A Writer's Retreat in Tuscany

In April, I had the wonderful priviledge of attending a writing retreat in Tuscany.

It was the most magical experience surrounded by beauty.

I wrote two manuscripts, met some wonderful people, learnt how to make pasta, ate dinner in a castle, did some painting and learnt so much from three incredible masterclasses!

The 2026 Bologna Children's Book Fair

I had the wonderful privilege of going to the 2026 Bologna Children’s Book Festival.

It has always been on my bucket list to go to Bologna and visit the International Children’s Book Fair.

I met some incredible creators, learnt so much, was totally inspired and had the best fun with my very dear colleagues and friends Andrea Rowe, Nicky Johnston and Adam Wallace.

Launching Skipping to Sammy's Beat

We had a wonderful at Storytime at Farrells Bookshop in Mornington for the official release of SKIPPING TO SAMMY’S BEAT!

Thank you Farrells for hosting and thanks to everyone who came down to celebrate! #newrelease #ChildrensPictureBooks #dancetoyourownbeat

Double Book Launch....Double the Fun!

What a glorious DOUBLE BOOK LAUNCH of FLIP and THE DAY THE BRIDGE FELL this morning in Sorrento, at the beautiful Antipodes Bookshop & Gallery, with fellow author Rebecca Fraser, hosted by Andrea Rowe.

“Growing up in Melbourne, I often heard stories about the West Gate Bridge collapse. As a child, I remember holding my breath every time we drove across it, haunted by the idea that such a strong and impressive structure could have once failed so catastrophically, claiming 35 lives in the process.”

The Day the Bridge Fell is released Oct 1st 2025, coinciding with the 55th Anniversary of the collapse of the West Gate Bridge.

National Science Week 2024 - Storytime with an Endangered Songbird

As part of National Science Week, I was invited to read The Forgotten Song: Saving the Regent Honeyeater live from Melbourne Zoo!

Thousands of primary school students from all over Australia tuned into the live broadcast to hear the story about Australia’s most critically endangered bird.

Following the reading, I was able to ask the zoo’s expert birdkeeper some questions which had been sent in from school across Australia.

This event aligned with the school theme for National Science Week 2024 of Species Survival

CUBBY HUNTING - COMPETITION TIME!

To celebrate the release of CUBBY HUNTING, Nicky Johnston and I are giving you the chance to win a signed copy of our new book.

Simply send us an image of your favourite cubby!

It can be a drawing, a collage or a photo... be creative!

To submit your entry, please take a photo or scan your completed artwork.

Then email a copy to: coralvass@gmail.com

Opening date: Monday 5th August

Closing date: 30th August

Winners will be announced: Monday 2nd September 2024

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

When you submit your entry, please include the following:

1. Your name and age

2. Your state of residence (Aust only)

3. Email address (this is how we notify winners)

4. Parent/guardian's signature as consent to enter competition and use photo/images online

Please note:

* PRIZES: a copy of Cubby Hunting signed by author & Illustrator. This cannot be exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash.

* This competition is open to AUSTRALIA only.

* Decisions are FINAL: No correspondence will be entered into regarding selected winners

The Kelly Gang Kids Book Tour

To celebrate the release of our new book - The Kelly Gang Kids, illustrator Deb Hudson and I took a two day journey through Kelly Country in regional Victoria, exploring iconic landmarks and visiting historical places significant to Ned Kelly’s story.

We began our journey in Beveridge, where we visited the first home Ned Kelly lived in.

We then travelled to Avenel, to see Mangalore Hill and Hughes Creek. It was Hughes Creek that a young Ned Kelly saved Richard Shelton from drowning. Ned was praised as a hero and was given a green and gold sash as a reward. It is assumed that Ned treasured the sash, as he continued to wear it, even as an adult, and it was found under his armour during the famous the Siege at Glenrowan.

We then continued on to Benalla, where we saw the green and gold sash #IRL on display at the Benalla Visitor’s Centre/ Costume and Museum.

We loved exploring Kate’s Cottage and Museum in Glenrowan. It overflowed with amazing artifacts, antiques, letters, transcripts and so much history.

We made a quick stop into the famous Beechworth Bakery, before taking a tour of the Old Beechworth Gaol, where Ned spent two weeks before his conviction.

Deb and I loved meeting booksellers, signing lots of books, taking interviews for the local newspaper and the local YouTuber, and learning so much about Australian history on our journey.

Walking Together Book Launch

Dub Leffler and I were thrilled to launch our new book - Walking Together- on Wednesday night at the BookFace bookshop on the Central Coast of NSW.

Author, Fiona Lloyd moderated the Q&A session, and special thanks to the CBCA Central Coast sub branch, who organised the evening centred around the theme of walking together as Australians.

There were even amazing dung beetle cupcakes made by Scholastic Publisher, Rebecca Young, for all to enjoy.

ABC Playschool Highlights

Earlier this year, The Heartbeat of the Land appeared on ABC TV’s Playschool

A few days later, The Forgotten Song - Saving the Regent Honeyeater also appeared on Playschool

The Forgotten Song- Saving the Regent Honeyeater shortlisted

The Forgotten Song- Saving the Regent Honeyeater was in this year’s Children’s Book Council of Australia Eve Pownall Notable list and has also been shortlisted for the Wilderness Society Environmental Award for Children’s Literature.

Jørn's Magnificent Imagination Sydney Book Tour

Illustrator Nicky Johnston and I had a magnificent time in Sydney celebrating the release of our new book - Jørn's Magnificent Imagination - as well as the 50th Anniversary of the Sydney Opera House.

Our tour started at the Opera House, with a ‘meet and greet’, as well as a book signing….of over 200 books!

We then ran a workshop session at the State Library of NSW, where we shared our book, the story behind the story and ran a craft session with the kids. We continued to sign more books at the Library before being given a personal tour of the amazing State Library.

Next, we moved down to Bennelong Point, where we enjoyed celebration drinks with fellow authors and illustrators, who all cheered on Jørn's Magnificent Imagination and wore opera house headbands.

We wrapped up our book tour with a visit to Harry Hartog Bookshop in Bondi Junction, where we ran a story telling session and made a mural of selfies in front of the Opera House.

Nicky and I would like to thank everyone who made our trip to Sydney special - from the wonderful Opera House staff, to our Sydney-based author and illustrator friends who helped us celebrate, the State Library staff for a wonderful event, to the staff at Harry Hartog Bondi, as well as the amazing weather…..we love Sydney!

The Sydney Opera House Selfie Competition - WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

Thank you to everyone who entered our Sydney Opera House Selfie Competition. Nicky Johnston and I were overwhelmed by all the incredibly creative entries.

And now.....drum roll please....

We are thrilled to announce our 6 winners, who each win a signed copy of Jørn's Magnificent Imagination.

WINNER - The Year 1 class at Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College

WINNER - Milly

WINNER - Xavier

WINNER - Ashton

WINNER - Ivy

WINNER - Hugo

Book Tour of Sydney to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Sydney Opera House and the release of Jørn's Magnificent Imagination

Coral Vass and Nicky Johnston are launching/celebrating their new book Jørn's Magnificent Imagination (2023 CBCA Notable Book and 2023 Speech Pathology Shortlisted Book) in Sydney as part of the Sydney Opera House 50th Anniversary Celebrations.

Wednesday September 27

10.30am Sydney Opera House Event and Bookshop signing - public

Thursday September 28

11am – 12noon Book Event State Library of NSW – public

Thursday September 28

1.30pm - 4:30pm – Celebration drinks Sydney Opera Bar – friends/colleagues

Friday 29th September

11am-12noon Harry Harthog Bondi Book event – public

We are also running a Sydney Opera House Selfie competition, where you have a chance to win a signed copy of the book.

THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE SELFIE COMPETITION - win a signed copy of Jørn's Magnificent Imagination

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Sydney Opera House and the release of Jørn's Magnificent Imagination, you have a chance to win a signed copy of the book!

Simply send us a ‘selfie’ with the Sydney Opera House

It can be a photo...a drawing/artwork....or something creative!

SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY

To submit your entry, please take a photo or scan your completed artwork.

Then email a copy to: sohselfiecompetition@gmail.com

Opening date: 21st August 2023

Closing date: 2nd October 2023

Winners will be announced - Tuesday 3rd October 2023

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS

When you submit your entry, please include the following:

1. Your name and age

2. Your state of residence (Aust only)

3. Email address (this is how we notify winners)

4. Parent/guardian’s signature as consent to enter competition and use photo/images online

Please note:

*PRIZES: a copy of Jørn's Magnificent Imagination signed by author & Illustrator. This cannot be exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash.

*This competition is open to AUSTRALIA only.

*Decisions are FINAL: No correspondence will be entered into regarding selected winners.

There will be one winner in each age category:

0-4yrs, 5-10yrs, 11-15yrs, 15-18yrs, 18yrs+

Winners will be judged on creativity and effort

The Heartbeat of the Land- shortlisted 2023 Karajia Award for Children's Literature

I am absolutely thrilled The Heartbeat of the Land has been shortlisted for the 2023 Karajia Award for Children's Literature #EnvironmentalAwards

Jørn's Magnificent Imagination - shortlisted 2023 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards

I am thrilled to hear the news that Jørn's Magnificent Imagination has been shortlisted for the 2023 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards!

2023 CBCA NOTABLE BOOKS

I am absolutely thrilled to see not one, but two of my books in this year’s CBCA Notable List.

Please Handle with Care and Jørn's Magnificent Imagination

New Release - The Forgotten Song: Saving the Regent Honeyeater

In Stores - 3rd April 2023

A moving story of a Regent Honeyeater who forgets his song, and how he learns it again.

The song of the regent honeyeater has been heard in the bush for many generations – but could it soon be lost forever?

Regent’s father had learnt the song from his father, who learnt it from his father too. But with Regent’s species now facing extinction, there is no one around to teach him. Regent tries to mimic the sounds of different birds but without success.

Will Regent learn his mating call before it’s too late? Or will his ancient song be forgotten forever?

Reading level varies from child to child, but we recommend this book for ages 5 to 9.

Whingeville Competition - Your chance to win a signed copy!

To celebrate the release of Whingeville, you have a chance to win a signed copy of the book!

Simply tell us in 25words or less, what is the funniest thing you have whinged about, then send your entries to (email) - whingevillecompetition@gmail.com

ENTRY IS NOW OPEN!

Closing date: Sunday 6th November 2022

*Winners will be announced on Monday 7th November 2022

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

When you submit your entry, please include the following information:

• Your name and age

• Your state of residence

• Email address (this is how we will notify the winners)

• Parent/guardian’s signature as consent for entry into the competition

Grandma's Treasured Shoes on display at the State Library of NSW

I am absolutely thrilled Grandma's Treasured Shoes has been included in the State Library of NSW’s Imagine... the Wonder of Picture Books Exhibition on until May 2023. If you get a chance to check out this stunning exhibition, you’ll see several of Christina Huynh's illustrations along with the little shoe that Christina used for inspiration to illustrate Grandma’s Treasured Shoes, as well as other brilliant Australian children’s book illustrations.

I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at Grandma's Treasured Shoes on display in the exhibition, where stories and characters from much-loved Australian picture books come to life.

“Come and see some of the most beautiful picture books and artworks in the State Library’s collection and beyond. You’ll find original illustrations and preliminary sketches from your favourite books and discover new favourites like Christina Huynh (Grandma’s Treasured Shoes)." - State Library of NSW