So here’s something to barrack for: From March 16-21, an exhibition of award-winning picture books from Australia is coming to town. Australia’s Book Illustrated and the Australian Embassy’s writers’ week are working together to bring Hello from Australia! to the Capital Library Beijing in Panjiayuan.  The event will feature illustrations and workshops held at the library, The Bookworm Literary Festival, and Beijing-based schools.

The exhibition itself will feature around 30 prints from Australian picture books. They will be accompanied by a selection of Australian children’s books (and their Chinese editions) for a wide range of ages. The opening hours are March 16-19 from 9am-5pm and March 20-21 from 9am-7pm at Capital Library Beijing.

Participating authors and illustrators in Hello from Australia! include Anne Spudvilas (The Race, Jenny’s Angel, Mao’s Last Dancer), Anne James (Little Humpty, The Way I Love You),  Alison Lester (Magic Beach, Imagine), and Ambelin Kwaymullina (The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf).

Children’s literature specialist Dr. Pam Pacintyre from the University of Melbourne will also be there to speak about the genre of children’s and YA (young adult) fiction. 

Hello from Australia!’s workshops and activitieson March 16 and 17 will focus on illustration and storytelling for ages 6-9 and ages 10+ with Anne Spudvilas and Ann James. These require advance booking at www.clcn.net.cn.

There are also open workshops for ages 5+ happening on the same dates from 1-5pm with the same authors/illustrators. These sessions include short activities such as making collages and playing with watercolor. No booking is required for these.  

For more information, visit Capital Library Beijing’s website.

Photo courtesy of Penguin Group