7th May Nonny Hogrogian (1932) Peter Carey (1943)

Nonny Hogrogian is an American author/illustrator who has won the Caldecott Award twice, once for her very first book, Always Room For One More and secondly for One Fine Day, a retelling of an Armenian tale.

Peter Carey is an Australian novelist, best known for his adult novels which have won many awards. He has won the Booker Prize twice and the Miles Franklin Award three times, but he has written a children's novel, The Big Bazoohley, a story about nine year old pyjama-clad Sam who is locked out of the hotel room he is staying in with his parents. This story is such a success with children that it is a shame Carey hasn't written more for children in the way Tim Winton has.

Interestingly, Carey lives in New York and teaches at Hunter College and Nonny Hogrogian, who was born in New York is a graduate of Hunter College!

9th January

Continuing yesterday's Summer theme, I thought today I would make some suggestions for Australian books about the beach and holidays at the beach. Of course, there is Alison Lester's Magic Beach with its irresistible illustrations that make you want to be swimming in those waves too. Next, another oldie, but goodie, Greetings From Sandy Beach by Bob Graham. Every Australian family that has ever been camping, had someone be sick in the car or met bikies will relate well to this and if they haven't it is still a good laugh. Thirdly, Tim Winton's The Deep, a family story about the youngest child being brave enough to swim in deep water by herself. Roland Harvey's At the Beach with its postcards home to the grandparents telling all about the children's holiday at Crabby Spit. Australia at the Beach by Max Fatchen should be on this list too, but I want to feature it on Australia Day because it is about the archetypal beach celebration for commemorating this Australian holiday. And lastly, a chapter book which is also about the beach and camping, Skating on Sand by Libby Gleeson. This is the story of Hannah, the younger sister of twin older sisters who give her a hard time about skating, but Hannah's perseverance and obstinacy pays off.

4th August Laurence Anholt (1959) Tim Winton (1960)

Laurence Anholt has collaborated with his wife Catherine on a large number of picture books, among them the series about twins Chimp and Zee, but he also has a series of books that he has done on his own about artists. These are particularly good for introducing young children to famous artists and their paintings. The facts are embedded in a story which keeps the child's interest initially and then they can explore the art on subsequent readings. There are books about Leonardo (Leonardo and the Flying Boy), Picasso (Picasso and the Girl with the Ponytail), Matisse (Matisse, King of Colour), Van Gogh (Camille and the Sunflowers), Degas (Degas and the Little Dancer) and Monet (The Magical Garden of Claude Monet).

Laurence also has a series of books called Seriously Silly which plays with nursery rhymes and fairytales to mix them up to the point where although recognisable they have become very funny. These are just three of the fun titles: The Emperor's Underwear; Rumply Crumply Stinky Pin; and Snow White and the Seven Aliens.

Australian author, Tim Winton is better known as a writer for adults than children, but each time he ventures into the children's realm he comes up with a winner. The children in the library love the beginning novel The Bugalugs Bum Thief and the picture book The Deep.