Meet the Roving Reporters: Sarah Wallace & Maria Parenti-Baldey

Days lengthen and colours intensify. Not long till summer now… And not long until you get to meet the fantastic SCBWI 2019 Sydney Conference team. But why wait? Today, meet two more of our colourful Roving Reporter team. Wave your blossom pom poms about for:

Sarah Wallace

Sarah Wallace is a writer and reviewer with a passion for education and children’s literature. She is a children’s book reviewer for Kids’ Book Review and has been regularly publishing reviews for the last couple of years on everything from picture books to middle grade novels to non-fiction reference books. Sarah loves writing in all its forms and has been busy penning her own stories in recent times, some of which she hopes to eventually publish.

Sarah is actively involved in the children’s literature community, regularly attending and volunteering her time at SCBWI, CBCA and ACT Writers Centre events. In 2017, she was a judge in the Children’s Book Council of Australia ACT Branch Make Your Own Story Book Competition. She had the pleasure of reading some of the picture books created by talented primary school students and seeing their delight at accepting their prizes at the awards ceremony.

Sarah has spent most of her career in government education policy and advocates for the role of literature in education. She was worked for the Australian Government Department of Education and Training for 18 years and for the last 10 years has specialised in early childhood education policy. She holds a BA (English) and Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

Is this your first SCBWI Conference? If not how many have you attended, where?

Yes this is my first SCWBI conference, although I have attended numerous smaller local SCBWI events around the ACT region.

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

I’m looking forward to sharing my passion with like minded people, discovering new and exciting talents in children’s literature and hearing and learning from a range of experienced speakers.

What endears you most about the Kids’ Literary Industry and your role in it?

The Kids’ Literary Industry is filled with the most supportive and genuine people, who all have a passion for what they do. I love being a part of it as I truly believe in the power of children’s books to shape futures and change lives.

Name one thing you cannot live without.

Books, of course. Silly question really.

You can join Sarah’s journey at: www.sarahjwallace.com

It’s time to star-jump for:

Maria Parenti-Baldey

Maria is a primary teacher, public speaker and journalist. She has worked in public relations (PR) and communications. She is passionate about connecting children to authors and illustrator through books – particularly in rural areas. Her blog includes authors, illustrators and storytellers workshop tips.

Her recent achievements include:

• 2018 BookLinks News – monthly newsletter

• Australian Children’s Poetry – ‘The Anzac Many’

• Poets Up Late, performed ‘One Way on the Bus’, ‘The Airport’ and a children’s poem ‘Christmas Bellyaches’ being published in Share Your Story, ‘It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas’ 2018 anthology.

• StoryLinks reviewer – part of Brisbane BookLinks Qld & WriteLinks

• Making authors and illustrators ‘real’ for children through performance and rich book experiences of picture books.

• Longlisted Greenleaf Press 2017 Picture Book competition with Cecilia Cicada

• Published ekphrastic poem, ‘We Are Travellers’ — Dr June Perkins' Ripple Poetry.

• Published over 100 stories in Townsville Bulletin and The Sun Newspaper during Journalism degree.

• Writerly Wisdom blog posts about book creators.

• Reviews Children’s Books on blog.

Is this your first SCWBI Conference?

Yes! It will be my first SCBWI conference.

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

My most memorable experience was when I encountered my first author, Libby Gleeson at the Narelle Oliver lecture, June 2017.

What endears you most about the Kids’ Literary Industry and your role in it?

After attending several conferences and workshops, I’ve come to believe children will strengthen their connection to books when they realise the names on book covers are real people. This is what I’d like to perpetuate.

Name one thing you cannot live without.

One thing I can’t live without is having a quiet space curled up with a cuppa and a book. (No argument there!)

For more images and ideas from Maria, pop by: www.mariaparentibaldey.com

Bring your sunhat and visit our garden again next week to meet more of our team. Till then,

Rove ya’ later!

Dimity (Head Gardener)

www.dimitypowell.com

#SCBWISyd

Images courtesy Tania McCartney

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Meet the Roving Reporters: Cherri Ryan and Yvonne Mes

The winds of change occasionally deliver divine surprises: the scent of new beginnings, the hint of new ideas, a promise of something exceptional. Today we meet two more exceptional members of our SCBWI Sydney 2019 Conference Roving Reporters Team.

Find a shady spot to sit back and welcome:

Cherri Ryan

Cherri Ryan is an author who is inspired by the children and families she cared for as a family doctor in Australia for almost twenty years. When she is not writing or reviewing fabulous children’s stories for Kids’ Book Review, Cherri works in medical education, and enjoys helping organisations that help others.

In 2016, one of Cherri’s stories was animated and projected onto Brisbane City Hall as the Christmas Lights Spectacular. Cherri’s debut picture book, Spirit, illustrated by Christina Booth and published by Black Dog Books (an imprint of Walker Books Australia), follows a young girl with creativity, courage and sailing dreams.

Cherri lives in Queensland, Australia, with her family, one cat, two guinea pigs and many visiting birds and possums. Cherri believes in hope, joy, perseverance and the power of stories.

Is this your first SCWBI Conference?

Yes! And I am very much looking forward to it!

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

I am looking forward to meeting some friends I’ve known through social media for several years in real life!

What endears you most about the Kids’ Literary Industry and your role in it?

I love the way everyone in this field is so supportive of each other and encouraging. There is never fighting over who gets the piece of pie, there is only ever more pie!

Name one thing you cannot live without.

My family.

Sail away with Cherri on her literary journey at: www.cherriryan.com

Now, enjoy the breeze and meeting:

Yvonne Mes

Yvonne Mes is a children’s author and illustrator from Brisbane. She writes fiction and non-fiction including picture books, junior fiction and short stories and has recently started designing pop-up story boxes. Her stories expand perspectives and invite feelings.

Her picture book Meet Sidney Nolan was published by Penguin Random House in 2015 and her picture book Oliver's Grumbles was re-released with Yellow Brick Books in 2017. Her short story 'A Starry Christmas' was animated and projected onto Brisbane City Hall over Christmas for two weeks. She is currently illustrating her first picture book.You can find more of her short stories in The School Magazine and anthologies.

Yvonne delivers presentations for grown-ups and is happiest when reading and performing stories with children (or grown-ups, or chickens).

Yvonne is on the Book Links Executive Committee, coordinates Write Links for children’s authors and illustrators and is a member of SCBWI, QWC and several other professional bodies.

Is this your first SCWBI Conference? If not how many have you attended, where?

Nope, this is my third in Sydney!

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

They were all inspiring in different ways, but I did get my first publishing contract after meeting an editor during my first conference, so that is hard to top!

What endears you most about the Kids’ Literary Industry and your role in it?

The shared passion of the power and beauty of story, whether written or visually.

Name one thing you cannot live without.

A THING right? You wouldn't want to make me choose between my kids! Let me think ... Yes! Hope. And Dreams. and Love. Ohh, now I have gone all metaphysical, that's OK, right? Right? Is that alright? Hmm, perhaps I can't live without validation... Is that a THING? Help!

We call that ‘mango madness’ in Queensland, Yvonne. But who doesn’t love mangoes!

Unearth more of Yvonne’s words and art at: www.yvonnemes.com

For more sweet insights into our team be sure to visit our garden again next week. Till then,

Rove ya later!

Dimity (Head Gardener)

#SCBWISyd

www.dimitypowell.com

Images courtesy of Tania McCartney

Meet the Roving Reporters: Ramona Davy and Leanne Barrett

Around Australia Jacaranda blooms the colour of our Roving Reporter badge carpet our parks and driveways. They herald spring in the most vivid luxuriant way. Today I’d like to herald two more of our colourful reporters. Each is a burgeoning artist, avid reader, wordsmith and lover of the colour lavender. Please shake your blossoms about for:

Ramona Davey

SCBWI New Member Co-ordinator

Ramona lives in Sydney and teaches Visual Arts to children from Kindergarten to Year 6 at a local primary school.

She illustrates in her spare time and writes picture books, junior fiction and middle grade novels for children. She has a particular passion for funny stories and historical fiction.

Here is a recent competition entry:

A Fund Day Out - Painted paper collage

Is this your first SCBWI Conference?

This will be my 3rd SCBWI Conference in Sydney.

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

Every SCBWI Conference has been memorable for different reasons. Whether it is the night before networking drinks, mingling with new members at lunchtime or getting to know the editors, without SCBWI I would not have made all the friends I have made within this fabulous writing community.

What endears you most about the Kids’ Literary Industry and your role in it?

Trying to be a published author/illustrator takes lots of hard work, persistence and resilience. The best thing about the Kids’ Literary Industry is the support, especially on days you want to give up. And then a new idea pops in your head and you want to be part of it all over again.

Name one thing you cannot live without.

One thing I cannot live without is my twin cats Storm and Merlin (sorry, I know that’s two but if I chose only one of them the other would know.)

Step into Ramona’s beautiful world here at: www.ramonadavey.com

Now have a peak behind the blossom shower at:

Leanne Barrett

Leanne is new to the illustrator and writer side of children’s literature.

As a child who suffered from regular nightmares, she would study her books and their illustrations to transport her mind to another world, a place of comfort and beauty. At university she developed a passion for picture books and once again it was their illustrations that especially resonated with her.

During her years as a parent and teacher librarian Leanne loved to promote reading, especially free voluntary reading. Her next step into the book world was volunteering for The Children’s Book Council of Australia ACT Branch. It was during this time that Leanne began to meet and support local writers and illustrators. She found that these creative people reawakened her dreams of creating images and stories.

In 2017 Leanne decided to make her dream of becoming an artist and writer a full-time commitment. Her first step was joining the 52-Week Illustration Challenge. She immersed herself in learning about her craft by attending conferences, workshops both face-to-face and online, joining illustrators and writers groups IRL and on SM. She also returned to reviewing books for Kids’ Book Review after a 5 year break.

Now most days of the week you can find Leanne in her study/studio creating illustrations and sometimes writing. But her first love is illustrating. Most of Leanne’s illustrations are created using ink and watercolours but she would love to branch out and explore lino and block printing. One of Leanne’s favourite things to illustrate is silhouettes of chickens doing adventure activities. When not creating Leanne can be seen walking her nine year old Australian Terrier, Jay or browsing the picture book section of her favourite bookshop.

Is this your first SCBWI Conference?

Yes it is. I am looking forward to learning more and being inspired by the presenters and attendees.

What is the most memorable (SCBWI) Conference experience you’ve had to date, or hope to have?

I am hoping, as a newbie in this journey, that a new ‘ahh ha!’ moment will happen. That the words from at least one presenter or even another attendee will resonate with my creative soul and that it will ignite a thought that will make my imagination fly. Plus meeting my creative friends IRL.

What endears you most about the Kids’ Literary Industry and your role in it?

What endears me to this industry are the stories that transport and touch the heart. These stories come from the books that are created but also from the creators themselves. It is also love the community spirit of this industry. People in the Kids’ Lit World unite in creating joy and understanding in our world. I hope I can contribute to this story by touching hearts and inspiring people to read.

Name one thing you cannot live without.

The first things that pop into my head are family, friends, music and chocolate. But as an illustrator I cannot live without my sketchbook and pigment liners 0.2 – 0.8. These items move with me around the house or are popped into my handbag when I’m away from home. You never know what sights, smells, tastes or sounds can inspire an idea that has to recorded in that moment when my muse whispers into my mind.

Visit Leanne and her adorable chookies at: www.leannebarrett.com

If Jacarandas aren’t your thing, never fear, there are plenty of other blooms to enthrall and delight you in our verdant garden. Be sure to pop back soon to meet more of our team. Till then,

Rove ya later!

Dimity aka Head Gardner

www.dimitypowell.com

#SCBWISyd

Images courtesy of Tania McCartney