a beautifully illustrated call to be wary of first impressions—and to seek out the best in life

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a beautifully illustrated call to be wary of first impressions—and to seek out the best in life

ages 2—8 years
There’s a scene in Emma (by Jane Austen), where Emma is talking to her friend (or plaything depending on your viewpoint) Harriet about a proposal. Emma says, ‘You must be the judge of your own happiness.’—and then proceeds to tell her how to judge her happiness!

Most of us are spared an Emma in our lives—we mostly judge our own happiness and find our own way. But sometimes we can be so secure in our current happiness that it becomes difficult to envision a different happiness.Children are prone to this too.

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life lessons about tipping points and the need for balance

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life lessons about tipping points and the need for balance

ages 0 to 8 years
‘It’s like ...who sank the boat!' That’s how my family often describes an overwhelming day, too much of something, or a time when we've gone one step too far.

In this story, there’s ‘a cow, a donkey, a sheep, a pig and a tiny little mouse’ who decide to go for a row on the bay. One by one, they gingerly climb in the rowboat and restore the equilibrium before the next passenger. Finally it’s the tiny little mouse’s turn and so in it jumps. You can guess what happens next I’m sure!

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meeting (kind of) Jackie French, and picking up wonderful quotes, tips and tricks!

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meeting (kind of) Jackie French, and picking up wonderful quotes, tips and tricks!

I recently attended the annual Queensland Childcare Association conference and I was so excited to be going—but my excitement went through the roof when I heard that the keynote speaker was Jackie French, the author of my favourite novel, I think in the world, To Love a Sunburnt Country!

I have always loved Jackie French! Ever since I was little I enjoyed reading—or mainly having read to me—her books. Probably the first one I heard was Stories to Eat with a Blood Plum. I must have been all of three-years-old

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come inside the world of QAGOMA’s collection artists and learn some great new ways to make art

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come inside the world of QAGOMA’s collection artists and learn some great new ways to make art

ages 4 to infinity
Everything leading up to our moving was, as it always is, hectic and messy. We didn’t get to do everything we'd have liked before we left, but we did get to visit GOMA’s 10 year anniversary exhibit.  

GOMA is one of Ivy’s and my favourite places, we miss it. On our last (final) visit, we bought this fantastic book, 10 Ways to Make Art, from the shop:

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Annie Grossman: a passionate bookseller on the books that formed and changed her life

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Annie Grossman: a passionate bookseller on the books that formed and changed her life

Over the years we've bought our Sunshine Coast holiday reading at Annie's Books on Peregian, but we only recently met Annie Grossman in person. It was a real treat!

We were so impressed (charmed actually) by Annie's wit and passion, we asked if she'd share some of her favourite books with us and our readers. And what a great selection! But first, we asked if she would tell us a little about herself:

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