One of the things I love about working in a small Independent Bookshop is that we often get special moments with authors and illustrators.
On Thursday, the author of Alphabetical Sydney, Hilary Bell, happened to be in the area, happened to see that I had done a display of her book in our front window, so she popped in to say 'hi' and 'thank you'. We had a quick chat about how well the book was selling (very well!) & how I changed which page the book in the window was open on every few days.
A few minutes later, Hilary came running back into the shop with a card in her hand which she gave to me, saying, "I had one of these left in the car, it's for our book launch on Saturday, would you like to come?"
As you will see from the photos below, my answer was "yes".
Display case of the illustrator, Antonia Pesenti's work (with my invitation card in front).
She mentioned it to her friend, Hilary, who is a playwright by trade.
Hilary jumped at the chance to create the rhyming text to match Antonia's beautiful, iconic images.
We were also keen to show the city’s eclecticism – jasmine, ibises and delicatessens aren’t native, but what would Sydney be without them? We wanted to incorporate the west and south, buildings and roads, the beautiful and beautifully ugly – they all contribute to our sense of the city. Thus, L for Lawn Bowls and P for Parramatta Road."
Extract from NewSouth Publishing website (for the full article click here).
This post is part of Saturday Snapshot and AusReading Month.
What great displays! Independent bookstores are the best!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for a book. You did a great job with the display. How exciting that you had a chance to be part of the book launch. Have a great weekend, Brona!
ReplyDeleteHow fantastic! What great luck, that the author spotted your display, and then invinted you to the launch. I'm so glad you were able to go. The book looks fabulous too, I will certainly keep an eye out for it. I love the bold illustrations. It will sell forever more to tourists too. A great idea. I hope they do a board book version too.
ReplyDeleteSuper book idea and a great display. Bet it was fun to attend the launch too.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea for a book - maybe it'll catch on for other places.
ReplyDeleteIt would be lovely to see homespun versions of this book idea pop up all over the world.
DeleteAn intrepid traveller could make it their mission to find them all!!
Oh, thanks for the reminder of how we can see a familiar place in new and creative ways. Here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST
ReplyDeleteWhat a cleaver idea!! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOOPS meant clever!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting idea for a book! Thanks for all the photos!
ReplyDeleteLucky, lucky you to work in a bookshop!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Saturday Snapshot.
How exciting for you, and I too rather envy you your job. Must be lovely to be so creative at work.
ReplyDeleteYes Vicki, Deb and Ripple I count my blessings every day that I go to work in a bookshop :-)
ReplyDeleteI was a preschool teacher for 18 years but burnt out completely at the end. The bookshop saved me!