The Hub for Just Kids' Lit
Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Bec Nanayakkara and Kim de Haan! We’re delighted to welcome back talented author, Bec Nanayakkara, together with fantastic debut illustrator, Kim de Haan, to chat about their upcoming picture book, The Jolly Swagman. Based on the famous ‘Waltzing Matilda’ by Banjo Paterson, this rich Australian story has been reinterpreted by Bec […]
Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Kym Langfield! It’s a delight to speak with talented author-illustrator, Kym Langfield, about her upcoming picture book, SPLASH! As an artist and art teacher herself, Kym has experienced, first-hand, the positive impact of engaging in creative pursuits as an emotional outlet can have on children’s (and adults’) mental health. With vivid […]
With the summer holidays here in Australia fast approaching, we’re going to need some fun boredom busters for the kids, whilst also reiterating the importance of learning through play, and the importance of siblings who get along! It’s a great time to draw on the antics of Jordan and Toby from Two Can Be Trouble […]
For the second year at Just Write For Kids Australia, we offered an opportunity for author-illustrators of children’s books to submit a piece to our Picture It! Anthology Call-Out. The theme for this year was ‘LOST’, where artists were to interpret the metaphor in their own imagining, and incorporate our two new loveable characters, Walter […]
Just Write For Kids Australia’s annual Pitch It! Competition for Australian writers of picture books, junior fiction and middle grade was held in September, and WOW, what a cracker of a result this year! Every entry deserves to be a winner! The aim was to craft a manuscript pitch, worthy of a publisher’s attention, that […]
With her fourth picture book, Two Can Be Trouble (illus. Paul Nash), just released, we’re privileged to hear from author, Penny Macoun, who delves into her journey with self-publishing and all its glory, trials and tribulations. This route may not be simple, but it certainly has its rewards. Thanks so much for sharing, Penny! 🙂 […]
What a thrill and what a great response from our community as we celebrated the excitement of the 2024 Pitch It! Competition LONGLISTS last week! Again, congratulations to all! Today, we are revealing our fabulous SHORTLISTS for our Picture Book, Non-Fiction Picture Book, Junior Fiction and Middle Grade winners! These talented writers will be awarded […]
Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Verity Croker! We’re delighted to have children’s and YA author, Verity Croker, on the blog, to share her newest, gripping novel for young adult readers, ALBA – Hidden Secrets. After successful writing competition results (Pitch It! 2021) and an ASA mentorship, this is a well-deserved and anticipated publication that will surely […]
#BookReview: Two Can Be Trouble, Penny Macoun (author), Paul Nash (illus.), Macoun Publications, August 2024. Blurb: Brothers can have lots of fun together, but sometimes they can disagree. See what happens when an innocent afternoon of fun turns into complete chaos for two brothers, Toby and Jordan. Review: Who else can relate? Two kids getting […]
Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Adrian Rose! It’s such a pleasure to welcome author, Adrian K. Rose to the blog to share the story behind her new vibrant picture book, The Summertime Elf; An Australian Christmas Story. This gorgeous Christmas tale with a twist takes the joy of all the favourite festive delights and mixes them […]
