Blog
I am excited to announce that on the 12th of November, I will be part of a Children’s Book Art exhibition alongside Leigh Hobbs, Ann James and Mark Wilson. The exhibition will take place at Dromkeen Gallery in Riddell’s Creek. Original paintings, prints, books and cards will be for sale. Mark Wilson will also be launching […]
I spent a truly magical day with the kids from two schools in Coolgardie and Kurrawang, WA. It was such a wonderful way to finish my Follow the Dragon tour as Laureate. At C.A.P.S Coolgardie, I had a fantastic session where I met a student named Kana, who dressed up as Zadie Ma for Book […]
It was my last full day in Perth yesterday, which I spent holding a Chinese painting workshop at the beautiful Paperbird Books in Fremantle. Below are images of some of the artworks made. I’ve had a wonderful time this past week covering 10 schools in 5 days from East to West, North to South. I […]
My fourth day of book week in Western Australia was another great day. I spent time with kids at South Coast Baptist School and then Frederick Irwin Anglican School, with a stop at beautiful Waikiki Beach. Thank you to Ron Gorman for being my lovely minder for the day. On my fifth day in Perth, […]
I spent a lovely morning amongst the trees on a hill overlooking a lake at the Montessori School. There were some great artists in Years 4, 5 and 6. Here are a few of their characters named: Bob, Buddy and Goat Dude. After lunch and a drive along the coast, I spoke at Quinn’s Baptist. […]
On my second day of Book Week in WA, I visited the Year 4s at All Saints College. I finished my session and was walking back through the grounds when I saw a student playing a polka-dotted piano. How lovely that there’s a piano for all to use. I was quite under the weather with […]
This week, I travelled to Western Australia to spend Book Week in Perth, Kalgoorlie and Albany. My first day of Book Week was a tiring but extra rewarding one, where I visited two great schools in Perth – Providence Christian College and Carey Baptist College. I was blown away by the diversity of the questions […]
I’m thrilled and honoured my novel ‘Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon’ has been shortlisted for the 2023 Queensland Literary Awards. Thank you so much to the judges. ‘When eleven-year-old Zadie Ma discovers the stories she writes come true, she conjures her dream dog to bring love, joy and hope back to […]
Western Australia, my final visit as Australian Children’s Laureate.
Aug 18: Australian Children's Laureate News
My last interstate visit in my role as Australian Children’s Laureate is to beautiful other-side-of-this-huge continent, Western Australia. According to Google Maps, from my home to Perth, it’s 3428 kilometres and would take 1 day and 12 hours of non-stop driving. There’s also the 2-hour time difference between east and west coasts. I’m really looking […]
On Tuesday I delivered the Wang Gungwu Lecture. You can see it on ABC iview. The event was organized by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations 澳中基金会, an Australian government initiative to strengthen understanding and engagement between Australia and China. Senator the Hon. Penny Wong also had some important words to say via video link. […]
I am a bit late in wishing you all a wonderful Year of the Rabbit. Rabbits are born in 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963,1951, 1939, 1927. My daughter Lei Lei is a rabbit, and she fits her zodiac sign perfectly with her calm and peaceful nature.
After Wahgunyah, I traveled to Benalla for my very last Australian Children’s Laureate Follow the Dragon gig for the year. I was hosted by Benalla Art Gallery curator, Brenda Wellman. And this is the space I presented in. I loved being surrounded by all these beautiful old paintings. The year 3 and 4 students from […]
My last trip for the year as I reach the halfway mark as Australian Children’s Laureate – Wahgunyah and Benalla
Nov 28: Australian Children's Laureate News
I travelled up to Benalla by train then was driven the one hour to Wahgunyah where I spoke to the students at Wahgunyah Primary School. There has been flooding in NSW and Victoria in towns close to the major rivers, Wahgunyah, which is on the Murray River was no exception although flooding there was light […]
At last I have a bit of downtime to catch up with what I’ve been doing the past few months. I keep up to date on social media but find it harder to update my blogs. The Headland Writers Festival was a lovely regional festival. It was small and intimate and personal. And the people […]
What a thrill it was to be on Play School Story Time recently. I could choose any one of the iconic Play School toys to accompany me. They are all kept in a locked cloth cupboard. I could almost hear them giggling and jostling with each other. It was such a hard decision to make […]
I was honoured to officially open the gorgeous new library at the brand new Strathtulloh Primary School in Victoria. With the help from local businesses and grant funding through the Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation, the school was able to fill the library with hand-picked books from Readings. I hope this wonderful new space inspires children […]
It has been such an exciting month. I recently returned from a weekend in Tasmania where first I met with fellow children’s authors and illustrators from SCBWI Hobart (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). This is a wonderful organisation and I encourage kids’ authors and illustrators to join their local chapter if they have […]
A little bird for you with a eucalyptus leaf on her head. Having a bit of downtime between travels and a picture book under consideration means that I have time to play. The dog and the star
The Write Around the Murray festival was fabulous. I did quite a few school sessions and as usual the kids were great. I also had a lively panel discussion with Eliza Hull and Gary Lonesborough hosted by Yves Rees about identity. The best question in that session came from a 6 year old. “What makes […]
The link for this conversation with Ron Gorman is in my bio. The ACLF is proud to be part of the Foundation for Learning and Literacy Literature Symposium series in 2022. Our video features our current Australian Laureate Gabrielle Wang in conversation with ACLF Board member and Deputy Director AISWA Ron Gorman.
Best question
Sep 05: Author Interviews
Best question from Melbourne Writers Festival yesterday. In fact it’s one of the best questions I’ve been asked ever. In my talk I tell the true childhood story of an old lady who lived in a mansion who we called the witch. Q: ‘If that lady was still alive today, what would you say to […]
The Garden of Empress Cassia is 20 years old today. It was my first novel and is still in print so it’s doing fairly well for its age. The story is loosely based on how I felt as a child not fitting in. It’s about a Chinese Australian girl who, due to racism is ashamed […]
I talked about being Australian Children’s Laureate and Zadie Ma and drew dragons with students from Springvale organized brilliantly by Greater Dandenong Libraries. Great kids and questions and drawings!
Here are some pics from the CBCA event on the shores of Lake Macquarie at the Museum of Art and Culture in Toronto. I had a wonderful time chatting to local CBCA Central Coast members, teacher librarians, authors and illustrators. I never take for granted how lucky I am to be sharing the love of […]
I loved meeting all the staff at MacLean’s Bookshop in Newcastle. Repost MacLean’s Booksellers “What an absolute treat it was to meet Gabrielle Wang, the Australian Children’s Laureate. Thanks so much for visiting I our shop today.”
Continuing my Dragon Tour as Children’s Laureate Foundation with a trip to Lake Macquarie Museum of Art and Culture MAC in NSW. What a lovely venue to present at. It was a beautiful blue sky day as I told stories and drew with years 3-6 students from 2 local primary schools. Then in the evening […]
Australian Values
Aug 30: Author Interviews
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gabrielle Wang 兴霜 (@gabriellewangbooks) Australian Values is a project that the government has put together where people from all walks of life are interviewed. Repost Australian Values https://www.instagram.com/p/Chjdx1thWWV/
I was interviewed by Valerie Khoo from the Australian Writers Centre. https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/writer-495-australian-childrens-laureate-gabrielle/id836440322?i=1000576170327
A compilation of Chinese paintings I did while studying in Taiwan and China
Aug 18: A Passing Whisper
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gabrielle Wang 兴霜 (@gabriellewangbooks) I did these many years ago when i was studying Chinese painting in Taiwan and China in the 1980’s.
Upcoming Events
Aug 17: Booktalk
For those who are interested, these are the festivals and other venues where I’ll be appearing for the rest of 2022. For further details: Link in bio. Farrells Bookshop Mornington Vic MAC Newcastle NSW Melbourne Writers Festival Melbourne Write Around The Murray Albury NSW HeadLand Writers Festival Tathra NSW Lift Off Festival Hobart Tasmania
This week some new greeting cards arrived from Nuovo Cards. It’s always lovely to see one’s work in another form. The cards can be found at some independent bookshops and gift shops.
“The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book?” David Attenborough.
My trip to South Australia finished yesterday. It was my first interstate tour as Children’s Laureate Foundation. I had a wonderful time in the Adelaide hills and on Kangaroo Island talking to kids and grownups. Thank you to all the many people who worked with Kristin Darell the program manager at Children’s Laureate Foundation to […]
Strange luminous blue cat perched on a red branch in the night.
Follow the dragon to Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Jul 03: Australian Children's Laureate News , Book News
My next stop in South Australia as Australian Children’s Laureate was to Kangaroo Island. Over two days, I spoke at the three primary schools there – Kingscote, Parndana and Penneshaw campuses. I talked about being Laureate, then about books and writing followed by a dragon drawing workshop. This is Emma from Kingscote campus who kindly […]
A wonderful Laureate visit to Adelaide, Stirling and Hahndorf
Jul 02: Australian Children's Laureate News
This was my first interstate trip as Australian Children’s Laureate. Over the next two years I will be visiting every state and territory in Australia. Thank you to Clive from Penguin Random House for looking after me so well, taking me to visit bookshops around Adelaide and into the hills. The photo below was taken […]
Cat Ghost doodle
Jun 25: From My Sketchbook
Happy snaps from my bookshop visits in Sydney and Melbourne. I love booksellers. I love my job.
Super special afternoon we had with Australian children’s Laureate and Master Storyteller
Jun 12: Book News
What a super special afternoon we had with Australian children’s laureate and master storyteller Gabrielle Wang We listened to her read from her wonderful new book Zadie Ma and the dog who chased the moon, she taught us how to draw dragons and gave us some brilliant writing tips. We talked a lot about imagination […]
I so enjoyed speaking with Katherine Collette on The First Time Podcast Our conversation covered: Stories and storytelling as a part of early life Growing up Chinese-Australian in a very white Australia Prophetic dreams Mentor Hazel Edwards, author of There’s a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake Rejection Magical experiences in life Writing process – […]
Hosting the book launch of : Zadie Ma and the Dog who Chased the Moon by Gabrielle Wang
Jun 06: Book News
We had the most wonderful afternoon hosting the book launch of : Zadie Ma and the Dog who Chased the Moon by Gabrielle Wang. Gabi shared her inspiration for writing this beautiful book about courage, friendship and the power of stories. Gabrielle is an author and illustrator and the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2022-23. We […]
I’m loving the audiobook of Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon. Veronica Chan in action in the Penguin Audio Australia recording studio, has made such a beautiful reading and captured the feeling I wanted to convey so perfectly. The audio version is slightly different from the print version. Obviously it was impossible […]
As Australian Children’s Laureate each month I create a new writing and drawing activity for children. This month it’s Imagine a Forest. And here are 6 amazing facts about these lungs of the earth.
My first Laureate presentation – a writing and drawing workshop at the Immigration Museum Melbourne
Mar 30: Australian Children's Laureate News
My first workshop as the Australian Children’s Laureate was held yesterday at the Immigration Museum I couldn’t think of a better place to begin my ‘Follow the Dragon’ tour around Australia. I had fun working with students from the Victorian College for the Deaf and from my mum’s old school, University High. You can see […]
Imagine a Story
Mar 21: Book News
Kids, teachers, librarians, parents and caregivers, did you know that there are free downloads on the @ozchildrenslaureate website? To download an Imagine a Story dragon poster, book plates or book marks plus this month’s hermit crab activity go to https://www.childrenslaureate.org.au/free-laureate-downloads.
Almost there. I’m finishing the last few illustrations for my middle grade novel, Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon and reading through the proofs. This is the dedication page and it reads, “For Rusty, and all the other dogs who were lost and never found their way home.” The photo is of […]
As Australian Children’s Laureate, every month I post up a writing and drawing activity to keep kids’ imaginations strong on the Children’s Laureate Foundation website. March’s protagonist is the hermit crab. Here’s an amazing fact about these beautiful creatures. As they grow, hermit crabs need to find empty shells. With some species, when a crab finds […]
I will be able to pick up some great tips for my two year laureateship from these two wonderful past Australian Children’s Laureates, Allison Lester and Leigh Hobbs.
Children’s Laureate for 2022-2023 at the State Library of Victoria on Tuesday. The Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation and I have been working very hard over the past year preparing the program for the next 2 years. Thank you to the board especially to the incredible program manager Kris Darrell and graphic designer/illustrator extraordinaire Lee Burgemeestre. […]
Hi everyone, Happy Chinese Lunar Year of the Tiger. This year it’s the water tiger. I’ve drawn a lot of tigers over the years because they’re one of my favourite animals. I like drawing dogs too, but the Year of the Dog is not until 2030 which is quite a long way off. Some of […]
Children’s Storytelling Workshop at the State Library of Victoria during the school holidays
Mar 19: Booktalk
I’m really looking forward to these sessions, my first face to face with children in more than a year. Last year all my school and library sessions were online due to Victoria’s long Covid lockdown. As much as I appreciate Zoom and Webex and other platforms, there’s nothing like connecting with your audience on a […]
This year is the metal ox so you should wear a piece of metal each day. If you belong to this sign like I do then you should also wear something red each day. Last night I hunted around the house for something red. I found the perfect thing in this tiny ruby ring my […]
On my walk today I met a dog called Tulip so now Tulip has become the name of Mr Shoeberry’s Clydesdale in my current work in progress. Mr Shoeberry is my fictitious milkman. I remember the clip, clop of hooves on the road before dawn and the clinking of milk bottles as the empty ones […]
Tiny of the Forest
Nov 03: A Passing Whisper
This illustration is called Tiny of the Forest. When I look at a blank sheet of paper, my mind is blank too. Then I draw some random pencil lines and an image slowly emerges. If I made random lines 15 minutes later, a different illustration would come out of them. I love working like this. […]
New Prints in my Shop
Jun 22: Uncategorized
I’ve updated my print shop and added a lot of new illustrations. I get so much joy from painting. I love the whole process from pencil rough to mixing colours to feeling the stroke of brush on paper. I first outline in black ink with a very fine brush, then paint with Schmincke watercolor blocks […]
My son Ren celebrated his birthday last week so I painted him a picture. We had a Zoom family dinner this year because of lockdown and I couldn’t bake him a birthday cake. When this is all over being together with family again will be something to cherish. Not that I ever took it for […]
During this incredible historical moment I feel it is important to record what’s going on in our lives even if it is just for our grandchildren and their children and future generations of our family. We are all practicing self distancing ie keeping 1.5m away from each other unless we live together, and some of […]
One of my New Year’s resolutions is to write a regular blog post. I have very much admired my dear friend and fellow author, Corinne Fenton who, without fail writes a post every Wednesday. I’m not good at keeping NY’s resolutions but I’ll see how I go. I have just come back from Sydney. It […]
I was born in Melbourne in an era when there were few Chinese. My great grandfather, like many of his compatriots came to the Victorian goldfields from China in the 1850’s to search for gold. When it ran out most of the Chinese diggers returned to their homeland. My great grandfather was one of the […]
Reader’s Review Competition Write a book review for your chance to win a prize pack of free books and a visit to Penguin publishing house in Melbourne The competition opens on Wednesday 24 April 2019 and closes at 5pm on Saturday 6 July 2019. This year, the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge (PRC) is running its first ever reader’s review competition […]
Clunes Booktown Festival
Mar 23: Book News
Come along to Clunes Booktown Festival May 4-5th I’ll be appearing in 3 events – A panel session ‘Reading to Escape or Face Reality’ In Conversation about my latest middle grade novel Ting Ting the Ghosthunter An illustration and writing workshop for 8-12 year olds. You can book tickets HERE I hope to see you […]
In this world full of hate I hope as a children’s author/illustrator that my stories and pictures help young people to learn about and respect the differences in others. And that those of us who stand on the outside looking in, take pride and joy in what makes us different.
It is a tradition in China to paste up Spring Couplets to welcome in the Chinese New Year and so this year we did. This poem talks about spring which of course in China is on its way. In Australia we can only imagine. The couplet says – Amongst the five rivers and four seas […]
I was walking down Swanston Street alone one day, near the City Baths, (I was about 15 years old) when I saw a homeless man coming towards me. He looked rough – dirty clothes, unshaven, the type of man whose age has been obliterated by hard times. I braced myself. Experience had taught me that […]
https://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/stories/become-ghost-hunter-china Watch out for the pus-eating ‘tumour ghosts’ Author and illustrator Gabrielle Wang won the prestigious Aurealis Award for best children’s fiction with her novel A Ghost in My Suitcase, a young adult story about ghost-hunting traditions in China. The book has been adapted by playwright Vanessa Bates into a stage blockbuster of the same […]
My New Look Website
Oct 30: A Passing Whisper
My new website is up. Thank you, Jin & Co. I felt like I needed a change from my old site which I’ve had for quite a number of years. Over those years my tastes and my illustrations have changed. I do a lot more illustration work and I thought that the look of my […]
The Melbourne season of A Ghost in My Suitcase is over. I’m exhausted but I’m sure the cast and crew of Barking Gecko Theatre are more so. There have been sensational reviews of the play! I cannot be any prouder. Here are some of them. 4 1/2 STARS Kelly-Louise Austin (Theatre People). “The themes of […]
After almost three years the play has arrived! Taken outside the Arts Centre last Monday with Felix Ching Ching Ho, myself and Matt Edgerton The Beginning The email that began this incredible journey – March 1, 2016 Hi Gabrielle, I’m the Artistic Director of Barking Gecko Theatre Company, based in Perth, and I’m writing to […]
Please join me to celebrate the launch of my latest middle grade novel, Ting Ting the Ghosthunter (the sequel to A Ghost in My Suitcase).
Thank you to everyone who entered A Ghost in My Suitcase colouring competition. There were 35 entries and they were all fantastic! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PRIZE WINNERS! 1st PRIZE Aditi 10 years old from NSW I loved the fine detail Aditi put into her drawing. The colours are lovely and vibrant. The whole painting gives […]
I am thrilled to announce that the play of my novel A Ghost in My Suitcase will be premiering at the Playhouse Theatre Arts Centre Melbourne as part of this year’s Melbourne International Arts Festival. The wonderful creators at Barking Gecko Theatre have been developing the play for nearly 3 years and I cannot wait […]
To celebrate the World Premiere of the play at the Playhouse Theatre Melbourne and a new cover for A Ghost in My Suitcase, I am holding a colouring competition for 7 – 12 year olds. 1st PRIZE A signed fine art print plus a personally signed copy of A Ghost in My Suitcase. 2nd […]
Work and Travel
Jul 10: A Passing Whisper
Travelling is an essential part of being a writer and illustrator. There is travelling for research which I do often. For example while researching the bombing of Darwin during World War Two for the Our Australian Girl Pearlie series, I spent a week there feeling it, smelling it, getting an idea of the lay of […]
Here is the cover for my next novel for 10 + readers. Ting Ting the Ghosthunter is the sequel to Ghost in My Suitcase. It is an adventure story about finding yourself, ghost-hunting, Chinese mythology and culture. Thirteen-year-old Ting Ting has learned the ancient skills and art of ghost hunting from her adopted grandmother, Por Por, a famous ghost hunter. […]
It has always been on my wish-list to attend the Bologna Children’s Book Fair while at the same time continue learning Italian, so in March this year that’s what I did. MY ACCOMMODATION I booked via Airbnb, a one bedroom apartment in S. Petronio Vecchio, a lovely quiet colonnaded street 15 minutes from Piazza Maggiore […]
This is a diagram showing the process each of my major novels go through – from spark, to birth, to crisis/self-doubt, to calm, to completion. What will never change is that dreadful moment of crisis and self-doubt. My mind goes through mental torture at that stage. But then I push through that and get to […]
Ursula Le Guin is my literary hero. Her translation of the Chinese classic, ‘Lao Tzu Tao Te Ching, A Book About the Way and the Power of the Way’ is my bible and if I was allowed only one book to take with me to a desert island it would be that one. In the […]
What’s on in 2018
Jan 01: Book News
The first half of this year is filled with exciting happenings and much travel. Chinese painting, Port Fairy, writers’ festival, Perth, art exhibition, Melbourne, children’s book fair, Bologna, volcanoes, Hawaii, Ting Ting the Ghost Hunter launch, Melbourne, Ting Ting the Ghost Hunter bookshop and schools tour, Brisbane. At the end of January, I’ll be travelling down the […]
What a fun weekend us illustrators had at Anne Spudvilas’ place on the Murray. The River House was the perfect setting to share ideas, relax and illustrate. Anne gave us a workshop where we made a concertina book on watercolour paper. Here’s the finished book laid out to dry in the sun. So I’ll now […]
This is my latest book where I retell two traditional Chinese fables – The Magic Fishbones which is an early Cinderella story. It first appeared in Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang by Duan Chengshi around 860. The other story is The Weaver Girl and the Cowherd. It is one of the four great fables of China. It […]
This is a big thank you to the schools who hosted me during Children’s Book Month!
Sep 17: A Passing Whisper
Farah Kausar and myself at Minaret College. I received so many hugs from the children after my talk it was lovely. Visiting schools during Children’s Book Week which falls in August is an essential part of being an author and illustrator. I love meeting my young readers and spending the time in the school libraries. […]
This is my entry to the Migrations Postcard exhibition held in Bratislava, Slovakia. The exhibition hopes to draw attention to the plight of thousands of children and their families who are forced to flee their homes. It will feature original postcards of birds by illustrators from all over the world.
This giveaway is to celebrate school and public libraries throughout Australia. Librarians and libraries need all the support we can give them so I made this poster for them. If you are a library and would like a poster to hang on the wall please email me and I will send you one, two or […]
The past few months
Jun 17: A Passing Whisper
It has been a tumultuous few months with the death of my lovely mum who was 92 years old. She lived a long and healthy life, and an exciting one too. You can read her adventures in my YA novel Little Paradise . Mum’s secret to longevity she said was to laugh a lot and have […]
The Beast of Hushing Wood has received some very good reviews. This one is particularly thoughtful.
May 10: Book News
Review taken from The Never Ending Bookshelf Recommended for children 10 -13 years old. The Beast Of Hushing Wood is an adventure style novel perfect from children on the cusp of young adulthood, but not necessarily ready for the older themes of Young Adult books. It’s the kind of book that will appeal to adventure/risk […]
It was a very happy day on Sunday for the launch of The Beast of Hushing Wood. Thank you to everyone who came and to those who couldn’t make it but sent their well wishes, thank you also.
Spirited Away: Gabrielle Wang on ‘The Beast of Hushing Wood’ Interview with Bookseller & Publisher
Mar 03: A Passing Whisper
The Beast of Hushing Woods is set in a world that weaves together a variety of mythologies. Were there any particular myths or cultures that inspired the story? A trip to Morocco planted the seed for this story. The landscape, the colours, the people so filled my imagination that I knew one day a novel would […]
I painted a fire rooster with two little dogs in attendance. They can’t wait for 2018 when it will be their turn. I do love painting dogs. This year Chinese New Year falls on January 28th Rooster characteristics Those born under the sign of the Rooster are easygoing and never shy. They like reading and […]
I am very happy to reveal the cover of my forthcoming novel The Beast of Hushing Wood. Ziggy Truegood has always felt like an outsider and lately she has been having dreams that she is going to drown on her twelfth birthday. She lives in a tiny town deep in Hushing Wood, where strange things […]
Looking to entertain your children musically in Melbourne next week? This is a one off show for 5 – 8 years old. Friday January 13, at 11 am If you come along I’ll be there so please say hello. There will be no books available to purchase but if you have your own copy, I […]
Happy 2017!
Jan 03: A Passing Whisper
Be kind and true. Let us celebrate diversity, nature, art, imagination and creativity and maybe the world will be a better place.
2016 has been a big year – a year of travelling, of finishing a new novel, of publishing an old one, of making new friends. But sadly, it has been a year where we have lost two very special people, both who were also wonderful illustrators and authors – vale Narelle Oliver and Kevin Burgemeestre. […]
The Beast of Hushing Wood – the tribulations and trials of a work in progress
Sep 13: A Passing Whisper
The Beast of Hushing Wood In May, I travelled to the US, to the Berkshire woods to further research my forthcoming novel The Beast of Hushing Wood. I saw squirrels and chipmunks, woodpeckers and deer. I stayed with a friend in her beautiful house on the edge of the woods overlooking Williamstown in Massachusetts. Her very […]
Little Bee – a new picture book Varuna, the Writers’ House in the Blue Mountains has enveloped me in its magical mists once again. Whenever I go on a writing retreat, I set myself a specific project. I know where I’ll start and I know what I want to achieve by the end of it. […]
Illustrating I’ve been illustrating a lot lately, working on a picture book just for fun. I remember how I used to love drawing when I was a kid, filling many books with pictures of dogs and horses. This is one I drew when I was 10 with my 72 Derwent pencils. And now I feel […]
Can you name my dog?
Mar 10: Book News
It’s been a busy few months. My gorgeous daughter, Lei Lei was married in February and now she’s off on her honeymoon road-tripping around the US. I took this in the bridal car as we headed to the ceremony. So now it’s back to writing and illustrating and thinking about story. Really though, once you’re […]
I’m superstitious. It goes hand in hand with believing in magical things which is why I write the kind of books I do. So when Chinese New Year Day comes around, or Spring Festival as it is called in China, I follow some of the traditions. I’m selective though. I follow only the ones that […]
The Magical Mists of Varuna
Jan 26: Book News
For the past week I have been writing at Varuna, the beautiful writers’ retreat in the Blue Mountains. Every time I go there, and this is my third visit, I come away with an incredible sense of achievement and satisfaction. It has to do with being in the mountains, in the quiet, in a writer’s […]