Aside from Christmas itself, there are few times of the year that I enjoy more than the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book Week. Celebrating the joy of reading is a really wonderful part of the school calendar and I congratulate everyone involved at the CBCA for all the effort that goes into making Book Week such a special event and so much fun.

Reading Is My Secret Power is the theme of Book Week 2019.  Hard not to ignore the nod to all our favourite super heroes with that one. It’s sure to be a great theme for all those who enjoy dressing up as caped crusaders. I can picture the array of colourful heroes and villains on display at the annual book parade even now.

When we celebrate books and reading, so often the focus is on authors and illustrators and the amazing characters they create. But just for a moment, I’d like to acknowledge the real heroes here; and that’s the teaching staff who do so much to encourage and enthuse young readers into developing their skills. If reading is a secret power (which it is by the way), the source of that power is surely the army of teachers and librarians who keep the joy of reading and literacy so well supported all over the world.

Reading is one of the most incredible powers we can access.  Perhaps the greatest power known to anyone, anywhere in the universe.  It’s powerful because it unlocks the imagination, and when you unlock the imagination, you really can achieve anything. As a writer, reading is probably my most useful tool. If ever I get writer’s block, I start reading and it’s not long before the words start flowing again.

This year, thanks to the CBCA’s Central Coast crew, I enjoyed touring Whitebeard on the NSW Central Coast. I had a terrific time introducing Whitebeard and the crew of the Rudolph’s Revenge to students at Brooke Avenue PS, The Entrance PS, Gosford East PS and Woongarrah PS; as well as the CBCA Luncheon at Breakers Country Club near Terrigal. It was so much fun and I can’t thank Sharlene Evans and Lyndall Coles enough for inviting me up the coast to share Whitebeard with new readers.

Ahoy there young scallywags!

The countdown to Christmas is almost upon us and school children all over the world are beginning to get more and more excited in the lead up to the big day.

At this time of year Advent calendars are very popular, but here on the Northern Beaches in Sydney, school children I have visited are preparing to take up the Advent Reading Challenge.

Can you read a chapter a day in December to make your Christmas even more special?

Whilst Whitebeard doesn’t contain any chocolate, it does contain 24 fun-filled, bite-sized chapters and is absolutely jam-packed with festive adventure. So it’s just like an Advent calendar, but better! Way better!

After an exciting visit to St John’s Catholic Primary School in Narraweena (see picture above), the children there were the first to take up the challenge and now the whole school is making it an event.

Why not join in the fun too? If you complete the Whitebeard Advent Reading Challenge, you will receive a special message from Captain Whitebeard himself on Christmas Day.

If you live in Sydney, you can find your copy of Whitebeard on bookshelves at Humphrey’s newsagency in Manly, Berkelouw Bookstores, Harry Hartog’s Bookshops and the Children’s Bookshop in Beecroft. Alternatively, if you live in other regions, click the BUY NOW button below.

Ahoy there, young scallywags!

After a cracking launch week, here’s a hearty thank you to all the Whitebeard fans who’ve helped get this book to young readers all over the world.

Whitebeard has got off to a great start and made a few of the Amazon Best Seller lists in its first week. Whitebeard is still #1 for Children’s Pirate Literature in the UK at the moment. I can’t believe that this is even a category, but to be at the top of it feels like a dream come true. Yarrr!

It has been lovely to receive the first reviews for this work and to get the opportunity to share my story on the Today show, but it’s the pictures some of you have sent me of big kids and small getting stuck into the pages of this book that makes my heart fit to burst whenever I see one. Thank you all for your support.

It really wouldn’t have happened if not for the love and support of my family and friends. Ilaria, you have been absolutely amazing. Not only are you a rock of support, but your enthusiasm and ideas have also been a never-ending source of inspiration. Mum, Dad, Phil & Colleen, thank you for providing me with a writing hideaway whenever I’ve needed to crack on without distraction and for helping in every way you can. Jon, Ula, Tom & Leanne, thank you for your constant love and support. I can’t wait to read Whitebeard to baby Stella when we return to England next year.

Massive piratical thank yous must also go to Olivia Ong for her beautiful illustrations, Megan Sheer for her lovely book design and Tegan Morrison for her excellent work in editing this text. Whitebeard wouldn’t exist were it not for you.

To everyone else who has supported Whitebeard along the way, I simply can’t thank you enough. You are true friends and will all have a place on the Rudolph’s Revenge when it sets sail.

PLEASE WRITE A REVIEW AND SHARE WHITEBEARD’S AVAILABILITY

So far, Whitebeard’s momentum has been absolutely fantastic. If I could ask one last favour. To those who have received, read and enjoyed the book, do please tell other people about it and leave a review on Amazon as it will really help encourage others to enjoy this festive tale. Thank you again, you scurvy knaves. You’re the best!