Halloween Book Launch Hoe Down

Pumpkins make me smile; pumpkin soup, scones, roasted or mashed, it doesn't really matter how they come. There's something about the sweetness of Australian grown pumpkins that have us lining up at the buffet table for second helpings.

At Halloween, pumpkins take centre stage with funny faces carved or drawn onto their rotund bellies. You can hear them smirking with mischief or giggling in embarrassment. Could a pumpkin be embarrassed? Of course, why not.

But if you don't have pumpkins in your yard or market this time of year (it's springtime in Australia after all), never fear. Take a look at a wonderful site called Pinterest - an online pin board where you can organise and share the things you love or even just pics you've found on the internet that inspire you. Beware however, because this site is addictive. It's like your favourite magazine with an endless array of creative ideas to play with. While you're there, look up Halloween.

Here's something my daughter, Daniela, created on the weekend from a Halloween idea on Pinterest. 

From a selection of glass jars she found in the garage (you know in case I ever decide to make jam or pickles) she has created smirking, sneering, and scared Jack o' Lantern faces (painted with acrylics) to light up a veranda or room for Halloween. Just fill their tum with a tea light. I especially like the squat fat ones.

Yesterday I went along to Marks and Gardner Gallery on Mt Tamborine for the launch of the 'digital' version of my sister, Nadia Sunde's delightful new picture book, Three Little Pumpkins (you were wondering where I was going with all the pumpkin stories), illustrated by Jody McGregor.

Nadia is an international award winning songwriter and Three Little Pumpkins is a story adapted from one of her children's songs. The song Three Little Pumpkins is so catchy children and adults all joined in loudly for the chorus 'Hay hoe, what did I see? One little pumpkin looking at me'. 

In the book - a riotous celebration of all things growing, the main character, Nadia, cares for a whimsical garden full of scratching, catching chickens, chirping crickets and two mischievous friends - a goat and a goose. Each day when Nadia tends to her garden she finds a new pumpkin growing in amongst the tangle of plants. All is perfect until one morning she discovers the pumpkins are gone! Oh dear. Who has eaten them all? And now what will Nadia cook for her Halloween feast?

Here's Nadia setting up the sound equipment.

Hootenanny Books is the Australian publisher of Three Little Pumpkins and you can purchase the digital version at their website or pre-order the hard copy, which will be available in January 2012.

 

Nadia sings the Three Little Pumpkins song 

'I went down to the pumpkin patch...'

Nadia Sunde and Jody McGregor

Nadia and Jody read from Three Little Pumpkins

The mischievous goose

Kids join in with maracas and music sticks.

Also launching at Marks and Gardner was award winning illustrator and my dear friend Lucia Masciullo, whose gorgeous book, Come Down Cat, written by the internationally awarded Australian children's author, Sonya Hartnett, will certainly win more awards for for them both.

 

Lucia demonstrates how to draw 'Marl Cat' from 'Come Down Cat', while Janene from Marks and Gardner Gallery shows Lucia's original illustrations from her portfolio.

 

Pond Magic Book Launch Invite

Bonjour mes amis!

Please join me as I celebrate the launch of

my debut children's book, Pond Magic.

Penguin Australia.
Pond Magic tells the hilarious story of an intolerant, self-obsessed 'tween', whose relationships with her family, her best friend and a French exchange student are made all the more difficult by a little magic and a lot of burping. ‘Lily Padd’s name is the least of her problems. Can she really be turning into a frog?’

My experience as an exchange student, a teacher and a lover of fairytales have each added their own to this light-hearted urban fantasy.

Launching Pond Magic will be award-winning children's author and illustrator (and all round lovely person) Narelle Oliver. www.narelleoliver.com

There will be activities, games and songs for all ages. Pond Magic’s main character, Lily Padd, herself may even make an appearance. So be sure to wear your favourite fairytale costume or (just to annoy Lily) come dressed in something French – and not just the kids!

Bring the whole family for a fun-packed afternoon at the Marks and Gardner Gallery set in 5 park-like acres with café, art gallery and children’s bookshop on the beautiful Tamborine Mountain (behind the Gold Coast).

Ooh, la la!

MC for the afternoon will be international award-winning children’s songwriter and entertainer (and my sister), Nadia Sunde, who will also perform on the day. www.nadiasunde.com

We have prizes for best costume (adults too), a free raffle and don’t forget to practice your best burp for the burping competition! Pardonnez-moi!

Prizes have been kindly donated by The Arts Centre Gold Coast, The Pampered Princess (salon for little girls), Homespun Music and me.

À bientôt!

Children are welcome to bring their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends.

See you there!
Angela

RSVP: to angelasunde@live.com.au

Marks and Gardner Gallery (with café, art gallery and children’s bookshop) is located on Tamborine Mountain, just 35 minutes from the Gold Coast beaches and one hour from Brisbane. The gallery is surrounded by 5 park-like acres, with Witches Falls Winery located immediately beside the gallery and other attractions close by. The area is famous for its natural beauty, cool rainforests, waterfalls, expansive views and national parks.

Marks and Gardner Gallery
69 Main Western Road
North Tamborine
Queensland 4272
Phone: 07 5545 4992
Email: mailto:art@marksandgardner.com
Website: http://www.marksandgardner.com/

My sister the star

Some of you will know I rave on about my sister a lot. She is Nadia Sunde and although half a generation younger than me I am accustomed to being asked, 'Are you Nadia's sister?' Recently, with my new-found success as a children's author someone actually asked her, 'Are you Angela's sister?'
Ha ha!!

I'm just thankful for the fact we are...sisters.

http://www.nadiasunde.com/

Nadia is a songwriter, singer, musician, performer, playwright, actor, entertainer, ABC radio presenter, early childhood music teacher and more. She has been involved in music from the time she could stand and jive about, from the time she found our brother's old guitar in the cupboard (he's 17 years older than her - I'm not telling you how much older I am) and taught herself how to play it.

In high school I was there to see her win the talent quest when she was in Year 12 and I was the relief teacher. I was there for the Band Recitals, The Lead in the Musical, her first CD launch

and every gig (almost) ever since. She has always been a winner, including Best Female Vocal at the Qld Sunny Awards and more recently this year winning 3rd Place at The International Songwriting Competition (children's category) for  her song, The Goat and the Goose, from her new children's CD, Homespun - a collection of songs that are ‘fun, blue-grassy, folk-inspired, toe-tapping and joyful!’
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/

So this is a tribute to my sister - a talented, highly experienced and varied performer. I want to share her many talents with you.

A photo of her band Nadia Sunde and The Best Band in the World.

Here she is elegantly 'Home Cookin' with guitar virtuoso Michael Fix and the voluptuous bass of Paul Robert Burton.

Burton, Sunde, Fix. 'Home Cookin' (Youtube link)


Here she is performing in the musical theatre show, Nadia's Wish, which she co-wrote and produced for the State Library of Queensland's summer holiday children's programme in 2010.

Nadia's Wish (Youtube link)


Here she is being interviewed at The Wintermoon Festival about her recent award.
Wintermoon Festival (Youtube link)

Here she is entertaining the families at the Neurum Creek Festival, Sunshine Coast, with her Kindie Indie music and inimitable style..

Nadia Sunde's Family Music Jamboree (Youtube link)

To find out where Nadia is performing next take a look at her Myspace page and listen to a few of her kids' songs while you're there.
http://www.myspace.com/nadiasunde

Nadia is also a mother of two (three and six years). How does she do it? I don't know, but if you are reading this you probably realise she has a lot of guts and determination, a strong passion for music, for entertaining and the craft of storytelling through song and movement.

Her CD is an independent release and Nadia is seeking distribution. She relies on word of mouth and the support of her fans.

Jump on board and tell your friends, publishers, music companies etc about the breath of fresh air Nadia brings to children's music - real music for kids and grown-ups who want to enjoy something a little more rootsy and organic. She calls it Kindie Indie.

Nadia's CD Homespun is available from her website http://www.nadiasunde.com/ and the Borders Robina store.


Now who do you think I should ask to MC and perform at the launch of my debut children's book, Pond Magic, on Sunday, 17th October at the Marks and Gardner Gallery, Mt Tambourine?

And she has already said 'YES'. Now, that's another reason for you to come along... The invite will go up in the next few days.

If you've stopped by, don't be shy to leave a comment and say hello. I love hearing from you.