A match made in...Readings

So Readings have some items that are extremely relevant to our interests.* Bags! Or more-specifically Working Art bags! Featuring Nicki Greenberg's Hamlet and members of Shaun Tan's Tuesday Afternoon Reading Group from Tales From Outer Suburbia.

Not only do they look very fine indeed, but they come in either a short-handled or a long-handled version - because, you know, some people prefer their bag-handles short and some prefer their bag-handles long. We don't know about you, but we are fans of the long-handled bag. So much easier to sling over one's shoulder - and if your bag is full up with your very own copy of Nicki's Hamlet, you are definitely going to want to sling it over your shoulder. It's a big book, people. Huge.

We did mention some time ago that Hamlet was not out until October and that October was a long time to wait. And now the wait is over, dear readers - Hamlet is out in the world and will be officially launched on Thursday by the always dapper and ever entertaining Mr Bernard Caleo.

And in behind-the-curtain news, slip on over to this post on the Readings blog for some inside information about how Nicki went about creating this sumptuous version of Shakespeare's play, staged on the page. And we are very pleased to report that it has already won many fans including New Yorker cartoonist and all-round amazing artist Drew Dernavich who posted this rather fabulous review.

So off to Readings with you! Quick smart! Lickety split! And snaffle yourself some books, some CDs, some DVDs, some bargains and a limited edition Working Art bag (or two) to carry them home in.

* Well, Readings always have a goodly number of items that are relevant to our interests. We're sure we are not the only ones who always leave this store a little heavier in the bag region and a little lighter in the wallet region.

Spotted in the House

I spy a lot of lovely things.

1)

Is this not just the most beautiful, the most sumptuous, the most mesmerising thing? Yesterday's arrival of the advance copies of Nicky Greenberg's extraordinary graphic adaptation of Hamlet was the cause of celebration, weeping, cheering and, we believe, a spot of mild inebriation.*

Hamlet is not out in the world until October, which is a criminally long time to wait. We suggest making a bee-line for Nicki's events at the Melbourne Writers Festival. It could be well worth your while. *cough* advance copies *cough*

2)

Noni the Pony** has galloped boldly into the House. We love Noni. She is so cute you just want to squeeze her.

So it's lucky we made a wee Noni toy, for petting and squeezing.

We know more about making books than making toys - so imagine our surprise when some of the production decisions that had to be made for the toy were quite familiar. Which leads us to write an uncomfortable letter:

Dear 806 pink, We still love you, but we have to confess that we have been dallying with another colour. PMS 158. PMS 158 is a beautiful orangey/brown. We hope you won't be too upset. You're still our go-to pink, but you just would have looked out of place on Noni's bum. With love and affection, Onions.

3)


A lemon and blueberry birthday bundt cake. Highly delicious.

4)

This is Mr Badger. Mr Badger ... on a badge.

But who is Mr Badger? Who is Mr Badger?

*Not actually in the House, that last one. There's never any mild inebriation in the House. *Double checks that the Friday wine is in the fridge.*

** FYI, it's rather fun to sing 'Noni the Pony' to the tune of 'Only the Lonely.' No really, try it.

Duck duck goose

Some time ago we observed that pigs were popular.

And recently we attended the CBCA Victorian judges talk by Suzanne Thwaites who gave a terrific insight into the judging process and warmly enthused about all the books on the CBCA short-list. She also noted that in the course of the judging process (which involves reading a tremendous quantity of books - we are in awe, truly) that 2009 was the year of poultry publishing, with ducks, roosters and chooks regularly featuring in their reading pile. And who doesn't love a duck?

The books that tickled the judges fancy are Bear & Chook by the Sea by Lisa Shanahan & Emma Quay and Kip by Christina Booth (both short-listed, Early Childhood), A Chook called Harry by Phillip Gwyn & Terry Denton (Notable, Younger Readers), Wendy by Gus Gordon (Notable, Picture book) and, of course the magnifiique Mr Chicken Goes to Paris by Leigh Hobbs (short-listed, Picture Book).

So, embracing the spirit, herewith we present the beginnings of a list of a fine tradition of books or characters that suggest that poultry is indeed perennially popular:

It's Useful to Have a Duck by Isol

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

Bear & Chook by Lisa Shanahan & Emma Quay

The Story About Ping by Marjorie Flack & Kurt Wiese

Brian Banana Duck Sunshine Yellow by Chris Mckimmie

The Seven Diving Ducks by Margaret Friskey

Uhu* by Annette Rosemary Macarthur-Onslow

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck by Beatrix Potter

Henny Penny (and friends)

The Little Red Hen

Mother Goose

Donald Duck, Foghorn Leghorn & Camilla the Chicken**

Belle, Rosie & Daffodil***

And we are rather enamoured of Doug Savage's editor-chicken tackling Hamlet on Savage Chickens. A chicken engaged in a task that is relevant to our interests. Why is it relevant to our interests, you ask. Hasn't Hamlet already been edited, you suggest.

And we would refer you to the genius of one Nicki Greenberg who, for some time, has been working on a stunning graphic novel edition of Hamlet - coming soon to a bookshelf near you. When we say soon, here, we mean... October. Trust us, October will be here before you know it. But just to whet your appetite...

* We're not certain that an owl qualifies as domestic fowl... but we are willing to relax the rules a little. We promise we would never consider serving him up for dinner...

** Mr Duck, Mr Leghorn and Ms The Chicken are clearly film stars rather than book stars. We refer you to rule-relaxation note above.

*** Definitely literary chickens.