Ponkidoodle is my first children's picture book.
He was cyber launched into the big wide world on November 12th at www.ponkidoodle.wordpress.com and he had over 500 hits. It was a great day.
Ponkidoodle then had his 'real' book launch on November 14th 2009 at Berkeleouw Books in High St, Armadale.
From this point, I launched myself into 12 school visits: 6 locally in Melbourne and 6 schools back home in country victoria where I'm originally from (Hamilton, Port Fairy & Warrnambool).
Ponkidoodle has since sold out! He's being re-printed as we speak.
At the moment, I have a historical based trilogy coming out. They are Australian folklore stories based on real people and real situations and they're a snapshot in time, capturing those moments. I would describe them as 'historical narrative'.
These stories are for 5 - 8 years olds. They include a glossary of terms and a histircal blurb for reference. Each book is supported with 12 Teacher Activity Notes and these will be available on my website when the books are launched.
The first book is called -
'Kick it to me!'
with paintings by Peter Hudson, an Achibald finalist in 2007.
This picture book is a fictional historical reconstruction of Tom Wills’ life story, learning to play football from the Djabwurung tribe who lived near his parents’ station, Lexington, in the Victorian Grampians. With Australian Rules fanatics widespread throughout the nation, this will be an enormously popular title. All the footy-mad boys, who are often the ones having the most difficulty with reading, will love it. A percentage of proceeds will go towards the AFL Indigenous Programs, Literacy and Education Programs. Due out before Round 20 in August 2010. My second picture book is -
'Knockabout Cricket'
also being published by One Day Hill.
'Knockabout Cricket' is the amazing and tragic story of the brilliant indigenous cricketer, Johnny Mullagh. The story is told
through the eyes of a squatter's son who has returned home from boarding school and teaches Johnny how to bat and
bowl in the yards of the shearing shed.
My third picture book will complete this historical trilogy and is a work-in-progress.
SO STAY TUNED!
About the Publisher
One Day Hill is a place people can stand one day to look back on our time and say, "This is what mattered". In every age, there are works of art and acts of public courage that matter. In retrospect, these may be seen as being few and far between, but what is important is that they occur. One act here triggers another act there. Hope is a chain reaction.
Australia is a land of myth and magic; its great stories are the equal of anywhere else's. The stories that constitute our everyday lives also need proper telling since these are the way we find the wisdom and courage to withstand the collisions of daily living. We have the belief our best is not behind us, that historical defeats pass like the night - then comes the next bright dawning.
visit www.onedayhill.com.au
One Day Hill's Children's Picture Book "From Little Things Big Things Grow" by Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody, illustrated by kids from Guringji Country with paintings by Peter Hudson has made it to the Top 10 Reads of Books Alive!