Miffy Farquharson's blog
Well, after 2 years and 764 books I have recently finished reading for judging the 2007-2008 books. Whew! What an experience!
The best bit has been getting to meet so many people who love books, are passionate about books and about sharing them with young people, and getting to meet some of the authors.
There are still the 2009 Judge's Talks to do, but they are the really great 'sharing' bit.
I will miss having those books arrive at my door every three weeks, but I have read the first book of my own choice for 2 years - Nightpeople by Anthony Eaton - and enjoyed it IMMENSELY. Heaven!
The new Victorian judge is being chosen this week, so keep your eyes peeled for the news.
Cheers
Mif
Posted at 12:47PM Mar 15, 2009 by Miffy Farquharson |
Greetings
Talks booked so far are:
-
Melb Metro and West 21-23rd April (TBC)
-
Warrnambool 28th April
-
Bendigo 29th April
-
Geelong Early-Mid May (TBC)
-
Kilmore 19th May
-
Bairnsdale 29th May
-
Shepparton 3rd June
-
Northern SLAV 11th June
-
Ballarat SLAV 20th June
-
Yea/Alexandra 22nd June
Please consider coming to one of these talks, particularly if it is close to you, ie. within an hour of your work or home. Bendigo is at least an hour from just about everywhere and further for many of these talks, so I would appreciate it if folks could make the effort to attend a talk close by rather than just book another one.
Also, if you can help with accommodation costs for the ones that require an overnight stay, I would appreciate it.
Cheers
Mif
Posted at 09:29AM Mar 04, 2009 by Miffy Farquharson |
Click here to see my (small but growing) list of great books I have read.
Cheers
Mif
Tags:
library books and reading
Posted at 02:05PM Nov 07, 2008
by Miffy Farquharson |
I am already receiving requests for talks in 2009. Please use this form to contact me and the Victorian Branch of CBCA. Once you have filled in the form, please send a copy of the form to Miffy at miffyfarquharson@girton.vic.edu.au and one to CBCA Vic at vic@cbca.org.au.
Cheers
Mif
Posted at 09:02PM Nov 06, 2008 by Miffy Farquharson |
I've just made Rhonda Powling a 'colleague' and had a quick look at her blog where she had a link to a video (check it out, it is a great one!) and then of course, you have to have a bit of a look around YouTube while you are there and I found another one called Inspirational Video - The Don't Quit Poem. Definitely a great source of inspiration, the old 'Toob'!
Cheers
Mif
Tags:
inspiration poetry
Posted at 09:37PM Oct 27, 2008
by Miffy Farquharson |
Earlier this year David Beagley, editor of the online journal The Looking Glass, asked me if I would like to contribute to an edition which was looking at the issue of censorship. This is a link to my contribution.
Cheers
Mif
Tags:
the looking glass
Posted at 09:42PM Oct 10, 2008
by Miffy Farquharson |
If you would like to listen to me talk about books, CBCA awards, great books, books and more books, about judging and the fun that can be had talking about books then check out the ABC website for the audio links.
Cheers
Mif
Tags:
abc central victoria books cbca vic
Posted at 09:20PM Oct 10, 2008
by Miffy Farquharson |
Well, after the euphoria of the CBCA awards announcement, and then the 'controversy' of the winner of the PB section, I am back at work full-time and into the 4th box of the year. Only 11 or so boxes to go!
I wish that folks would remember the other 5 winners, all the honour and notable books, and not just the one that the media latches onto. Despite some BRILLIANT coverage in Melbourne, it seems that the other states' media outlets were happy to latch onto a single poor review of a single book. Disappointing that in an age of increased connectivity, the media is still happy to take someone else's word for it. Kudos to The Age and to Channel Nine for at least talking to the CBCA. Brick bats to all the media outlets who ran with the negative spin without reading the book!
Despite all this, it really is a privilege to be able to read all the books entered. I love it. And there are many, many 'gems' that I can pass on to the students at my school. And in fact, the poor reponse of some media to this only makes me more determined to keep fighting for quality children's literature to be produced (go authors, illustrators and publishers) and promoted (go teacher-librarians, community librarians and book lovers everywhere).
Keep on reading.
Cheers
Mif
Posted at 08:21PM Aug 25, 2008 by Miffy Farquharson |
Wow!
What a great day last Friday 15th August was. After 6 months of talking about the books (and keeping the secrets) the whole world got to know the winners of the CBCA Book of the Year awards.
Congrats to Matt Ottley (PB), Sonya Hartnett (OR), Carole Wilkinson (YR), Aaron Blabey (EC), Anna Walker (Crichton) and Frances Watts and David Legge (EP).
And congrats the all the honour and notable book authors and illustrators. I'm not allowed to say which ones, but so many of the books in the notables were SOOO close to being on the shortlists. So don't write them off, make sure you promote them to your students, clients, friends and enemies as good stuff!
And if your branch puts out a call to be a judge, seriously consider applying to do it. I have had so much fun, and feel that my professional reading has taken a step up to another level. It is the best thing that I have done in my professional life so far.
And I have a greater appreciation of the what the judges actually do!
Cheers
Mif
Posted at 09:00PM Aug 19, 2008 by Miffy Farquharson |
And...
Tonight the Euphemia Tanner Award was presented to Bronwen Bennett - current President of the Children's Book Council of Australia National executive, Tournament of Minds guru, and director of Show & Tell.
Congratulations Bronwen!
Mif
Posted at 10:38PM Aug 08, 2008 by Miffy Farquharson |
About Me
Emma Donaldson
Heather Bailie
Rhonda Powling
