Rosanne Hawkes’ latest book for younger readers Kelsey and the Quest of the Porcelain Doll will be launched tomorrow by best selling author Katrina Germein.
4:30 pm Thursday July 3rd
Tabor Adelaide
181 Goodwood Road, Millswood, Adelaide
To RSVP: phone 08 8373 8777
Autumn leaves at Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens
Beautiful places inspire me.
Today I am posting a series of photos taken at one of South Australia’s beautiful places, Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens, about a half hour drive from the Adelaide CBD. It is a wonderful picnic area all year long, though one should perhaps avoid it on really hot days which we occasionally have in summer. (The park may be closed on a handful of days a year when there is a high risk of fire.)
The gardens consist of hundreds of different species of native and exotic plants. There is something of interest for visitors around the calendar. And there is plenty to inspire the poet, story writer and even song writers. Even if a poem or story does not come from your visit, just wandering along the many walking paths in the gardens will refresh you so much you will return to your writing room ready to pour out words again.
Writing prompt:
Write about your “beautiful places”, locations you love to visit and which inspire you to write. This may be a poem, lyrics for a song, a short story, a blog post or even a scene in your novel.
Good writing.
Autumn leaves at Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens
Autumn leaves at Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens
Autumn leaves in the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens
I love autumn.
Not only is the weather where I live very pleasant – most of the time – but we also have the delight of watching the leaves turn colour and fall, blanketing the ground in a carpet of gold. It’s the stuff of poetry.
Talking of poetry: how about writing a poem about autumn, autumn leaves or beautiful, calm, balmy weather. Or anything else today’s photos inspire?
Good writing.
Autumn leaves at Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens
The dangerous world of butterflies: the startling subculture of criminals, collectors and conservationists written by Peter Laufer, PhD.
This is a book I probably would have glanced at in a bookshop – and not taken much interest in it. My copy came into my possession via my wife who bought it for me for Christmas. The title and subject matter intrigued her and she took a gamble, hoping I would enjoy it.
Her gamble paid off; at times I could hardly put it down. The author, Peter Laufer, a journalist of note, had tired of writing about serious, world shattering events and theatres of war, and jokingly said at a book launch that his next book would be “about butterflies and flowers.” The idea stuck with him, but he didn’t realise how life changing that throw-away line would prove to be.
The more he delved into the world of butterflies, the more he became intrigued, fascinated and amazed. The book is written about three main aspects of butterflies: crime, collecting, and conservation. Rare and beautiful butterflies are much sought after and there is a thriving black market for the most sought after. Collectors will go to extraordinary lengths – usually illegal – to add to their hoard of specimens mounted on card with a pin. Conservationists, however, try desperately to protect the last few surviving beauties. It is a dangerous world indeed, not the least for the poor insects themselves struggling to exist in an increasingly hazardous world.
Laufer deals also with valiant attempts to breed endangered species, detailing the amazing life cycle of these beautiful, delicate miracles of nature. Large breeding centres also sell large quantities of more common species for release at weddings and other ceremonies. I’d never heard of this “use” of butterflies but the idea appeals to me. Apparently you can buy butterflies for this purpose here in Australia, though it remains mostly an American custom.
Highly recommended.
“Naveed” by John Heffernan is the second in the “Through my eyes” series of novels set in war zones, told from the perspective of children caught in such conflicts. “Naveed” is set in Afghanistan, a war we have heard so much about, but in reality know so little of the suffering of innocent people caught in the crossfire.
Naveed, the main character, is totally tired of the war tearing his country – and family – apart. His father is dead, yet another victim of the war. Yet it is Naveed, his sister Anoosheh and his mother who are the real victims. His sister lost her legs when a land mine exploded and his mother cares for them as best she can in a small rented room. There is the constant battle for enough money for food and for their greedy landlord.
Naveed works the markets, taking whatever jobs are on offer, in an effort to care for his mother and sister. Too often he is the target of street gangs until he adopts a street dog Nasera. The dog quickly becomes not only a protector from the gangs, but also one displaying extraordinary abilities. Befriended by an Australian soldier, Naveed and Nasera team up to make a difference to the people living around them.
“Naveed” is a fast moving, exciting story giving a close up view of life in modern Afghanistan in the midst of a terrible conflict. The main characters, Naveed and his family, are strongly drawn characters one immediately cares for, and as the plot develops a sense of foreboding looms – with a totally believable outcome. The ending brings a sense of hope for the future of this ravaged country and its people.
Highly recommended.
“Naveed” is published by Allen & Unwin.
Teachers’ notes and an interview with the author can be found here.