School Holidays in Newcastle & Lake Macquarie

l oo Sch y a d i l o H !

N U F

60+ super-fun activities for kids (big and small) to enjoy! www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 35

School Holiday Feature

There's no Time for Boredom this

School Holidays!

It can be a difficult task coming up with creative ways to entertain the kids on a wet and windy winter weekend.

So when you’ve got two whole school-free weeks stretching out in front of you and no plans to escape those winter woes in a warmer climate, the thought of how you’re going to keep the kids busy – without spending a fortune – can be daunting.

Luckily, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie City Councils have once again put together a packed schedule of free or inexpensive school holiday activities that are sure to appeal to kids of all ages.

36 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

Unique Masks (Mayfield July 3, Hamilton July 7 and Adamstown July 13) will challenge kids aged 7-12 to create something special to take home, while the Lego Master Builders Challenge (Adamstown July 5, Mayfield July 10, Hamilton July 11, Stockton July 13 and New Lambton July 14) will give participants the chance to construct their own temporary masterpiece using everybody’s favourite building blocks!

Dreams of running away to the circus will come true – for an hour or so at least – as children aged 7-13 try their hand at the skills you see under the big top. Presented by Newcastle’s own Circus Avalon, the Join the Circus sessions (Wallsend July 4 and 10) will introduce participants to juggling, balances, diabolo, flower sticks and hula hoops, with a fee of just $10 per person.

Older children can also enjoying the fun of Clowning Around (New Lambton July 5, Wallsend July 12), with a free 1.5 hour workshop that will give participants aged 12-16 the chance to make their own set of juggling balls before attempting to master the skills required to keep them in the air for as long as possible.

Teenagers with a flair for the dramatic will also be catered for these holidays, with the Special FX Makeup Workshop (Wallsend July 5) teaching the techniques needed to transform their face to look like a ghastly ghoul or zonked out zombie for just $10 per person, while the three-hour Get Shorty! sessions will focus on the craft of short filmmaking on your smartphone.

Develop a storyline, rehearse your actors and shoot your film in one single take! This workshop runs over two afternoons, finishing with a movie showing for friends and family (Wallsend July 7 and 14).

There will be plenty more fun to be had at the library over the holidays, including Family Movie Nights, the launch of Renee Price’s new picture book during Digby Fixit Live!, a chance to Code a Band or delve deep into a story with the Mother/Daughter Book Club.

A series of NAIDOC Week (July 2-9) activities will also be held at various libraries in partnership with the University of Newcastle and the Wollotuka Institute, including stories, puppets and a Possum Skin Cloak at Possum ($5, ages 6-12); the chance to create a contemporary work inspired by traditional Aboriginal art at NAIDOC Week Art ($5, ages 8-13); and the opportunity to learn some new dance moves and have your face painted in ochre at Time to Move ($5, ages 6-12).

Bookings for all activities are essential. Make sure you check out www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Library/Whats-On to find out what’s on near you.

Newcastle Museum

A great place to visit at any time of the year, Newcastle Museum WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN Features Writer steps up its family-friendly activities during the school holidays with a series of free science shows that explore the world around us.

Designed to excite with explosions, make you curious about Newcastle Region Libraries the workings of all things great and small and take you into the Gone are the days when a visit to the library was just about fascinating world of chemicals, the popular shows fill up fast, borrowing a book. Modern libraries are vibrant, interactive spaces where visitors can get involved in all sorts of activities – with three sessions each day on July 4, 6, 11 and 13.

Of course, there’s plenty more to see at the museum once without needing to worry about keeping the noise level to a the science show is over, with the Supernova Hands-on Science whisper.

Centre combining fun and facts to teach you about everything Newcastle’s network of libraries have plenty of options for from levers and pulleys to how a tornado is formed. children from as young as three right through to those in their The Fire and Earth Gallery also provides an interesting – late teens these holidays, with most activities coming without and noisy – insight into Newcastle’s industrial past, with an a cost. amazing light and sound show that interprets the excitement, Music! Storytime, Dance! Storytime and Put on Your Crazy colour, drama and noise of the steel-making process at the Clothes! Storytime will encourage children aged 3-8 to feel the former BHP Newcastle Steelworks. beat and dress up in wild outfits while enjoying stories, songs, The museum is open every day of the school holidays from instruments and craft. The free 50-minute sessions will be held at various libraries throughout the Newcastle region during both 10am to 5pm, visit www.newcastlemuseum.com.au for more details. the first and second weeks of the holidays.

JULY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

What’s on at

NEWCASTLE REGION LIBRARY

Art Worksop at NAG

We offer a range of programs and workshops for all ages, from dance and music to clowning and special FX makeup.

Newcastle Art Gallery

The gallery isn’t just a place to appreciate the artworks of others, with budding artists given a chance to indulge their creative sides these holidays at the Abstract Stamp Designs Art Workshop.

Working with a range of art materials, including wooden blocks and cardboard, children will create interesting printing stamps, which they can then use to make their own vibrant and colourful masterpiece.

Taking inspiration from The National Gallery of Australia’s travelling exhibition Abstraction: celebrating Australian abstract women artists, the workshop is a fun way for children aged 5-12 to learn about colour, design and non-traditional printmaking techniques. Workshops cost $10 per person and will be held several times each day on July 3-7.

If you’re more into superheroes than stamps the gallery has also got you covered, with a Superhero Comic Art Workshop ($10 per person) inspired by The Phantom Show. Create a comic style artwork with traditional animation techniques by using paint pens or markers to illustrate a character onto layers of clear sheets and build an interchangeable work of art. Three sessions will be run each day on July 10-14, with the workshop designed for children aged 5-12.

The Phantom Show will also be the inspiration behind the artworks created during the Torchlight Tour Superheroes Unite event at the gallery on Saturday, July 1. Dress up as your favourite superhero, grab your torch and head down to the gallery for a guided tour of the exhibitions by torchlight, before grabbing a hot chocolate and making your own superheroinspired artwork. Suitable for children aged five years and over, the tour costs $10 per child, with accompanying adults free.

Bookings are essential. For more details visit www.nag.org.au

Lake Macquarie Libraries

There’s more to Lego than just playing with simple building blocks as participants will discover at the Introduction to Lego Mindstorm workshop (Cardiff July 3, Charlestown July 13).

Using Lego’s most advanced and newest robotics technology – the powerful Mindstorms EV3 – children aged 8-14 can learn how to assemble the robots and program them to carry out special tasks.

Those interested in all things computers may also enjoy the Ozobots: Coding for Children workshop at Speers Point Library on July 7. The free two-hour session introduces children aged

Join us at the Library for school holiday fun!

Many activities are free. Bookings essential for ALL programs via Eventbrite.

For times, locations and bookings visit: www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/library/Whats-On

NAIDOC Celebrations

10-14 to the world of coding using the online Ozobots program and is perfect for beginners.

Those more interesting in writing stories than coding programs will be able to hone their skills at the Young Writer’s Workshop (Charlestown July 4). Children aged 11-14 can learn valuable tips and enjoy practical writing exercises that fuel the imagination and build writing confidence during this free threehour session.

Children curious about the world around them are sure to love the Curious Chemistry Science Show, ($8 library members, $10 non-members) presented by the Newcastle Museum at Speers Point Library on July 7. Aimed at children 10-14 years, the show will allow participants to learn, observe and discover chemical reactions and the incredible chemistry behind our bodies, brains and the universe.

Of course, the younger members of the family are also being catered for these school holidays as the libraries celebrate NAIDOC Week.

Painting with Aunty Maree (Toronto July 6) is perfect for children aged 5-12 years as they create an artwork and learn about Aboriginal symbols with Aunty Maree, while NAIDOC Storytime (Swansea July 6) will feature artist and illustrator Fern Martins, who will entertain children aged 3-7 with stories, songs and craft.

(Continued next page) ►

Anime Movie Marathon

Free

Wallsend District Library – Thursday 6 July, 2-5pm Do you enjoy anime and manga? Then come along to our free anime and ice cream movie screening.

Ages 12-18. Free, includes free drinks and ice cream. Bookings essential.

For enquiries please call 4974 5300.

For more information visit: www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au

www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 37

(Continued) The second week of the school holidays will also offer plenty of opportunities to get crafty, with Drive-in Movie: Babe (Swansea July 11) encouraging children 5-10 years to bring a box to build their own car before sitting back for a “drive-in” movie screening of the much-moved classic Babe. The session costs $2, which includes items to decorate your own box car, as well as a movie snack pack containing chips and a drink.

Children aged 5-10 years can also get creative by building their own robot from recycled materials at Craftybots (Cardiff July 13).

Bookings are required for all sessions. For more details, visit www.library.lakemac.com.au/kids/school-holiday-fun

Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery

While the ever-changing exhibition schedule means there’s always a reason to visit Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, there will also be plenty of one-off workshops on offer these school holidays.

Print Portraits will explore the art of portraiture using printmaking techniques (July 4), while Pet Profiles (July 5) will encourage children to paint a picture of their pet or favourite animal on a canvas.

The artworks will take on a whole new dimension during 3D Portraits (July 11), with children learning assemblage techniques, while a variety of materials and techniques will be used at the Mixed Media Animalia workshop (July 12), where animals will once again be the portraiture subject.

All of the above workshops cost $20 per person and are designed for children aged seven years and over. Bookings are essential. Visit www.artgallery.lakemac.com.au or contact 4921 0382 or for more details.

He’s Strong, Humorous & Immortal... He’s The Phantom!

In March 1977, the Newcastle Regional Art Gallery officially opened to the public as one of the first purpose-built contemporary Regional Art Galleries in Australia. On the 1st of September of that same year, the exhibition Ghost Who Walks Never Can Die was held, a celebration of pop art inspired by the long-running Phantom comics.

This month, 40 years later - the Ghost who walks returns to Newcastle as The Phantom Show to help celebrate the anniversary of the building - the first purpose built contemporary regional Art Gallery in Australia. Curated by local artist Dietmar Lederwasch and Sydney-based artist Peter Kingston, the exhibition is on now at Newcastle Art Gallery and will run through the July School Holidays – closing on the 20th of August.

The 1977 exhibition introduced up and coming artists of the Australian art world to Newcastle. The exhibition included; timber cut-outs by Peter Kingston, paintings by Richard Larter, collages by Richard Liney, emulsions on board from movie producer Phillipe Mora, serigraphs by Garry Shead and lithographs by one of Australia's greatest psychedelic artists, 38 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

West Wallsend Swim Centre

West Wallsend Swim Centre

Winter might not seem like the ideal time to go for a swim, but the school holidays offer the perfect opportunity for children to ramp up their water skills during the Intensive Learn to Swim Program.

Held over five days from July 3-7 within the temperaturecontrolled surrounds of the West Wallsend Swim Centre’s 25m heated indoor pool, the program will help boost your child’s confidence in the water.

With beginner to transition levels available, the program is suitable for swimmers of many different abilities and is sure to give their skills a valuable kick along before the warmer weather returns later in the year.

The program costs $55 and is open to children aged three years and over. Bookings are required by calling 4921 0738. ■

Mixed Media Animalia at Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery

with drawings and notes in the margins from original artist Lee Martin Sharp. These emerging creatives all moved on to Faulk. become some of the country's most prominent contemporary "It's quite exhilarating to bring this exhibition to Newcastle artists.

The new The Phantom Show plays host to the largest array - my hometown," said co-curator Dietmar Lederwasch. "The development of this show has certainly been a labour of love for of artists ever gathered to celebrate the art of the Phantom. both Peter and I, because of our long history with the Phantom Over fifty artists' works are exhibited, from the first Phantom character, but bringing it here is particularly special to me." comics in Australia and the United States, through to Euan "I'm thrilled to be working with so many Novocastrian Macleod's depiction Father of the first Phantom (2014). artists and adding their new works into this already amazing Many local Novocastrians have produced new works of art for the Newcastle exhibition including Michael Bell, Dallas Bray, exhibition," said Lederwasch.

"Anyone who has enjoyed the Phantom and his many Chris Capper, Dino Consalvo, James Drinkwater, Ron Hartree, incarnations over the years will have a great time at this Aleta Lederwasch, Dietmar Lederwasch, Claire Martin, John Morris, Lezlie Tilley, Peter Tilley, John Turier and Graham Wilson. exhibition."

Each artist has their own unique reason for becoming involved with the exhibition.

As a character, the Phantom was created in 1936 as a daily newspaper comic strip. To this day, the Phantom still runs in over five hundred newspapers internationally. The comics tell the story of a costumed crime fighter who lives in the ancient Skull Cave in the fictional African country of Bangalla.

Due to the comic's long-running history, the exhibition has a multigenerational appeal. Everyone 'owns' the Phantom in their own way and through different interpretations of him can recognise his humanity as a point of difference to the more traditional concepts of a super-hero and in doing so capture a shared love of the comic.

Unlike many comic strip heroes, the Phantom relies on "Father of The Phantom" by Macleod. his strength, intelligence, humour and reputed immortality to defeat his enemies. Perhaps for this reason, more than any This free exhibition is open at Newcastle Art Gallery 10am other superhero, the Phantom continues to be a source of to 5pm, Tues to Sun and 7 days a week during School creative and artistic inspiration for many Australian artists more Holidays. Get the kids involved with the special Phantom than 80 years after he was first imagined.

Children's Art Trail which encourages them to become the The Newcastle show also includes a range of Phantom hero of their own comic strip while viewing the exhibition. memorabilia and ephemera - including a hand typed script

Sand Dune

Sa a is INSPIRING KIDS

at Maths Inspiration

Mathematics is a key learning subject for students, preparing them to tackle everyday problems with a logical and calculated mindset, and leading the way to understanding greater complexities for future careers, particularly those in STEM fields which are the future of innovation.

While the benefits of maths can be hard to convince to kids in the classroom, enjoyment of mathematics can be encouraged in students by communicating in ways which peak their interest.

Coming all the way from the UK this month is Maths Inspiration, interactive maths lectures helping students Years 9-11 to understand real-world mathematics through entertainment. Maths Inspiration is a national programme of interactive maths lecture shows for teenagers.

All shows have three interactive talks, an interval and a lively Q&A session at the end.

For teachers, this is an ideal STEM outing for your school that can also open your students' eyes to careers they may not have considered before.

“Understanding mathematical concepts through an entertaining experience is a fantastic way to encourage future student engagement with maths,” says Darius Samojlowicz, Executive Officer of the Mathematical Association of NSW. Mathematics-experts-come-liveentertainers, Jen Rogers, Matt Parker and Rob Eastaway, will demonstrate the possibilities for humour and excitement within mathematics to inspire teens, regardless of their current interest in maths.

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

Rob Eastaway has been Director of Maths Inspiration since it’s inception. He is an author whose books on everyday maths include the bestselling Why Do Buses Come In Threes? and The Hidden Maths of Sport.

He appears regularly on BBC Radio 4 and 5 Live to talk about the maths of everyday life and has given maths talks across the world to audiences of all ages.

Matt Parker is known as the "standup mathematician" and is the only person to hold the prestigious title of London Mathematical Society Popular Lecturer, while simultaneously having a sold-out comedy show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Matt is always keen to mix his two passions of mathematics and stand-up as well as presenting TV and radio shows. In 2014 his first book, Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension, was published in the UK and USA. Jennifer Rogers studied Mathematics with Statistics at Lancaster University before going to the University of Warwick to do her PhD. She is now a research fellow in the Department of Statistics at the University of Oxford. She has appeared as an expert statistician in the TV programmes Long Live Britain and Mystery Map - in which she calculated the chance of dying from spontaneous human combustion!

Maths Inspiration began in 2004. Since then over 150,000 teenagers have attended shows, making the programme one of the largest and most successful maths enrichment programmes in the UK. Maths Inspiration is coming to Newcastle Civic Theatre on Monday 24th July 2017.

For bookings and information www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

ALL AGES, ALL ABILITIES Come on the ultimate adventure! Join Sand Dune Safaris in one of our purpose built off road vehicles and experience the magnificent Stockton Sand Dunes - the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere, right here in beautiful Port Stephens.

Discover the remote outpost of Tin City and learn about the history of the ecosystem and inhabitants. You also can’t miss Sand Boarding, fun for all the family. Don’t forget your camera, the scenery is spectacular!

Hunter Valley

Horseriding & Adventures ALL AGES Get away from city living and go horseriding!

It’s the perfect day trip - just 30 minutes up the Hunter Expressway you’ll find a place where you can relax, get back to nature, treat the kids or just stop and smell the roses!

Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures offers trail rides for both beginners and experienced riders. Enjoy a picnic (we have

School holiday activities: We will be open every day for our Sand Boarding Adventure, between 10am and 4pm. Price includes a 10 minute 4WD trip over the dunes, board hire, instructor and unlimited Sand Boarding. Also fantastic for kids birthday parties! Bring along your esky with food and drinks and relax in our shaded picnic area on the dunes whilst the kids have a ball!

DETAILS Open every weekend, 10am - 4pm (extended hours over Summer), weekdays by appointment. Open every day during school holidays. Departure location - Lower car park, end of James Paterson St, Anna Bay. Look for the big army bus! Phone 0425 213 096. www.sanddunesafaris.com.au

over 300 acres of great spots), utilise our BBQ facilities, enjoy a tractor hay ride to feed the animals, check out the kangaroos, hiking and mountain bike trails or sunset rides.

We offer great guest house and semi self contained villa accommodation, where kids stay free during school holidays! (Villas only). Be quick to book, we have limited spots available.

Feel your school holiday stresses slip away! Book the kids in for some outdoor fun.

DETAILS Open 7 days, 288 Talga Road, Lovedale. Bookings are recommended, phone Margaret on 4930 7111 or 0417 233 008. www.huntervalleyhorseriding.com.au www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 39

School Holiday Feature

MR STINK

STANK

Loads of Fun for Kids (and Their Adults!)

David Walliams’ award-winning book Mr Stink comes to life on stage for children 6-12 and their adults this month when this charming original Australian adaptation plays at the Civic Theatre Newcastle for four performances from July 25th and 26th, 2017. These shows are part of a national tour following its 2016 Sydney Opera House premiere.

"Mr Stink stank. He also stunk. And if it was correct English to say he stinked, then he stinked as well…”

It all starts when Chloe, just about the loneliest girl in the world, makes friends with Mr Stink, the local tramp. Sure he smells a bit, but he’s the only person who’s ever been nice to her. So, when Mr Stink needs a place to stay, Chloe decides to hide him in the garden shed.

Now Chloe's got to make sure no one finds out her secret, but she’s about to learn

that some secrets have a way of leading to disaster. And speaking of secrets, there just might be more to Mr Stink than meets the eye… or the nose…

The team behind The 13- 26- and 52-Storey Treehouses live on stage return with this touching, twisted, hilarious, and very smelly tale… hold on to your nose!

This heart-warming and comical adaptation will enthral and amuse audiences of all ages. For more information about the production visit www.cdp.com.au For tickets, call Ticketek on 4929 1977 or visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

Entertainment Passes AGES 5 - ADULT Looking for indoor fun? Enjoy the school holidays with the great value Entertainment Passes, only available at Charlestown Square. Enjoy a movie at Reading Cinemas, a game of bowling or laser tag at Strike, play time at Timezone plus food treats at selected favourites. Packaged together for amazing value, Kids Entertainment Passes are just $38 and Super Passes are $37 each – on sale at the Customer Service Desk and valid until December, so plenty of time to enjoy.

Visit www.charlestownsquare.com.au for more information.

40 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

Hunter Valley

Ga dens ALL AGES Get ready for a Winter Wonderland that is jammed-packed full of fun at Hunter Valley Gardens Snow Time in the Garden. HVG has pulled out all the stops this year, adding more rides and entertainment than ever before to this incredible winter event.

The one of a kind destination will transform into a glittering winter fair throughout the school holidays until Sunday, July 16th, with new activities and something for everyone to enjoy at any age!

The cooler activities include the ice skating rink, the 40m ice toboggan, or you can play

in the snow in one of the equally large Snow Time Play Zones, which have plenty of room for snowmen and snow angels. The brand new Carnival style Fair Rides are a feature this year, with a 25m ferris wheel, 12m long swing chairs and a traditional carousel for all kids to enjoy! Inflatables will also keep the kids busy, enjoying unlimited bouncing, frolicking and racing on giant jumping castles and obstacle courses.

DETAILS Hunter Valley Gardens Snow Time in the Garden is located on Broke Road, Pokolbin.

Open 10am - 7pm weekdays, and 10am - 9pm weekends. For more details about the event, tickets and the full program, visit www.hvg.com.au

School Holiday Feature

Author Deboorah Kelly celebrates the launch of her first book with young fans. Photo Credit: Sarah Foote

The Chalk Rainbow Teaching Kids About Empathy and Diversity WORDS MICHELLE MEEHAN Features Writer

“

The Chalk Rainbow explores difference and diversity through a family living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), though the word autism is never actually mentioned. It’s really a story of unconditional love, of trust and of learning to look at the world through the eyes of others.

spine 9mm

Zane is different to other kids. He lines things up, and he’s frightened of things that don’t seem to bother other people — like the colour black. Things are looking pretty bleak for him and his family, until his sister starts to draw a chalk rainbow on the front steps …

A heart-warming story of love, trust and learning to look at the world through the eyes of others.

Guidelines - Correct Logo Use

‘EK’ Logo - Revised May 2013.

DO NOT DISTRIBUTE WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM EXISLE PUBLISHING LIMITED

Background EK is short for Exisle Kids - Exisle Publishing’s Imprint for childrens/teen books.

The shoe represents all that we love about children: Energy, playfulness & adventure.

We want our EK Imprint to share these values, so we encourage designers to use our logo with the same energy, playfulness & adventure. This will be achieved by the use of colours that enhances the EK logo whilst complimenting it’s surroundings. Enjoy!

A

EK PRIMARY USE Logo - Full colour (To be used wherever possible)

B

EK TINY USE Logo - Full colour (To be used only when neccessary)

Use Logo ‘A’ in all applications ensuring printed size is NOT LESS than 8mm WIDE

8mm

8mm

Minimum size for EK Logo = 8mm wide.

If Logo ‘A’ needs to be LESS than 8mm WIDE

www.ekbooks.org

The difference between the ‘A’ Primary Use and ’B‘ Tiny Use Logos is the detail on the shoe is removed - because such detail begins to ‘fill’ when reporduced at such tiny sizes.

Use Logo ‘B’ in all applications less than 8mm wide ensuring printed size is NOT LESS than 4mm WIDE

Deborah Kelly and Gwynneth Jones

42 | www.intouchmagazine.com.au

“My first picture book The Bouncing Ball was published in 2013 by Random House. But it was a story I wrote called ‘Real Jam’ (about my Nana, who was a Hungarian refugee) that was the first to be picked for publication,” she said.

“I took ‘Real Jam’ to a writers’ festival and was luckily given the opportunity to pitch the story (in two minutes) to a panel of publishers.

“Fortunately a lovely publisher from Random House took a shine to it, and Jam for Nana was published in 2014. At a later meeting, I showed Random House another manuscript I had about the journey of a lost ball, which was also accepted, but that ended up coming out first!”

Fast forward a few years, and while Deborah has a variety of published works under her belt, that still doesn’t guarantee every idea will be an easy sell to publishers.

The manuscript for Deborah’s latest book, The Chalk Rainbow, was passed over several times before being picked up by EK Books – an end result that Deborah was determined to achieve in order to promote its theme of inclusivity.

The Chalk Rainbow

Deborah Kelly was just seven when she penned her first series of picture books. While those early efforts may not have found an audience beyond her family farm in New Zealand, Deborah’s writing career has certainly come a long way since then, as she prepares to celebrate the publication of her latest book.

Now based in Lake Macquarie, the successful children’s author has written everything from educational resources to haiku poetry, as well as the popular ‘Ruby Wishfingers’ series of chapter books for younger readers.

This month Deborah will also publish her fifth picture book, The Chalk Rainbow, with an official launch to be held at Wallsend District Library on Saturday, July 1 from 10.30am.

But it was far from a natural progression from her childhood scribblings in New Zealand to her successful career as a children’s author across the Tasman, with Deborah dabbling in everything from marine biology to meat pies along the way!

“I studied Marine Biology and Environmental Management at James Cook University up in Queensland many moons ago,” she said.

“Since then I have done all kinds of jobs, from working as an English teacher in Japan to being a travel agent in Scotland to selling meat pies over the phone - which I didn’t do very well at all, being a vegetarian!

“I have always written poetry and kept journals, but it wasn’t until after my second child was born that I decided to try my hand at writing for kids.”

The path to publication can be long and challenging, with Deborah lucky enough to get her first break after impressing a publisher during a two-minute pitch session at a writers’ festival.

When asked what advice she would give those keen to follow in her footsteps, Deborah told intouch Magazine it was important for aspiring authors to read widely, write as much as they can and attend as many writing courses and festival events as possible.

“The book was inspired by time spent with children on the autism spectrum and their families, observing their challenges but also their triumphs.

“Having a child with ASD can be hard for parents and siblings as well as the child themselves. Often parents feel helpless.

“Siblings of kids with ASD tend to be compassionate, understanding and very accepting of difference. I have seen them come up with very creative ways to solve problems. This is what happens in The Chalk Rainbow.

“From idea to publication, The Chalk Rainbow took about four years. The manuscript underwent many changes and received some wonderful feedback from publishers.

“Unfortunately many mainstream publishers turned it down because they felt it appealed to too narrow an audience. Luckily, EK books could see that its themes were universal.

“My hope is that The Chalk Rainbow will make its way into homes, libraries and schools to encourage discussion about difference and diversity, including ASD. “I hope that it will provide some insight into the world of a child with ASD, and encourage kids to step into another’s shoes to see the world from their point of view.

“I want children to see that with patience, kindness and understanding - and sometimes thinking a bit outside of the square - we can help each other to overcome challenges.”

Of course, a picture book is as much about the illustrations as it is about the story, and Deborah said she was more than pleased with how Newcastle-based illustrator Gwynneth Jones brought her words visually to life.

“I think most authors have pictures in their head while they are writing - I certainly do! But seeing your work brought to life through someone else’s interpretation is, for me, one of the best parts about being an author,” Deborah said.

“An illustrator can take the book in quite a different direction with wonderful results.

“I’ve always admired Gwynne’s work, but this is our first collaboration. I love her beautiful, sensitive illustrations for The Chalk Rainbow.”

Gwynneth has been illustrating picture books since 2014 when she was approached by EK Books to work on the visuals for Don’t Think About Purple Elephants, written by fellow Lake Macquarie children’s author Susan Whelan. It was a new direction for the University of Newcastle-trained illustrator, but one she said she enjoyed immensely.

“I always love a project, I love collaborations,” she said.

“I’ve always liked the stories I’ve illustrated, and I find if I like the story, instantly (ideas for the illustrations) are popping straight away.”

It can take Gwynneth several months to complete a picture book, with the illustrator initially developing what each character will look like before working on the individual pages.

While she favours predominantly black and white illustrations with a dash of colour when completing her own work, Gwynneth said she enjoyed using oil pastels for the first time to create the gorgeously vibrant and brightly coloured drawings for The Chalk Rainbow.

This is the fifth picture book she has illustrated and Gwynneth said she still gets a thrill when she first sees the full book proof come through from the publishers before it goes to print.

However, her biggest thrill comes when she hal Rainbo sees the faces of the eC w h T children as they pick up the book for the first time – which they will see plenty of when the book is officially launched at Wallsend Library this month.

Guidelines - Correct Logo Use

‘EK’ Logo - Revised May 2013.

DO NOT DISTRIBUTE WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM EXISLE PUBLISHING LIMITED

Background

ISBN 978-1-925335-45-3

EK is short for Exisle Kids - Exisle Publishing’s Imprint for childrens/teen books.

The shoe represents all that we love about children: Energy, playfulness & adventure.

We want our EK Imprint to share these values, so we encourage designers to use our logo with the same energy, playfulness & adventure. This will be achieved by the use of colours that enhances the EK logo whilst complimenting it’s surroundings. Enjoy!

51799

A

EK PRIMARY USE Logo - Full colour (To be used wherever possible)

Use Logo ‘A’ in all applications ensuring printed size is NOT LESS than 8mm WIDE

8mm

UK £9.99

US $17.99

If Logo ‘A’ needs to be LESS than 8mm WIDE

B

EK TINY USE Logo - Full colour (To be used only when neccessary)

The difference between the ‘A’ Primary Use and ’B‘ Tiny Use Logos is the detail on the shoe is removed - because such detail begins to ‘fill’ when reporduced at such tiny sizes.

Use Logo ‘B’ in all applications less than 8mm wide ensuring printed size is NOT LESS than 4mm WIDE

CAN $23.99

4mm

4mm

Page 1 of 2

4mm

Minimum size = 4mm wide.

If Logo ‘B’ needs to be MORE than 8mm WIDE, Use Logo ‘A’

Copyright © 2010 Exisle Publishing Limited

4mm

Minimum size = 4mm wide.

If Logo ‘B’ needs to be MORE than 8mm WIDE, Use Logo ‘A’

Copyright © 2010 Exisle Publishing Limited

8mm

Minimum size for EK Logo = 8mm wide.

>

9 781925 335453

Page 1 of 2

Deborah Kelly and Gwynneth Jones

School Holidays FUN FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES

*Bookings & details at:

charlestownsquare.com.au www.intouchmagazine.com.au | 41