Then, we blend those sentiments with our here and now. It’s like tying the pieces together to form some kind of warm and fuzzy ball of string that comes back around in a full circle (or something like that!).
The
Just Write For Kids anthology – Our Australian HeART – was inspired by
this very ball-of-string collection of moments for me.
As a new migrant in the mid-80s, many first experiences that struck chords for me as a young child were our regular family road trips along the south and east coasts of Australia. We did the BIGs and the littles, the wilds and the mesmerising. Acquiring souvenirs was a highlight, but so was acquiring a sense of curiosity, imagination, appreciation, and a new kind of belonging.
What I also discovered early on was Australian art. And in particular, the art of Ken Done. Yes, iconic in that era, but his vivid colours and intricate details of popular Australian locations were always kind of like reading and enjoying a picture book in my eyes.
So,
fast forward to a few years into the foundation of Just Write For Kids – an
online space for children’s authors and illustrators to collectively engage and
support one another’s creative journeys. Our ‘Pitch It! Competition’ for
writers was already established, but my heart had space for another. I longed
for a collaborative project that raised opportunities for the talented
creatives who literally bring visual magic to the pages in our beloved picture books
– the illustrators.
Finally,
in 2023, enter the first ‘Picture It! Competition’ for author-illustrators!
We’re producing an anthology!
Now,
what have my childhood memories and experiences got to do with this anthology?
Answer:
Everything!
Our Australian HeART is a colourful look into the lens of Australia – a culmination of sixteen unique and vivid Australian art pieces (move over, Ken Done!) and heartfelt words capturing each contributors’ hearts about a treasured part of their country. From the BIGs to the littles, the wilds to the mesmerising. We have hopes that it will be appreciated and explored. We aim for it to spark creativity, curiosity and the imagination. And most importantly, we’d love for this book to be simply enjoyed.
Our contributing artists include:
- Rachael Robertson
- Bridget
Acreman
- Suzanne Barton
- Mel Corrigan and Rhonda Ooi
- Kim de Haan
- Michele Dodd
- Alisha Dyer
- Naomi
Eccles-Smith
- Hannah Friend
- Daniela
Glyntzos
- Imogen
Hartland
- Jacqui Hewlett
- Carla
Hoffenberg
- Jennifer Horn
- Jessica and
Lorraine Miller
- Jeanette
Stampone
Don't forget to check out the fantastic review of Our Australian HeART by our own resident artist and reviewer, Elizabeth Vercoe!
Romi Sharp is the director of Just Write For Kids Australia and publicist / marketing
manager of Books On Tour PR & Marketing. She is supremely fond of reading,
writing and reviewing picture books, and the teacher in her loves to extract
every possible angle by exploring their possibilities with animation, graphics,
fun and educational resources, and topical content.
Romi
lives in Melbourne in a suburb aplenty with Oodles, cafes with good hot
chocolate and easy access to books and nature – things that inspire a healthy
dose of ideas and creativity!
Explore the Just Write For Kids website or follow their Facebook page and Support page.
For more information on this anthology visit the Our Australian HeART website.
Learn more about Books On Tour PR & Marketing via Instagram.
