Reading with a chance of tacos Taco Community

Illustrating picture books with Briony Stewart
 
On today’s show we chat about illustrating picture books, writing picture books, we look at the journey of an illustrator, and Liv reviews an awesome picture book perfect for the new year.
 
Today’s guest is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books. She won the Prime Minister’s Literary Award for her work with Sheryl Clarke on the verse novel ‘Mina and the Whole Wide World’.
Her book Kumiko and the Shadow Catchers won the Queensland Literary Award, and in 2012 she was selected by the British Council as one of 3 Australian Artists under 30, excelling in their creative field, for the Realize Your Dream Awards and spent 9 months in the UK developing as a children’s author and illustrator.
To tell us all about her author/illustrator journey and her latest book, Gymnastica Fantastica, please welcome the wonderful, Briony Stewart.

On today’s show we chat with a legend of Australian and indeed World literature, both for adults and children, about her author journey and what it takes to be a professional writer.
 
Today’s guest is a world-renowned author and speaker, with an Order of Australia for services to literature. She is the Head of SCBWI Australia East and NZ. She is an ambassador of the Premiers Reading Challenge. A Writer Ambassador of Room to Read which has reached more than 20 million children in Asia and Africa, a Committee Member of Books in Homes, a former Chair of Writers NSW, an Australia Day Ambassador, and her work has been included in anthologies together with Sir Salmon Rushdie, David Malouf, and Thomas Keneally. I could go on and on, because there is still so much more. And, she is still writing and publishing books today. 
To tell us all about it, along with tips on the craft of writing and creating amazing literature, please welcome the wonderful, the awe-inspiring, Susanne Gervay.

What to expect when writing, illustrating, and self-publishing a picture book
 
On today’s show we chat to an author/illustrator with a real passion for nature and adventure. And, Liv reviews two awesome new picture books. All that and more, it’s gunna be huge!
 
Sam Spry is an author/illustrator with a real thirst for adventure. She loves nature and has travelled the world to some of the most beautiful and remote places, where she’s worked and lived amongst the people that live there. It’s through these adventures, her travels, and a life well lived, that she has captured a story full of colour and passion for nature that she hopes will resonate with kids.
 
And, she’s popped in today to share her journey with us. How she went about creating and then self-publishing her story and what she’s learned about the process that she can share with us. 

How a children’s book legend self-published
 
On today’s show we chat to an Aussie Icon about self-publishing. And Liv’s back with all the goss from The Taco Awards After Party, and to review an awesome new picture book. All that and more on today’s show, it’s gunna be huge!!
 
Today’s guest is an icon of the Australian kid lit industry. His first novel Deadly Unna? was a literary hit and was made into the feature film for which he won an AFI award. 
He writes for a wide range of age groups from picture books such as Yobbos do Yoga and junior fiction such as Jetty Rats, to the young adult novel Swerve, shortlisted for the 2010 Prime Minister's Award.
He’s popped in today to chat all about his amazing career and how he has self-published his latest picture book which is a real work of art. Everybody please welcome, the legend that is, Phillip Gwynne.
 
To find out more about Phillip and Grandma's First Tattoo: 
https://yafflerpress.carrd.co/

The Taco Awards 2023.
Join hosts Ken and Liv, a cast of authors, illustrators, a bunch of rowdy book characters, and even singing sharks, as we bring you all the glitz and glamour of the Taco Kids Book Awards.
We'll bring you the shortlist and winners of such categories as:
The Reluctant Reader award, The Best Character, The Laugh out Loud Award, Best Picture Book and more.
Who will take home the Gold Taco?

Helping Children Process Grief
Ryan Abramowitz, as well as being an amazing artist, writer, and storyteller, has a lived experience of losing his father to suicide.
He has created a picture book, drawn from inspiration of the natural world. And, he chats with Liv and Ken about how he hopes this book will help those in grief to feel seen, supported, and cared for in their healing journey. ‘May it bring some light to your wound,’ he says.
Everybody please welcome, the wonderful Ryan Abramowitz. 
 
Click here for Narratives of Nature.