Stories Connect: I was delighted and proud to co-ordinate and be part of this wonderful program of the New England Writers’ Centre in 2019, which was aimed at encouraging creative expression and  connections between the newly-resettled Ezidi refugee community and the broader Armidale community. In this beautiful short film, made by my very talented son Xavier Masson-Leach, you can hear all about the program and how it successfully achieved its twin aims.

 

 

Below, my illustrated talk on how picture books are created, focussing on seven of my recent picture books:

You can find out more about the process behind some of the books at the links below:
Two Rainbows: Illustrator Michael McMahon shows some of his process: https://firebirdfeathers.com/2017/07/19/michael-mcmahon-on-creating-illustrations-for-two-rainbows/
On My Way: Illustrator Simon Howe shows some of his process: https://firebirdfeathers.com/2019/06/03/creating-on-my-way/
Building Site Zoo: Illustrator Laura Wood shows some of her process: https://firebirdfeathers.com/2017/10/12/the-creation-of-building-site-zoo-part-two-the-illustrations/
There’s A Tiger Out There: Illustrator Ruth Waters shows some of her process: https://firebirdfeathers.com/2019/07/01/creating-theres-a-tiger-out-there/

‘Journey of a Book’–the process behind the creation of my picture book with David Allan, Two Trickster Tales from Russia:

 

A video I made to introduce my chapter book with Cheryl Orsini, Four on the Run:

 

An interview with me by the wonderful Sue Lawson in her ‘Portable Magic’ series

 

An illustrated talk about the inspirations and sources behind my retellings in my book with Lorena Carrington, French Fairy Tales (Serenity Press)

An outline of a fun workshop I run, Story Seed, Story Feather: