Author: christmaspresspicturebooks

A fantastic evening yesterday at Leichhardt Library in Sydney, where Ursula Dubosarsky’s and David Allan’s beautiful book, Two Tales of Twins from Ancient Greece and Rome, got its big-city launch. Author and Christmas Press co-founder Sophie Masson launched the book, and Karen Johnson, children’s services librarian at Leichhardt, introduced the evening. A fantastic crowd of readers of all ages were there to celebrate the book and its two creators, who were kept busy signing!

Thank you so much to Leichhardt Library, especially Karen and Judy, for a wonderfully warm and welcoming atmosphere full of the joy of reading, the perfect setting for the evening. And the delicious biscuits too!

Yesterday Fiona McDonald’s beautiful toyshop in Uralla, Granny Fi’s Toy Cupboard, was the site for the New England launch of the latest Christmas Press title, Two Tales of Twins from Ancient Greece and Rome, by Ursula Dubosarsky and David Allan.

Though Ursula couldn’t be there–she will be attending the Sydney launch–David was there to represent the two creators, and the book was launched by one of Ursula’s good friends and fellow children’s books writer, Duncan Ball, who was in New England as the featured guest of the Booked In festival of children’s and YA literature.

It was a lovely occasion, with several other established and emerging creators of children’s books present: including Steven Axelsen, Anne Spudvilas, Danny Stanley, Sophie Masson, Fiona McDonald, Beattie Alvarez,  Annie Jessop and Teresa van der Kraan, and lots of interested readers and lovers of books! Duncan made a fabulous speech, there was chocolate mud cake and strawberries, and a good time was had by all!

And remember, for those of you in Sydney–next week is the Sydney launch of the book, on Thursday August 21 at 6pm, at Leichhardt Library. Both Ursula and David will be in attendance. All welcome!

Here are some photos of the Uralla launch.

Two launches coming up very soon for our new title, the wonderful Two Tales of Twins from Ancient Greece and Rome, retold by Ursula Dubosarsky and illustrated by David Allan.

The first is to be held in Uralla during the Booked In festival of children’s literature, on Saturday August 16, at 4.30 pm. It will be held at the Festival venue, Granny Fi’s Toy Cupboard, 42 Bridge St Uralla. The book is to be launched by Booked In featured guest Duncan Ball, and the illustrator, David Allan will be present. Books and merchandise for sale.

The second launch will be held in Sydney, at Leichhardt Library on Thursday August 21 at 6pm. The book will be launched by Sophie Masson, books will be for sale, and Ursula Dubosarsky and David Allan will both be present to sign your copies! All welcome, light refreshments provided. More info and bookings, call 02 9367 9347.

Great news–we are now represented in France by the fabulous Lora Fountain Literary Agency, which will be handling all French-language translation rights for us and speaking to French publishers about our books. Watch this space!

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!

Two Selkie Stories from Scotland is officially released this week–on May 1–and to celebrate, enjoy this fabulous post by Kate Forsyth and Fiona McDonald on the story behind the stories, just published on Kids’ Book Review.

There’s a giveaway attached to it too, get your entry in now!