Time, I Need More Time!

I've not been very successful at keeping my new year resolution to update this blog more regularly. I have reintroduced the Picture Book of the Month sidebar though - pat on the back!

Can I plead two fulltime jobs: "journalist" and Mother?

(I feel uncomfortable calling myself a journalist because I think I do it very badly ... but that's another story.)

I wish I could buy or borrow more time for every thing I want to do. Every day brings a new project of some sort - for example, the children's book festival I'm organising with a few kindred spirits. I'm losing a lot of sleep over this festival, but it seems to be shaping up nicely.

If you'd like to read my Tots to Teens piece on the festival, click on the continue reading link. I've reproduced the article in full because links to stories on the Star Online always expire after a week or two.

I have another book-related project up my sleeve, which I will reveal in a few months. I divide the time I'm not being a "journalist" and a mum between this and the festival and so you can understand why this blog goes so long without anything new in it.

But enough of excuses. Starting next week, I'm going to try to find a few spare minutes at least once every few days just for The Place You Will Go.

I've just read The New Policeman by Kate Thompson and in that book, the reason why no one has time to do anything is cos it's leaking into an alternate universe - time is literally running out. The hero of the novel, which won last year's Whitbread children's book award, eventually finds the leak and manages to seal it. If only that was all that was happening here.

I think, in my case, it's just a matter of trying to cram at least 40-hrs worth of stuff into 24 hrs. Either that or I'm just really bad at time management.

Celebrating books

From Tots to teens: By DAPHNE LEE

I’VE been thinking almost non-stop about the book festival a group of us are organising. Frankly, it’s giving me nightmares because I keep obsessing about all the things that could go wrong. Like, what if there’s a power failure? Like, what if no one turns up?

However, it’s going to be a mini, mini festival – just two days and one venue – because we’re aiming for quality, not size. And, apart from being nervous as hell, those involved are also very excited and psyched about the whole thing.

I’ve been dreaming about this festival for years now. Like my blog, I guess it’s just another way of raising awareness about children’s books and the importance of reading. I think it will just be a great meeting place for lovers of children’s books, as well as a good introduction for those who don’t really know the genre, are curious and want to find out more.

 

So far, the plan is to have a book fair with books for sale and exchange; creative writing and illustration workshops; storytelling, and talks. There will also be a face-painter who will transform you into your favourite storybook character: I’m looking forward to that!

I have to say though that what I’m really, really bouncy about is the possibility of having children’s book writer and illustrator Colin Thompson as part of the festival. Thompson and I have been emailing and he’s keen to come and give a talk or two, conduct workshops and do some meet-the-author sessions.

I’m a big fan of Thompson’s picture books, so I hope this happens. I’m also hoping that we’ll be able to drum up some publicity for a picture book project that he’s involved in.

The book is called I Died Last Night and aims to raise funds for a charity (unspecified at present) that does aid work in areas where the population are severely affected by starvation, malnutrition and illness. It features a poem, with drawings by 14 illustrators (including Thompson) who have given their work for free. Read more about the project and view the artwork at www.idiedlastnight.com.

I Died Last Night is quite depressing to read and look at, but it raises an issue that needs to be talked and thought about. As Thompson put it in one of his emails: “One of the reasons I decided to make the book so confronting was because I think I can get a lot more media coverage for it than a nice sweet book would. Among other things, I see I Died Last night as a yuppie conscience coffee table book.”

Anyway, keep the first weekend of December free so you can come for the festival, meet Thompson (fingers crossed) and get involved in all the fun activities we’ll have lined up. Watch this space for updates! Now excuse me while I go obsess some more.