Billie B Brown - Childhood Fears

Two new Billie books for June!

The ideas behind these two Billie stories came from some of my childhood fears. I love swimming now, but didn't learn to swim until I was almost at the end of primary school, which, for some reason, seemed to be long after everyone else. I still remember that moment of panic when my swimming teacher (who seemed brutally cruel at the time) insisted I jump in and doggie paddle to the other side. Hard to believe that something that comes so naturally now could have been so terrifying for me as a child.

And how about scary movies? I still hate them, but as a child was never brave enough to say so when all my friends wanted to watch them. In fact, I never really got that 'being scared for thrills' thing: rides at the show, horror movies, going fast downhill on your bike. I also remember a period of time at primary school when I was plagued by recurring nightmares and worries. I was a very big worrier as a child. Probably even more so than now. Now, I can think my way out of my fears and worries in a way I wasn't able to as a child.

Adults often forget what a scary place childhood can be, we usually prefer to think of it as a golden time, but you only need to sit with your memories for a while to know that this isn't the case. Remembering these things, and remembering them without trivialising them through an adult's perspective, helps me not only empathise and understand the children in my life, but also the young characters I write about.

The Light In Winter

Here's something delightful to do on a wintery Saturday afternoon:

The Weekend Read

As part of The Light in Winter, Fed Square are holding a Weekend Read where together with special guests, you’ll group read the ripping Victorian tale – The Mystery of a Hansom Cab. Written by English writer Fergus Hume in 1886 and set in Melbourne, the novel was Australia’s first international bestseller. 

Imagine a cold winter Saturday afternoon, in a friendly venue, a warm drink and a bunch of people happy to hand the book around and each read a few pages until the mystery is solved on the last weekend of the Light in Winter.

 Register at fedsquare.com/weekendread-free event

It starts this Saturday, June 2nd 2.30 - 5pm and runs until June 29th. I have been asked to "open the reading" on Saturday 16th June, so come along and share a good book.

A new cover a new country

Here is the UK cover for Angel Creek. Isn't it gorgeous? Inspired by the wonderful cover by WH Chong  who recently won a couple of awards at the APA 60th Book Design Awards, but with a slightly younger feel. I love it.

The ABIA awards or Let The Wild Rumpus Start!

                                                                                                                             *
It was party time in Sydney this week and, when sitting in the sunshine on the deck of the Sebel Pier One Hotel, looking across the water at the hub of the writers' festival, I suddenly, desperately wanted to live there. Provided I could have a house by the water, of course, which isn't going to happen any time soon on my royalties, so back to Melbourne I came. (But that's OK. I have the Merri Creek. A little smaller and browner than Sydney's spectacular harbour, but charming all the same.)
For those of you who don't know, The Big Book of Billie was shortlisted for an ABIA**. The awards were presented last night, and my wonderful publishers at Hardie Grant Egmont were kind enough to fly me up for the dinner. I have been telling friends that the ABIAs are a bit like the ARIAs only for books. And less glamourous. And with no rock stars. But with books! All the same, I am happy to report,  the ol' book industry can absolutely turn on the razzle dazzle. Gorgeous frocks and champagne a-plenty. There was even those Logie-style whirling spotlight things as people went up onto the stage to collect their awards, which was quite amusing. I didn't win the award, it was won by the wonderfully talented Emma Quay, but I did get to sit on a table with Libby Gleeson, Freya Blackwood (two of my favourite picture book creators) and a whole lot of fabulous Hardie Grant gals. There were some great speeches (notably Michael Heyward's dedication to the late Diana Gribble) and a few exciting 'celebrity' appearances: Kathy Lette (looking glam), Roddy Doyle (author of one of my all time favourite books 'Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha') and even Tony Abbott (not quite sure why). Mostly I was impressed by how vibrant, innovative and passionate the Australian Book Industry is, particularly as everybody keeps predicting doom and gloom for the future of the book. If last night was any barometer as to how its future is looking in Australia, I would say it was as sunny as Sydney day by the harbour.

* In memory of the late, great Maurice Sendak.
** ABIA: Australian Book Industry Awards. Not to be confused with the Australian Bridal Industry Awards, or even Australian Battery Industry Association. It's amazing what comes up if you google ABIA.

On pups and blog posts

So I'm going to break the first rule I set myself when I started this blog: no posts on kids or pets. This blog was going to be totally professional: intelligent, witty, insightful thoughts on books and writing only, no cutesy photos or boasting about how smart and lovely my kids are (which of course they are). Seeing as I'm a little low on the intelligent, witty and insightful at the moment, and it's been a looooong time between posts, I thought I'd write about what's really filling my days right now. And covering me in hair. And waking me up waaaaay too early in the mornings.
For some reason there currently seems to be a lot of women around me expecting babies. I don't know if this is just something you notice when your 'cluck' instincts so easily tip into overdrive at the sight of a swollen belly, or whether there really is something in the water in Melbourne right now, but at around about the end of May I expect to be delivering home-cooked meals to mamas all around Melbourne, including to my own baby sister who is expecting not one, but TWO little bambinos!
I'm figuring the purchase of a pup might be a reaction to this recent outbreak of fecundity around me. Fortunately I have just enough sense to override my own terribly out of control maternal instincts to save myself from going there again. (What are you, NUTS, Sally?! Your youngest is almost in high school!) And I like to kid myself that having a puppy is ALMOST like having a baby.
Except you don't have to breastfeed them every two hours.
And they poo outside. (Mostly.)
And you can still fit in a shower, breakfast, and even a little blog-writing on a good morning.
But, boy, they still take up a lot of time! And here are some other things I've learnt in the three weeks since we adopted our hairy baby.
Don't wear stockings.
Or wool jumpers.
Or anything new for that matter.
Toilet training is AWFUL in rainy weather. (Though a trampoline can be a useful shelter.)
Just like children, puppies only ever fall sick on Sundays and public holidays.
Having said all that, here is something I truly hadn't expected:
It is so very easy to fall in love with a puppy.

A Big Month for Billie

Where has February gone? Even with one extra day it still flew past! Before I know it March will be over too and April is set to be 'B' for busy with Billie and Jack events.

If you'd like to come along to hear a story, have a book signed or have a chat about your favourite Billie or Jack book, this is where I will be:

Sunday 25th March

Family Fun Day

11 - 11.30 (with Gabrielle Wang) at the Wheeler Centre

12.30 - 1pm Queens Hall, State Library

1.10 - 1.40pm Readings Bookstore Marquee

Saturday 31st March

Midday–1pm Books In Print

100 Glenferrie Rd, Malvern

(03) 9500 9631

Tuesday 3rd April

10.30am–11.30am Readings Hawthorn (upstairs)

701 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn

Cost: $10 per child and includes a signed copy of either The Pocket Money Blues or The Copycat Kid.

Each child will also receive a special gift.

Bookings essential: (03) 9819 1917

Wednesday 4th April

1 - 2pm Collins Books Northland

50 Murray Road, East Preston

(03) 9954 6220

Thursday 12th April

10.30am–11.30am The Little Bookroom

759 Nicholson Street, Carlton North

(03) 9387 9837

Friday 13th April

10.30am–11.30am Moonee Valley Library

762 Mt Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds

Saturday 14th April

11am-Midday The Younger Sun Bookshop

9 & 10 Ballarat St, Yarraville

(03) 9689 0661

Sunday 22nd April

10am–11am Dymocks

234 Collins Street, Melbourne

(03) 9660 8500

Friday 27th April

4.30pm-5.30pm Ward Sager

21/10 Arthur Street, Eltham

(03) 9439 9321

Wednesday 2nd May

4pm-5pm Preston Library

Cramer St, Preston

(03) 94822499

Saturday 26th May
11 - 12pm Three, Four, Knock on the Door
46 Nott Street, Port Melbourne
(03) 9645 2058

And just for a little extra news, in April we are also adding to our family. That's right! One of these little darlings will be coming home with us in the first week of April.

We can't wait!

Hurry up March...

Hey Jack!

Hey Jack! comes out today. Check your local bookstore. Meanwhile, here is an interview I did with Holly Harper for Readings about the Billie and Jack books. I'd love to hear what you think of the new series!

Sally Rippin's series for junior readers Billie B Brown has been such a hit that Hey Jack! - a spin-off series starring Billie's best friend Jack - has just been launched. We chat with Sally about Jack, Billie and writing for children.

Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book?

I am currently working on a new series of early chapter books for kids called Hey Jack. Jack is best friends with Billie from the Billie B Brown series and, being the quieter of the two, I thought it would be nice to be given the opportunity to see the world from his perspective.

In my mind, the Billie B Brown series is an antidote to all the fairy and princess books out there marketed towards girls, whereas the Hey Jack series is for boys who can’t relate to super heroes or sporting stars. While Billie likes to dress-up, she also likes to climb trees and kick a soccer ball around. She is very good on the monkey bars but hopeless at ballet. Jack, on the other hand, might be shy, but he shines in his school musical. He builds excellent Lego castles and even makes his own robot costumes out of cardboard boxes. I hope kids who have read and enjoyed the Billie series will love the Jack series, too.

What has been your favourite experience as a writer?

I have to say writing the Billie B Brown series has been the highlight of writing career so far. I love writing the stories and feel like I’ve tapped into an infinite well of memories to draw on from my own childhood. Most of all, I am overwhelmed by how popular this series has become, and in such a short time. I receive dozens of incredibly cute emails every month from young readers and I can’t tell you how many invitations Billie has received to birthday parties! I am thrilled, too, to receive emails from parents who have told me that the series has inspired their child to read. This is everything I could have hoped for as a writer and I feel enormously grateful.

Why do you write for children?

I like kids. I like the way their view of the world constantly reminds me to be open and inspired and in awe of everything around me. I like their sense of humour, playfulness and innate creativity. I also think having such a strong memory of myself at a young age helps me empathise and understand children and why they do things that from an adult’s point of view may seem incomprehensible. I think it is a great honour to perhaps be among the very first books a person has ever read. Many of the books I read as a child had a profound effect on me. I remember many of them with fondness and many of the characters have stayed with me like old friends. I would love to think that one of my books could have the same effect on a child today.

Describe your main characters in three words.

Jack: Introspective, imaginative and insightful

Billie: Boisterous, bossy and brave

What has been your favourite book of the past month? The past year? Of All time?

Oh, that’s a hard one. Past month: I just finished reading Ann Patchett’s State of Wonder and loved it, but I also recently read The Brain That Changes Itself by Norman Doidge and loved that, too – obviously for very different reasons. One took me out of my head, the other lead me into it. Both gave me great insight into what makes people tick.

Past year: Hmmm... Maybe Skellig By David Almond, or When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead – two beautiful and wildly imaginative children’s books that I read around the time of writing my own children’s novel Angel Creek and both inspired me greatly.

All time? Oh, way too hard. Recently I’ve been saying To Kill A Mockingbird is my all-time favourite novel, so I’ll stick with that, but I was also blown away by Niccolo Ammaniti’s I’m Not Scared. I love the way that both these stories explore the darkest places of humanity from the skewed and largely innocent perspective of a child.

What’s your favourite place to read?

Bed. Hands down. As long as I can stay awake...

What kind of reader do you think will love your book the most?

I write a wide range of books from picture books to Young Adult novels, but if we are talking specifically about the Jack and Billie series, let’s say a young reader who is ready to try their first chapter book. Someone who wants to read about a character they can relate to and who could, very possibly, become their very best friend.

Holly Harper is a children’s bookseller at Readings Carlton where she organises the kids and Young Adult e-newsletters. She also writes books for younger readers under the name H.J. Harper. Find out more about her Star League series and other books here and follow her on twitter - @hj_harper.