I’m thrilled to announce that two of my recent picture books have been shortlisted for the 2020 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards!
They are There’s A Tiger Out There, illustrated by Ruth Waters and published by Little Hare, which was shortlisted in the Birth to Three Years category; and and Join the Armidale Parade, illustrated by Kathy Creamer and published by Little Pink Dog Books, shortlisted in the Five to Eight Years category.
The Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards are announced every year and aim to promote quality Australian books that help children get the best, most literate start in life.
Each book is judged on its appeal to children, interactive quality and ability to assist speech pathologists and parents in communication and literacy development.
Winners are announced in November.
Feathers of the Firebird 
Fantastic news, Sophie! Congratulations and fingers crossed…
Best wishes
Wendy Blaxland
writer
19 Lisa Valley Close Wahroonga NSW 2076 AUSTRALIA ph +61 02 9489 4955, m 0411 071 273
Holding court
At night she sleeps on cardboard
near the concrete station entrance.
In the daylight she holds court
among hungry birds massed in the park,
like a queen with paper bags
of rich crusts, showers of crumbs.
The seagulls and the cockatoo mob
squall and squabble and beg.
They dip their bright-eyed heads
and jockey for position,
worshipping the old bird-woman
in her lumpy, faded robes.
Then she plumps to sit on the bench,
showing them her empty hands,
replete with her feast of gratitude.
When they see the food is gone,
the birds rise in a flurry of feathers,
leaving her surrounded by droppings,
and a few curved feathers like jewels.
In the wild kingdom of this park,
ruler and subjects are well content.
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