Google Books

Click here to see my (small but growing) list of great books I have read.

Cheers

Mif

Tags: library books and reading
Posted at 02:05PM Nov 07, 2008 by Miffy Farquharson  | 

Book of the Year talks 2009

I am already receiving requests for talks in 2009. Please use this form to contact me and the Victorian Branch of CBCA.

Cheers

Mif

Posted at 09:02PM Nov 06, 2008 by Miffy Farquharson  | 

The Don't Quit Poem

I've just made Rhonda Powling a 'colleague' and had a quick look at her blog where she had a link to a video (check it out, it is a great one!) and then of course, you have to have a bit of a look around YouTube while you are there and I found another one called Inspirational Video - The Don't Quit Poem. Definitely a great source of inspiration, the old 'Toob'!

Cheers

Mif

Tags: inspiration poetry
Posted at 09:37PM Oct 27, 2008 by Miffy Farquharson  | 

Censorship article

Earlier this year David Beagley, editor of the online journal The Looking Glass, asked me if I would like to contribute to an edition which was looking at the issue of censorship. This is a link to my contribution.

Cheers

Mif

Tags: the looking glass
Posted at 09:42PM Oct 10, 2008 by Miffy Farquharson  | 

Books on the Radio

If you would like to listen to me talk about books, CBCA awards, great books, books and more books, about judging and the fun that can be had talking about books then check out the ABC website for the audio links.

Cheers

Mif

Tags: abc central victoria books cbca vic
Posted at 09:20PM Oct 10, 2008 by Miffy Farquharson  | 

Back on the ground

Well, after the euphoria of the CBCA awards announcement, and then the 'controversy' of the winner of the PB section, I am back at work full-time and into the 4th box of the year. Only 11 or so boxes to go!

I wish that folks would remember the other 5 winners, all the honour and notable books, and not just the one that the media latches onto. Despite some BRILLIANT coverage in Melbourne, it seems that the other states' media outlets were happy to latch onto a single poor review of a single book. Disappointing that in an age of increased connectivity, the media is still happy to take someone else's word for it. Kudos to The Age and to Channel Nine for at least talking to the CBCA. Brick bats to all the media outlets who ran with the negative spin without reading the book!

Despite all this, it really is a privilege to be able to read all the books entered. I love it. And there are many, many 'gems' that I can pass on to the students at my school. And in fact, the poor reponse of some media to this only makes me more determined to keep fighting for quality children's literature to be produced (go authors, illustrators and publishers) and promoted (go teacher-librarians, community librarians and book lovers everywhere).

Keep on reading.

Cheers

Mif

Posted at 08:21PM Aug 25, 2008 by Miffy Farquharson  | 

CBCA awards

Wow!

What a great day last Friday 15th August was. After 6 months of talking about the books (and keeping the secrets) the whole world got to know the winners of the CBCA Book of the Year awards.

Congrats to Matt Ottley (PB), Sonya Hartnett (OR), Carole Wilkinson (YR), Aaron Blabey (EC), Anna Walker (Crichton) and Frances Watts and David Legge (EP).

And congrats the all the honour and notable book authors and illustrators. I'm not allowed to say which ones, but so many of the books in the notables were SOOO close to being on the shortlists. So don't write them off, make sure you promote them to your students, clients, friends and enemies as good stuff!

And if your branch puts out a call to be a judge, seriously consider applying to do it. I have had so much fun, and feel that my professional reading has taken a step up to another level. It is the best thing that I have done in my professional life so far.

And I have a greater appreciation of the what the judges actually do!

Cheers

Mif

Posted at 09:00PM Aug 19, 2008 by Miffy Farquharson  | 

Euphemia Tanner Award

And...

Tonight the Euphemia Tanner Award was presented to Bronwen Bennett - current President of the Children's Book Council of Australia National executive, Tournament of Minds guru, and director of Show & Tell.

Congratulations Bronwen!

Mif

Posted at 10:38PM Aug 08, 2008 by Miffy Farquharson  | 

Children's Literature Conference in Bendigo

Tonight I have attended the Opening of the 6th Biennial Children's Literature Conference at LaTrobe University Bendigo.

In the Phyllis Palmer Gallery is a joint exhibition of two of Australia's premier illustrators - Elise Hurst and John Nicholson.

When you see the illustrations in the book it is fabulous, but to see them up close, with the pen marks on the paper, the intricacies of the lines and color - just mind boggling!

Tomorrow we all get down to work talking, listening and learning about books, writing, reading and loving children's books. Brilliant!

Cheers

Mif

Posted at 10:34PM Aug 08, 2008 by Miffy Farquharson  | 

Enjoying 'Inside a Dog'

Just recently I have been hanging around the 'Inside a Dog' pages from CYL at SLV, particularly James Roy's Residence blog, and the Your Say page, which includes The Inkys.

James Roy, author of CBCA notable book Town, is a really great writer. He is interacting and creating in real time. Way fun! Check out the Shortest Story Ever and the cover of his new book Hunting Elephants. Here is the link to James' blog.

Also on the 'Inside a Dog' pages is the shortlist for The Inkys. With books from around the world up for the gold and silver Inky, there is some great reading to be had. Check out the info and the list at Your Say.

And I've just given a CBC shortlist talk for the great librarians, teachers and passionate youth literites at Traralgon. At each talk, the people I meet are just an inspiration to me. Heaven on a stick!

Cheers

Mif

Tags: state library of victoria inkys james roy
Posted at 09:04PM Aug 01, 2008 by Miffy Farquharson  |