On Children’s Books Daily you’ll find information and tips on choosing children’s books, reading activities for home, school and libary, and other book-related goodness.

In recent posts, Megan shared some recommended reading lists for twelve year olds + and for nine year olds, (noting that books are not JUST for boys — or for girls — but that sometimes there are distinct differences in reading preferences).

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Check out the WA Branch website for all the details and to download an entry form.

The announcement kicks off  Library and Information Week 2013 which runs 20–26 May.

Rogers was the first Australian to win the 1994 Kate Greenaway Medal for his illustration of Way Home by Libby Hathorn. The Hero of Little Street won Picture Book of the Year in the CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2010 and in 2012 it was awarded an Honour Listing by IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People). He has illustrated many, many books in addition to his own works.

He will be greatly missed.

Make sure you also check out the notables, too — these are wonderful books. And last, but not least, don’t forget to check out the Crichton Award for New Illustrators shortlist.

The winners will be announced on 16 August 2013 just prior to Children’s Book Week. This year’s theme is Read Across the Universe!

Join local authors and illustrators and WA IBBY members to discuss your favourite animal character from children’s books (please bring the book along, too.) Share your love of children’s books over a light supper—drinks are available to purchase from the bar.

When: Saturday 6 April, 6.30pm for 7.00pm start
Where: Perth and Tattersalls Bowling Club, 2 Plain Street, Perth (Off-street ticket parking available)
Cost: $40 (including a raffle ticket and light supper) – pay on the day.
RSVP: Jenni Woodroffe on 9367 4759 or email: jennij[at]iinet.net.au

This event is a fundraiser for IBBY Australia.

Lions, baby farm animals, monkeys, bilbies, tiny things, grandparents, Christmas adventures, liars, teen angst and … bogs. There was something for everyone at the 10^th annual A Night With Our Stars (ANWOS)—record crowds gathered at Westbooks on Thursday 7 March 2013 for the biggest ANWOS yet.

Checking names off at the door – ANWOS 2013

Chloe Maugher, Branch President, welcomed librarians, parents, teachers, authors, illustrators and book-lovers, and all squeezed companionably into the marquee. It was noted that audience members (and authors and illustrators) came from far and wide including Broome, Carnarvon, Margaret River, Bunbury and Geraldton.

MC for the evening—Heather Zubek—flew in from Melbourne especially for the 10th Anniversary of ANWOS. She was a wiz at keeping the speakers to their time limits with the help of a duck-quack whistle.

The 2013 line-up of stellar authors and illustrators (and author-illustrators!) included:

Meg McKinlay (Wreck the Halls, and Ten Tiny Things) [She also spoke on behalf of Kyle Hughes-Odgers---illustrator of Ten Tiny Things---who couldn’t attend]

Naomi van Bentum (The Watermaker)

Dianne Touchell (Creepy and Maud)

Den Scheer, (In the Beech Forest—illustrator, text by Gary Crew)

Sally Morgan (Baby Bilby’s Question, The Last Dance, and with Ambelin Kwaymullina—Bush Bash)

Ambelin Kwaymullina (The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf)

Sean E Avery (All Monkeys Love Bananas)

Rebecca Cool (Bog, Frog, Hop—illustrator, text by Kyle Mewburn)

Danny Parker (Tree, with illustrations by Matt Ottley)

Jen Banyard (Mystery at Riddle Gully)

Juliet Marillier (Shadowfell)

Mark Pardoe (Not Bog Standard and Other Peculiar Stories)

James Foley (In the Lion)

Karen Blair (Baby Animal Farm, and With Nan—illustrator, text by Tania Cox)

Josie Wowalla Boyle (Bubbay)

Frané Lessac (The Greatest Liar on Earth—illustrator, text by Mark Greenwood; Drummer Boy of John John—illustrator, text by Mark Greenwood)

Balloons were presented to authors and illustrators who were ‘frequent presenters’ at ANWOS. Bravo!

Julia Lawrinson (Losing It) sent apologies due to illness. (But her ‘frequent Star’ balloons found their way to her at work later in the week!)

Caz Williams (designer of the ANWOS programme at the top of this post) and 2013 ANWOS Star Sean E Avery

All these presenters had 3 minutes to speed-talk about their books published in 2012. Even Mark Greenwood managed to get a few words in—from Queensland—with the help of Frané Lessac, a cardboard cutout of himself and a pre-recorded message.

Selling raffle tickets

Raffles were drawn (prizes included books, food, and a drawing by Sean E Avery created during his 3 minutes), Den Scheer auctioned a drawing (created during her 3 minutes) to raise money for young creators, and audience members were able to meet their favourite authors and illustrators and have them personally sign newly-purchased books.

A special thank you was extended to Jenni Woodroffe. Jenni first came up with the idea for ANWOS and she has been Convenor Extraordinaire since the very first one. This was her final ANWOS as convenor and she was presented with a certificate (to match the Stars’) and a parting gift of glittering jewellery to acknowledge the hours and hours of work she has dedicated to ANWOS over the years and her dedication to  promoting WA authors and illustrators.

Jenni Woodroffe, celebrates 10 years as ANWOS convenor

Jenni also produced a 10th Anniversary ANWOS pamphlet featuring memories of the last 10 years featuring an Honour Roll of all past ANWOS presenters on the back page. Copies of the pamphlet will be sent to past presenters who were unable to attend.

WA authors and illustrators are a talented bunch and there is already quite a collection of 2013 titles out—so ANWOS will be back in 2014. See you there!

There will be lots of free activities and events for families and you can hear fabulous children’s and YA authors speaking about their books—Andy Griffiths, Isobelle Carmody, Alison Lester, Meg McKinlay, James Foley … and more. (And, of course, you won’t want to miss the launch of Granny Grommet and Me.)

You’ll find the Family Day timetable on the Perth Writers Festival website. (The current weather forecast is for 27 degrees. Perfect!)