A Singapore Book Launch (and Farewell)

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Me signing books and feeling happy.

Due to rediculous timing, Darcy Moon and the Deep-fried Frogs almost didn’t get an official launch.

The reason for this is simple.

The release of Darcy Moon came within weeks of my family’s move from Singapore to Perth, and in the chaos that accompanies moving countries with two young children, I almost gave up on my life-long dream of throwing a book launch party.

It all seemed like too much to deal with.

But as you can see, common sense took over and I soon realised that I could NOT let a moment like this slip by unnoticed. No matter how much crazy stuff was going on in my life, this was something I had to celebrate. This was the culmination of a childhood dream.

So, with the help of my ever supportive family, we took the plunge and organised a party, which we very cleverly planned to take place ONE DAY before we left the country.

(Please note, life since then has been stupidly busy involving, amongst other things, temporary accommodation, buying a car, opening bank accounts and shopping for winter clothes as well as endless random items such as potato mashers, wind-up crayons and easter eggs – this may go some way to explaining the time gap between the book launch and the BLOG about the book launch … but back to the point.)

Darcy Moon and the Deep-fried Frogs was launched on April 13th, 2014 in the beautiful Blue Room at the Arts House in Singapore.

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Me sharing my story with the crowd.

It was a very special occasion. A chance to celebrate the publication of my first book (I have my fingers crossed there will be more), and also, a chance to say farewell. Farewell to Singapore and the friends I made there.

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A big green deep-fried frog cake!

The Illustrator of the book, Michael Scott Parkinson, couldn’t make it (for geographical reasons), but nonetheless his presence was everywhere and made the day soooooo much more visually appealing!!!

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Sian, Noa and Akira sing for the crowd. Thank you Satsuki Nagatome, Opera Singer and Vocal Trainer, and thank you Suzuki and Jun xx.

I was super nervous about my speech, but everyone was so supportive and looking back on the day, I hope people left with a glimpse into how much writing this book has meant to me, and the emotional road to publication.

Thank you to my husband for taking hardly any photos throughout the event (I forgive him only due to his constant support, encouragement and love over the past decade – lucky escape!).

Thank you also to my daughter and friends for their beautiful singing, and thank you to my son for his delightful impromptu speech.

And a sincere thank you to Sarah Mounsey, for her moral support and heartfelt words on the day, as well as her enduring and much treasured friendship.

Also, thank you to everyone who attended. Your presence meant the world to me.

Darcy Moon in the US!

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You can’t wipe the smile off my face right now.

Massachusetts-based publisher Star Bright Books has bought the US rights to Darcy Moon and the Deep-fried Frogs.

This is SUCH exciting news, especially so soon after the release of the book in Australia. It’s not easy to break into the American market, and this is a dream come true for me.

Star Bright Books specialises in books for young readers and for those working in literacy programs in North America.

They believe ‘only the best is good enough for children and produce books that are not only entertaining, but meaningful and sensitive to the needs FROG1of all children.’

How ‘hoppy’ am I that they chose Darcy Moon?

Fan-froggy-tastically HOPPY!

 

Darcy Moon in Singapore

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I’m excited to announce that Fremantle Press (the Australian publishing house of Darcy Moon and the Deep-fried Frogs) has signed a new distribution agreement, effective last week, with the Singapore-based company Closetful of Books.

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The owner of Closetful of Books, Denise Tan will select a number of Fremantle Press titles for her program. ‘Hoppily’ for me, her first choice is Darcy Moon and the Deep-Fried Frogs.

deniseDenise has an infectious passion for children’s literature and a strong background in the book trade, having worked with well-known Singapore bookshop Bookaburra for a number of years. I am so excited that Darcy Moon and the Deep-fried Frogs is her first Australian book choice.

Already she has featured me on her website, coordinated all the book sales for my author visits at the Australian International School, managed to get Darcy Moon and the Deep-fried Frogs into the gorgeous boutique PlayDate Bookstore in the Katong V shopping Mall, and is now working with me to organise a fun and family-friendly afternoon book launch to be held at the Singapore Arts House on April 13th.

All are welcome, so please do join us!

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The arrangement with Closetful of Books is exciting not only for me, but as Denise slowly brings more and more quality Fremantle Press titles to Singaporean shores, all book lovers in Singapore will benefit.

Where can I buy the book?

It’s OFFICIAL!DarcyMoon_coverweb

DARCY MOON and the DEEP-FRIED FROGS has ARRIVED.

AND … it’s available throughout Australia as well as in Singapore.

Yippee!

FP_LogoforPIAFIN AUSTRALIA.

It is available in all good bookstores.

So leap into your local bookstore, and if you can’t find Darcy Moon and the Deep-Fried Frogs on the shelves – ask an attendant. They will know where it is and if they’ve sold out, they can order you one in.

You can also order it online.

Order from Fremantle Press and get the book delivered to your door.

RRP 14.99 AUD

IN SINGAPORE.

It is coming soon to a book store near you.closetfullofbooks

Watch this space!

And in the mean time just order online.

Order from Closetful of Books and get the book delivered to your door.

As an added bonus the first 30 books sold online will be personally signed by the author (that’s me!).

AND … if you enter the coupon code DARCYMOONISGREAT at the checkout page you will get $2 off the purchase – which equals free shipping!

RRP 15.90 SGD
AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL SINGAPORE …logo

I will be doing author talks to all the year 3, 4 and 5s during their regular library sessions next week (March 17 to 21).

Order forms have gone out but if you missed them don’t worry. Either you, your child (or both of you) can visit me at the Upper Elementary Library between 11am-12noon on Wednesday 19th March. We will be having a lunchtime book party with questions and answers, book signings and CAKE.

TAH_NewLogo-01And finally –  the official SINGAPORE BOOK LAUNCH will be held in the Blue Room at the ARTS HOUSE, Sunday 13th April 3-5pm.

This will be a public event and all are welcome to come along for a family-friendly afternoon of book signings, conversation and a big green deep-fried CAKE (what is a book launch without cake?).

THE REST OF THE WORLD …

You can order online.

Order from the following websites and have the book delivered to your door.

Fremantle Press

 

 

Western Swamp Tortoise – Factsheet

The Western Swamp Tortoise is AUSTRALIA’S MOST ENDANGERED REPTILE.

They were believed to be extinct for over 100 years until they were rediscovered by a fifteen year old school boy in 1953.

What do they look like?

They are about as big as your hand and look like this.

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So cute!

Animated turtle

How many are there?

There are less than 50 adult tortoises tortoises living in the wild today.

Where do they live?

They are found in two small wetlands only. The Twin Swamps and Ellen Brook Nature Reserve in the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia.

These habitats cover 5.5 kilometers square altogether – approximately one quarter the size of Rottnest Island !

What is threatening them?

The tiny area they live in has been reduced even further by draining and filling to make way for market gardens and roads.

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The Western Swamp Tortoise hybernates during the hot dry months and are particularly susceptible to predators during this time, especially introduced species such as cats and foxes.

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Breeding age is not reached until eight years old and eggs are dependent on early winter rains. If the rains don’t come, the babies won’t survive.

Conservation Efforts

In 1988 a breeding program was set up at the Perth Zoo. Since then, many tortoises have been successfully bred and released into the wild and their remaining habitat is now protected.

For more information about the breeding program go to Perth Zoo.

The protected wetlands are now lined with electric fences to keep out foxes, dogs and other predators.

During the winter months, if rainfall is low, water is pumped into the area to ensure the hatchlings have enough water and food.

WST1How can you help?

Report any sightings.

Talk to your teachers and friends about it. Show them this blog.

Stop water table reduction by SAVING WATER at home and at school.

Prevent bush fires.

Contact Friends of the Western Swamp Tortoise and ask them to visit your school.

For more information and contact details go to Friends of the Western Swamp Tortoise 

Welcome to the blog

Hello everyone and welcome to the blog! This is the first post of many we (Catherine and Michael) have planned. Full of fun facts, educational tidbits and the occasional snot joke, this blog will put a smile on your face and (hopefully) teach you a thing or two as well. But today’s most important piece of information is; THE COUNTDOWN IS ON !!! Darcy Moon and the deep-fried frogs will be released by Fremantle Press on 1st March 2014. Yippee!

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