I’m back from my tour! And I had an absolute ball.

I was lucky enough to spend a week touring Newcastle, Gosford and Maitland on board Russ the Story Bus as part of outreach by Sydney Writer’s Festival.

I had the distinct and unusual pleasure of travelling with:

• Intrepid Wrangler and Chief Organiser Vanessa Hutchins, and
• Wizard of All Things Bussery and High Five Guru Isaac Gallagher.

Together we’d roll into a school, unpack the bus, and introduce classroom after classroom of kids to their challenge: Step on board Russ the Bus, select a book from its laden bookshelves, and take the book home–to keep!

“This is the best day ever!!!!”

You should’ve seen their faces and witnessed the jumping up and down when we announced that. Every time, the earth moved. What a privilege to be the Bringer of Such Good News!

I also did mini meet-the-author shows at each school, sometimes to hundreds of students all at once, sometimes class by class. Each time it was a whole bus-load of fun 🙂

THANKS SO MUCH to Sydney Writer’s Festival, and especially Amelia Lush. Thanks to all the schools and teachers who hosted us so generously. And huge thanks to Vanessa, Isaac and of course to Russ for such a super week. I LOVED IT!