Prime Minister’s Literary Award winning author Libby Gleeson will present a one-day course in Blackheath on May 20.
With more than 30 published books for children and teens, Gleeson is one of the most distinguished Australian authors of children’s books and has achieved international recognition.
Her teen fiction includes Eleanor, Elizabeth, Love Me Not, Refuge and Red (which won the Prime Minister’s Literary Award). Libby’s picture books include Big Dog, Where’s Mum? and The Princess and the Perfect Dish.
Gleeson has been shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards many times; she won the Book of the Year for Younger Readers Award in 1997 with Hannah and the Tomorrow Room, and Picture Book of the Year in 2002 for An Ordinary Day. The Great Bear (with Armin Greder) won the 2000 Bologna Ragazzi Award. Her picture books illustrated by Freya Blackwood have been especially successful. Her newest picture book Clare’s Goodbye is the poignant and tender story of a little girl dealing with moving out of the family home.
The event will be held from 10am to 4pm on Saturday May 20. Gleeson will be joined on the day by Margaret Hamilton, who has been an award-winning children’s publisher for many years. Hamilton now runs Pinerolo, the Children’s Book Cottage on Shipley Road at Blackheath where she promotes picture books and their creators.
Margaret Hamilton’s first picture book B is For Bedtime, illustrated by Anna Pignataro, was chosen as a CBCA Notable Book followed by her second, Counting Through the Day. Both were bestsellers in the USA and rights for the counting book have been sold to China.
Hamilton and Gleeson will take participants through the entire process of producing a picture book. This is an invaluable opportunity for aspiring writers or illustrators to learn from two of the most experienced Australians in the field. All ages and levels of experience are welcome.
The cost is $160 and includes tea/coffee. BYO lunch for a picnic (weather permitting). To book phone Margaret Hamilton on 47878492 or email to hamiltonbooks@iprimus.com.au.