A Belated Happy New Year!

We're gearing up for another exciting year of children's literature events. Watch this space for more details.

We're also thrilled to announce that the WCBA has now become an incorporated society, with all the important benefits that brings. A huge thank you to our Treasurer, Pippa Werry who made it happen from go to whoa.

Meanwhile, in case you haven't taken a look already, there are some fantastic representatives of the children's literature world at Writers and Readers Week this year. We're very excited about  ...

Neil Gaiman at the Town Hall

Acclaimed Aussie author Margot Lanagan in conversation with our own Eirlys Hunter

Margot Lanagan and Neil Gaiman discussing, 'What makes it children's literature?'

And, specially for young children:

Make a crooked man with Gavin Bishop

An hour of story and conversation with Joy Cowley

and

Discover the art of character crafting with Fifi Colston

There are also some fascinating looking events in the NZ Arts Festival inspired by children's and cross-over literature:
The Arrival - a 'major work of physical and visual theatre' based on Shaun Tan's incredible book of the same name, and
Dirty Beasts and Other Stories - a 'quirky concert' in which 'music is set to stories from Roald Dahl, Du Maurier and Tolkien'.

More soon on other events!

And to finish our first post of the new year, we'd like to send a huge congratulations from all the WCBA to our long-time friend and supporter Ann Mallinson for her QSM - for services to publishing, in particular children's literature.