I’ve just had the best sort of weekend for me – a booky weekend. The Wild Imaginings Children’s Writers and Illustrators Hui took place in my new hometown of Dunedin last weekend, with the WILD in Wild Imaginings standing for Writers and Illustrators Love Dunedin and it turns out we certainly do. Team Wild Imaginings put on a fabulous weekend …
‘Writer alights in the land of birds’ – Otago Daily Times
Thank you so much to Karen Trebilcock and the Otago Daily Times for this brilliant feature in today’s Otago Daily Times. I was interviewed for the article ahead of the WILD Imaginings Children’s Writers and Illustrators Hui next weekend, where I will be running a workshop on ‘Writing a Young Fiction Series’. If you are coming along, do pop by …
A year in New Zealand
It’s been a whole year since Family Haddow arrived on the shores of Aotearoa and we have had the most incredible twelve months. I can’t even begin to list all the amazing adventures we have had but needless to say, it has been a year of surfing, snowboarding, beautiful hikes and making wonderful new friendships. I keep waiting for the …
The Dave Pigeon (Royal Coo!) Launch Party
Hurray hurray! The very brilliant Zac and my Patron of Reading school, Halswell School, hosted the Kiwi launch of Dave Pigeon (Royal Coo!) on Tuesday evening. Thank you very much to everyone who came along to celebrate and for those who didn’t manage to make it, here are some pictures from a most pigeontastic evening:
Dave Pigeon at Auckland Writers Festival
Kia ora, Readers! I’m back in Christchurch after an epic weekend away in Auckland at the Auckland Writers Festival. I was so chuffed to be invited to this brilliant festival to take part in Family Day and introduce the Kiwi kids to Dave Pigeon. Of course, I went along to as many events at the festival. The line up was …
Save the date: It’s the Dave Pigeon (Royal Coo!) launch party!
I’m so proud that Dave Pigeon (Royal Coo!) is flying free and will soon be arriving on the shores of Aotearoa in May. To celebrate, you are invited to a right royal shindig here in Christchurch, New Zealand. There will be crafts, drinks, nibbles and a book signing. Please do bring your family and friends along for lots of Dave …
Summer Holidays in January
Earlier this week we returned from an amazing trip to the north of the South Island. We had a wonderful first Christmas here in New Zealand and with January now being the summer that meant SUMMER HOLIDAYS! We travelled up to the gorgeous and peaceful Nelson Lakes… And then on to Golden Bay where we camped at Pohara Beach. The …
Patron of Reading at Halswell School
I’m honoured to have been asked to be Halswell School‘s Patron of Reading this year. Of course, I jumped at the chance, having met the brilliant school librarian Zac McCallum and learning how passionate the staff and pupils are about celebrating the joy of reading. I have lots of fun things planned for the year and can’t wait to share …
Happy Holidays from the Haddows!
It’s been an incredible year for adventures and new beginnings. We couldn’t have asked for a warmer welcome here in New Zealand. We wish you all a peaceful and restful break as we sign off for the year and will see you in 2019 for royal pigeons, little rabbits and more. Happy Holidays from the Haddows!
The Books of My Childhood: an essay for The Sapling
I’m so proud to have written a piece for The Sapling, a brilliant online zine which focuses on conversations about children’s books for those who love children’s books. My essay started as a piece about funny books but took a different direction as I looked at the books that shaped me as a writer. Do have a read of Swapna …