Cristy Burne

To the Lighthouse, and the lighthouse keeper!

August 7 is International Lighthouse Day. 

What will you do to celebrate? Maybe cozy up with a Western Australian book adventure!

For a taste of life as a lighthouse keeper’s kid, check out the gorgeous Lighthouse Girl by Dianne Wolfer. It’s based on a real life story of Faye Howe on Breaksea Island in 1915, and it makes me cry every time I read it. (I can’t think of this book without remembering the Giants’ visit to Perth in 2015, and the serenely beautiful Girl Giant kicking up her heels for a dance.)

To visit Broome on a stormy night, check out the funny and re-released-by-popular-demand The Grumpy Lighthouse Keeper by Yawuru author Terrizita Corpus. This book draws inspiration from the Gantheaume Point lighthouse, built in 1905. (I love this spot! We scrambled down to the rocks and hunt for fossilised dinosaur footprints…loads of fun!)

And of course, for a daring adventure on Rottnest Island, grab a copy of To the Lighthouse, by me :-).

If you itch for even more adventure (or the ultimate writer’s retreat), pop your application in the mail and you (and a compulsory friend) could be spending six months as a lighthouse keeper on Tasmania’s Maatsuyker Island. Go on… I dare you!~

Do you (or your kids) like toys, books and really cute quokkas? Then come on down to Perth’s Most Awesome Toy Shop Ever: Toys in the Park.

The walls are lined with the most unique and clever toys ever, and you’ll also have the chance to sign up for a Really Cool Creative Workshop and try your hand at a Super Fun School Holiday Competition.

Competition details: Complete an activity sheet to create your own island adventure, bring it in to the Toys in the Park store to be displayed in the shop window, and you’ll go in to the prize draw.

Prizes (winners selected at random):
1st prize – a ticket to the creative writing workshop (super-fun! details below)
2nd and 3rd – a fluffy, plush quokka toy (super-cute!)

Buy a copy of To the Lighthouse when you enter, you’ll get an extra entry into the draw!

Entries open Monday, 3 July.
Enter before 3pm Sunday, 16 July.

Recognise this staircase, anyone?

Creative Writing and Design Workshop
Come into Toys in the Park and sign up for a one-hour interactive workshop with ME!

We’re going to have loads of fun creating our own island adventures, with some drawing, writing and dreaming up crazy ideas.

Saturday, 22 July 2017
For 6 to 10 year olds
2.00 – 3.00pm
Cost $20, which includes all materials and a copy of To the Lighthouse. (I can sign it for you, or for a lucky friend who’s having a birthday sometime soon)

Workshop places are limited (and so are copies of the book! It’s selling out all over so we’re having to reprint it already!)
Book your workshop spot in-store, or over the phone.
Toys in the Park, 403a Albany Highway, Victoria Park
(08) 9470 3981

Grab a copy of The West Australian ED! Magazine today!

In the mag is details of how to win a trip to Rottnest Island for two adults and two children, and a signed copy of To the Lighthouse.

Here’s how you do it:
You’ll need to grab the mag for the fine print, but basically you need to email your name, age, address and phone number to ed@wanews.com.au with TO THE LIGHTHOUSE in the subject line.

The winner will be drawn Monday, just in time for the school holidays…

Yeeee ha!~ Rotto, here (someone) comes!!

Thanks to Rottnest Express, Fremantle Press and The West Australian

What are you planning for Saturday 24?

Come join the party at the State Library of WA as children’s writers and illustrators from across WA combine their powers to launch five new books into the imaginations of kids everywhere…

Come on down to the Midland Junction Arts Centre for a day of inspiration, creativity and family-friendly fun. Most of the events are free, including the amazing exhibition, and there’s also workshops you can sign up for or walk in to.

Saturday, June 17, 2017
10:00am 3:00pm
Midland Junction Arts Centre276 Great Eastern HighwayMidland

Be part of it…Act, Belong, Commit. Hang out with your kids, read books, make stuff, admire artwork, make artwork, eat food, be merry… And knowing Perth, the sun will be shining and the sky blue. It’s going to be a great day 🙂

WITH HUGE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: HEALTHWAY, SHIRE OF MUNDARING, CITY OF SWAN, MUNDARING COMMUNITY BANK BRANCH OF BENDIGO BANK AND THE CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA, WA BRANCH. Thank you! We love you all!!