply--reconnecting with life and writing/book-producing. In December and January, I'll be in full book-production mode, and when that's finished, I'll be embarking straight into another book. I can't wait to show you these books--some of which will be released in 2014.
Also, from early February, we'll be launching our fourth Unpublished Manuscript Award over on Kids' Book Review, which is going to be extremely full-on, most especially because we are opening up an international segment.
Kids! Love to colour in? Here is your chance to win a fabulous An Aussie Year book pack, or a copy of the book. Just head to Kids' Book Review for your chance to win. Hurry--ends 21 November.
Join Ned, Lily, Zoe, Kirra and Matilda on virtual tour for a full month! 21 October to 21 November, we will be dashing around the webosphere with a stack of reviews, guest posts, sneak peeks and heaps of glorious prizes including some publishing opportunities!
Let's
celebrate our Aussie Childhood! Come along to Paperchain in Manuka,
Canberra, for a book launch party extraordinaire. There
will be balloons, a lolly bar (sorry, parents), a book signing and
reading, and lots of fun activities! Numbers limited so do RSVP early.
Don't miss this very special book launch at Canberra's National Arboretum. Kids can enjoy some green activities, goodie bags, a seed planting, book reading and signing. Numbers limited; RSVP early!
Join me--and my little eco warriors--on tour!
A WONDERFUL interview with the vibrant Melanie Tait this morning on 666 ABC Radio about Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo, and my other books. Click the logo above to listen.
Finally, Tania's collaboration with friend and talented illustrator Tina Snerling is here--An Aussie Year: Twelve Months in the Life of Australian Kids. An Aussie Year will launch Exisle Publishing's brand new children's imprint, EK Publishing, this October. Read all about it in Books + Publishing magazine. Read about her inspiration for the book right here.
CYA Conference Competition
Tania's junior fiction novel, Ella McZoo, Animal Whisperer, won second place in the Published Author category at the fabulous CYA Conference this July.
Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo - is out this August! It's the best Riley adventure yet, and just in time for Canberra's glorious Centenary.
Delighted to showcase my next picture book for the National Library of Australia, out this August 2013. Learn more here.
Absolutely thrilled to have all four of my Riley books on the ACT Chief Minister's 2012 Reading Challenge list!
new look site.
I've changed up my website! and my blog, too. What do you think of the new look?
boundless festival.
I'm thrilled to be the official blogger for the Boundless Festival here in Canberra, up until 17 November. Learn more by clicking the logo below - and be sure to check out my tweets #boundlesskids.
instagram.
I'm now on Instagram! {and have quite the obsession}. Come follow me!
{@taniamccartney}
scan me.
I'm a barcode! This cool new scanme.com feature makes accessing contact details a breeze. Just download the scan me app to your iPhone and scan me. I hope I can scan you, too.
I am proud to be a State Ambassador for the National Year of Reading.
