Links & Sources for Research
There are so many terrific books, journals, magazines, etc that support, explore, and pay tribute to the Golden Age of 80s -2000s Australian children's books. Here are just a few of my favourite reference books, perfect to immerse yourself in to learn about the Golden Age. Some are new and some are out of print, but you can always try the fun of browsing in a second-hand bookshop to track down any older titles, or your local State Library.
You'll also find links to the websites of some of the key authors who began their writing careers in the Golden Age, and other websites/article links that promote and discuss that special era of children's literature.
BOOKS PERTAINING TO THE 'GOLDEN AGE' OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE (biography, memoir, history-of, how-to-write)
Letters from Robin: a voyage around my author by Jon Appleton
A Life in Children's Books by Walter McVitty
Not Just a Piece of Cake: Being an Author by Hazel Edwards
The New Writer's Survival Guide by Dianne Bates
Writing Hannah by Libby Gleeson
The Authors & Illustrators Scrapbook
The 2nd Authors & Illustrators Scrapbook
Authors & Illustrators of Australian Children's Books by Walter McVitty
The Proof of the Puddin': a history of Australian children's literature 1941-1990 by Maurice Saxby
Dear Mem Fox, I've Read All Your Books Even the Pathetic Ones by Mem Fox
Paul Jennings: The Boy in the Story is Always Me by Matthew Ricketson
Untwisted: a memoir by Paul Jennings
Toads: writers on work by Andrew Sant
Book People: meet Australia's Children's Authors & Illustrators vol. 1-7 by Paul Collins
The Eye of the Soul by Stephen Matthews
The Story Makers 1 & 2 by Margaret Dunkle
Authorbook by Jon Appleton
Illustratorbook by Jon Appleton
The Picture People by Margaret Hamilton
Showcasing Treasures: inside the archives of the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature by Belle Alderman
The Inside Story by Belle Alderman
Creative Connections by Belle Alderman
No Kidding! Top writers on their work for young people by Agnes Nieuwenheuizen
The Oxford Companion to Australian Children's Literature
Where Do You Get Your Ideas? Interviews with Australian Children's Writers by Krista Bell
Dromkeen: A Journey into Children's Literature by Jeffrey Prentice & Bettina Bird
The ABC Book of Australian Children's Illustrators by Margaret Hamilton
AUTHORS OF THE GOLDEN AGE
There are so many wonderful writers whose unique, creative, and ground breaking books encompass the 80s and 90s Golden Age. Sadly, some are no longer here but their contributions to the landscape of Australian children's literature will always be remembered. Below are just a few websites to some of my favourite authors of the Golden Age (meaning they either began their careers in that time or produced most of their work in that time) - enjoy having a browse through their websites and learning about their marvellous books and careers!
www.wendyorr.com
diannedibates.blogspot.com/
catherine-bateson.com/
www.duncanball.com.au/
ursuladubosarsky.squarespace.com/
mcleanpicturebooks.com/index.html
christobelmattingley.wordpress.com/
elizabethhoney.com
pennymatthews.com.au
catherinejinks.com
jennypausacker.com
sallyodgers.weebly.com
jackiefrench.com
gillianrubinstein.com
dougmacleod.com.au
www.hazeledwards.com
www.libbygleeson.com.au/index.html
nadiawheatley.com/
nettehilton.com.au
www.sophiemasson.org
WEBSITES & ORGANISATIONS DEVOTED TO GOLDEN AGE OF CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
The National Centre for Australian Children's Literature is an institution of wealth in its painstaking archiving and devotion to preserving and supporting all Australia children's books and their authors. See the great work they do at www.ncacl.org.au/
Judith Ridge is an expert in Australian children's literature. She has terrific blog pots and insightful interviews with 'Golden Age' children's authors on her blog at misrule.com.au/wordpress/
Jon Appleton is devoted to supporting Australia's classic children's books. He has written a book on his friendship with legendary author Robin Klein, and has an awesome website at lettersfromrobin.com/
'Celebrating Time to Read' is one of my favourite blogs, run by a teacher-librarian, dedicated to sharing reviews of current and classic children's book at momotimetoread.blogspot.com/
'Little Library of Rescued Books' is by a lady who finds out of print (mostly Australian and English) children's books and reviews them. It is fabulous to see photos of long-out-of-print books and read a little about them at littlelibraryofrescuedbooks.blogspot.com/