Children’s Book Week is a favourite time of year for authors - a chance to meet our readers and share our love of story making. I love nothing more that having the chance to share my passion for oral storytelling and how speaking can clear the bumps in the road to fluent writing.

If i’m very lucky, I might even get to visit a school where the children and staff are dressed up as their favourite characters or sporting some book themed outfit.

I met a shark.

I knew that book fairies existed but this is the first time I’ve spotted one. Great use of old books that would otherwise end in the recycle bin! I’m guessing this gown would be ‘dry clean only’.

And of course, I’m not leaving a school without introducing the students to kamishibai storytelling.

Well we all have our dreams and one of mine has been to tell the story of The Amazing Case of Dr Ward in the Bond Store at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG).

In the Bond Store, amongst a plethora of interesting things, is a permanent exhibition about the global trade and transportation of plants during the 19th century. There is a replica Wardian case, several early microscopes, a flower press, and vasculum and other bits and pieces to excite plant nerds.

The Beaker Street Science Festival is an annual event that celebrates science past and present with talks, debates, music, visual art - its both fabulously entertaining and feast of ideas for hungry minds.

That’s me - grinning like a happy possum!

And if you’d like a copy of my book on the subject, you can order HERE.

Those who know me, know that I love festivals. I love the moosh of ideas, the opportunity to share work and to enjoy what others have been creating. In my neighbourhood, June is the best. First is the Williamstown Literary Festival , aka the Willy Lit Fest. On the west side of the Birrarung (Yarra River), it was, and I think still is, the largest literary event west of the city of Naarm (Melbourne).

The festival like all, has struggled to get back on its feet after Covid. But back it is - with more OOMPH! than ever. The program this year was packed - something for everyone. As well as bringing in events and authors from afar, locals always have a place.

The Home Grown Hobsons Bay table with author Alison Stuart

Sessions are rolled out in the many rooms inside the magnificent Williamstown Town Hall. The ball room is set up as a hub, filled with displays including the festival book shop Book and Paper. Several years ago the Hobsons Bay Library created a Facebook group to connect local writers. Home Grown Hobsons Bay is ever increasing and we always have a table in the hub.

Following the WLF is the Newport Folk Festival, hosted by the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club. Newport is where i live and I’m an enthusiastic folkie. I’ve participated in many of the groups that operate within the Club, learned to play the ukulele and hold a harmony but I found my home in the choir and I coordinate the Newport Storytellers. The Storytellers kicked off the Saturday with a Breakfast Show. Not an easy gig starting at 8.30 am!

My friend and collaborator Sarah Depasquale and me sharing a selkie tale at the Breakfast Show.