Month: May 2014

Wednesday May 21 saw the Sydney launch of Two Selkie Stories from Scotland at Berkelouw Books in Balgowlah. Great to see so many kids there too!

On Saturday May 10, Christmas Press celebrated the launch of Two Selkie Stories from Scotland, on our home turf of New England, with a fantastic event hosted in the gorgeous Granny Fi’s  Toy Cupboard in Uralla.

Both author Kate Forsyth and illustrator Fiona McDonald were present at the launch of their beautiful book, with renowned fantasy author Ian Irvine performing the launch honours to a supportive and enthusiastic crowd of readers of all ages. Thanks to everyone who helped to make this such a memorable event: to Kate Forsyth and daughter Ella, for flying up from Sydney to celebrate with us (and thanks for the champagne, too!); to Ian Irvine for a fantastic launch speech; to Susan Heaney and John Stangeland of Heaneys Performers in Print for not only being present to celebrate with us, but also providing the fabulous launch banner; to Michelle Wheatley  from Readers Companion Bookshop, for providing Kate’s other books for sale; to Victoria Nugent and Lucas Forbes, for the great pre-launch publicity; to Ron Vickress, for the atmospheric Scottish music; and to Teresa, Fiona and Beattie for making the shop such a great place to sell books and have fun! And of course thank you to all who attended.

Most of all, huge congratulations to Kate and Fiona, who have created such a hauntingly lovely book, one that a reviewer, quoting Keats, has called ‘a thing of beauty–a joy forever’.

Below is a gallery of photos from the launch–enjoy!

Today is the local launch day of Two Selkie Stories from Scotland, and we’ve started the day with a lovely surprise: a great write-up about the book and Christmas Press in today’s ‘Undercover’ column by Susan Wyndham in the Spectrum section of the Sydney Morning Herald! Link to the piece here.

In the latest issue of Buzz Words magazine, a lovely review by Anastasia Gonis of Two Selkie Stories from Scotland.  Following is an extract, with the full review available here.

These two stories have mythological origins drawn from Scottish folklore. They are something far more magical than fairytales. This is due to Kate Forsyth’s insightful and poetic retelling, combined with the beauty of Fiona McDonald’s equally insightful illustrations. These two creators have links to Scottish ancestry. This connecting thread adds a personal and authentic element to the translation.

The print and pages are delicate as is the content and overall design. This is the second publication by the new Christmas Press, with two more books planned for release before the end of the year. Collectors, be on the alert, as these productions are works of art in every sense.

Fantastic full-page review in the May issue of Good Reading magazine for Two Selkie Stories from Scotland! The reviewer gave it five stars–and deservedly so!