A strange thing has been transpiring across the beaches in the Eastern Suburbs these past two years...

Our strange predicament Eight billion people, hurtling through space on the same piece of rock, have ended yet another trip around the sun seemingly, more divided than ever. You have to wonder, how can this be, especially now when we are more connected to each other than we've ever been? Misinformation, disinformation, algorithmically driven feeds (so we all see a slightly different version of reality), inequality, old and new prejudice ... the list of possible causes goes on

It's that time of the year again folks :) Please take note of the Christmas cut-off dates for Australia Post. This is the latest date by which your parcel needs to have been posted so it reaches your little ones on time.   We ship our parcel from metro NSW so the Christmas cut-off dates  when using Standard Parcel  shipping are as follows : To -   NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD & SA :   20 December TAS: 19 December WA: 18 December NT: 16 December     Serial procrastinators can buy themse

Feeling at one with the world - Willow the Wonderer, Space Odyssey 2024 has been 'the' year of elections 64 countries which make up 49% of the human population headed to the polls in 2024. As the year comes to an end, we find ourselves on the eve of perhaps the most consequential election of them all : The US Presidential Election.   Why should an Aussie care? Whether we like it or not, the decisions taken on Capitol Hill, greatly impacts all our lives. This time around, the

The adorable creatures from Willow the Wonderer are now available in watercolour Willow the Wonderer is amongst the most beautifully illustrated picture books of our time. And judging by our customer reviews , our readers agree! For all the art aficionados out there we have some great news: The wonderful creatures adorning our Willow the Wonderer picture books are now available as  watercolor Giclée prints . Giclée prints are also known as fine art prints, these are the close

Willow the Wonderer gets a first look at his new home for the next four months! When was the last time you wrote a letter? A handwritten letter that is sealed in an envelope and sent on its way with a stamp? I can't recall either ... The rise of emails and messaging services have been slowly but surely putting an end to the art and business of letters. But just as pundits were calling the demise of the Post Office, these age-old institutions found a new calling: eCommerce. Th

Willow the Wonderer picture book series is now available in paperback There is no doubt that when it comes to children's storybooks, hardcovers reign supreme. Our hardcover books are no exception. They are beautifully crafted and built to be treasured for years to come. They make for very special gifts and we find that this is the primary reason folks buy our books.   There are times though, when we just want to grab a book or two, stuff it in a rucksack and be off. Some litt

Late on Tuesday 12th of August, as the digital screens flickered and refreshed, the latest avatar of our online store came into being. A sprinkle of 'internet magic' later, all our book and gift sets appeared with an extra book - the fourth in the Willow the Wonderer series. We had quietly launched The Gift . New customers purchasing the books online were probably oblivious to the fact. Existing customers, some of whom had bought the first book in the series four years ago,

Book Week has arrived! This is a week long celebration of children's books and reading. One of the most cherished events of Book Week tends to be the Children's Book Character Parade. It can also be one that has parents reaching for the panic button, especially if the school note about the event has been languishing at the bottom of the backpack and only handed in the weekend before (true story). Last year, much to our delight, we heard from two parents who had to tackle Wil

The Aussie book world has been rocked by the collapse of Booktopia . Its demise has left many avid readers wondering where they go to discover and order a wide range of titles online. It's a valid concern as large online book retailers like Amazon and Booktopia are able to offer readers access to a wide range of books, often at crazy discounts. Unlike Amazon, Booktopia was also an Australian company known for supporting Australian authors and books. Their demise has left a v

Let me state it right at the start - The trope we refuse to repeat in children's storybooks is: Boy meets girl - they fall in love - and they live happily ever after…   Replace the genders as you please ... but you get the gist. This trope is not only common but also persistent and pervasive - in books and across every popular art form like movies, music/songs, etc. Prefer to watch a video of this blog? Click or scroll to end. What's behind its enduring appeal? Let's be hones

Reeta and Darren - Sketching out the first Willow the Wonderer storybook Autumn is the perfect season for reflection Summer has come and gone and autumn is taking hold of our not-so-small island paradise of Australia. The chapter on 2024 is not only underway but has almost reached the half way mark. Yes, it is scarely two months away! The cooler change forces us indoors, creating the space for instrospection and reflection - and that is where my mind has mostly been these pas

We've received over 450 reviews from genuine customers for our Willow the Wonderer children's books series and each time we read them, it fills our heart. We share some beautiful stories that customers have shared with us below. Reading these keeps us going. Willow the Wonderer storybooks have struck a chord with kids and grown-ups alike Since the release of the first book in the series, Willow the Wonderer has consistently garnered perfect five-star rating from readers and

Wondering what are the best ways to help young children who are learning to read? You need to take note of this article from the ABC on Structured Literacy - An evidence-based approach to teaching reading that involves a combination of phonics (sounding out words) and explicit teacher-led instruction. It is based on a " landmark international study that examined 10,000 pieces of research going back to 1966 to distill six big ideas behind the science of reading . Reading th

The Patch Primary School's production of Willow the Wonderer (Photo Credit: The Patch Primary School) A story too good not to share It's not everyday that a lifelong educator - and her entire school - gets behind your storybooks . So , I thought I'd share this wonderful story with our community.   Writing this reminded me, like I hope it does you, of 'that teacher': The one who went the extra mile and made all the difference to your life.   Enter Stage Left : Debra Herrmann