MY BUTTON
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WELCOME!
I'm a writer living in a bushy Sydney suburb. Enjoy exploring my website.
BOOKS
My over 100 published books are written mostly for children. They range from early readers through fiction to non-fiction. Because I love researching and learning, there are books about bats and Bali, epidemics and how guitars are made. And because I like to spin stories, there is plenty of fiction too. I'm passionate about writing that inspires, that comes from the heart to make people gasp or cry or laugh.
A few of my books have been translated into different languages. And The Princess and the Unicorn has been read on Jackanory Junior on BBC3 in England. But I love all my book-babies.
PLAYS
I've also written fourteen plays for Marian Street Theatre for Young People at Marian Street Theatre, my second home, as well as adult plays and a stream of monologues. Theatre is where stories come alive and I never tire of its magic.
And I've written for Play School too, an Australian television program for the very young.
OTHER WRITING
As an academic teaching English and drama at university, I wrote critical work and reviews.Then as a freelance journalist I specialised in travel and humorous articles, and afterwards worked as an editor for a long while. All my published work is listed in the document to the right. And I love writing poetry too.
ENJOY
Photos, news, resources. Enjoy them and come again soon.
Wendy
A POEM FOR YOU...
The moon tonight
shines back round and full from the pool.
Will the water tomorrow taste like pearls?
HOW TO BUY MY BOOKS
Most of my books are published for the education market. You can buy them directly from the publisher. First look up the book in the list below to find the publisher and then go to their website from the LINKS TO PUBLISHERS page. Just click here.
If you have any problems, email me from my CONTACT page for immediate help. Thanks!
Books published alphabetical.docx
AN OVERVIEW
I have published over 105 books, ranging from early readers to middle grade fiction, as well as factual books on topics ranging from French cooking to fire safety, snakes to storms.
Several of my books have been translated, into German and Tetun, the language of East Timor. Do you know what a sneeze sounds like in Tetun? (Hint: look down to the right.)
FICTION
Some of my stories are set in school or at home, others in outer space or in fantasy worlds. I especially enjoy writing funny stories, and often base them on events that have happened to me, my family or people I know. It's a good way to cope with those embarrassing moments: turn them into stories.
EARLY READERS
It's a great challenge writing a very short eight page book so that the reader wants to keep turning those pages, there's a twist or some humour at the end, the story is worth reading over and over again and there are rich extra threads that can be woven in the illustrations too. Rather like writing haiku, short Japanese poems with a specific form. And what a privilege knowing that you are helping introduce children to the worlds opened by being able to read.
NON-FICTION
Some of my non-fiction books are on single topics, such as how a play is put on or the world of silkworms. Others are written in a series, about how ordinary objects like jumpers or basketballs are made, the different features of the earth such as mountains and climate or cooking food in different countries. To write these books I first have to find out about the topics, so writing is a great way of continuing to learn.
FOR TEACHERS
I have published a series of books for teachers about using drama in primary schools, and a resource book about comedy.
WANT TO BUY MY BOOKS?
Click here for information on the 'About' page. Wendy
Answer: Haa-txiu!
You'll find a range of stories here. Greedy dogs, boy inventors, ravenous baby dinosaurs and unicorns, a spaceship heading to Alpha Centauri and tunnels under the earth, well-known fables with a twist.
Double click on the book covers to enlarge them and read information about the book.
A few of my books are out of print, but you can buy the others from the on this page in the links section. me if you have any problems.
publishers
Contact
These early readers use story, facts and humour to tempt beginning readers to read and reread them. They are published by Scholastic, Cambridge University Press and others. Click on a cover to enlarge the picture and learn more about the book. Wendy
I CAN COOK!
Smell the shish kebabs, marvel at spider-web patterned tea eggs, taste the fresh lemonade and raspberry granita...My latest series for middle to upper primary aged students looks at French and Italian, American and Mexican, Chinese and Middle Eastern food. Find out about their flavours and ingredients, cooking traditions and regional variations.
Each book includes a section on hygiene and food safety, weights and measures and temperatures and cooking for special dietary needs such as vegetarian, kosher and halal food. Then come 7 delicious recipes typical of that country, from simple American peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to the more advanced apple pie, from assembling a French picnic to cooking mini-crepes. Last, a major festival is explored through its food. Savour these books!
This series aims to excite young people about the creative joys of cooking, showing how delicious healthy well-cooked authentic food can be. One treat and a drink are included in each book, along with two main meals and several snacks. This means kids can cook a
meal for the family and travel around the world through food. The last page lists further activities before a glossary and index.
See sample spreads in this PDF. Contact the publisher to buy them. Click here.
ICanCook FCVRs lowres.pdf
HOW ARE THEY MADE?
How do you hold a guitar together while it is made? How many miles of elastic bands are inside a basketball to help it bounce? When was pencil graphite more valuable than gold?
This series explores how ordinary objects like pencils are made. Starting with the raw materials, it looks at their history and design, manufacturing processes, transport and distribution, advertising and environ-
mental considerations.
Pages include flow charts, excellent photographs, original research and a series of interactive question and answer boxes as well as fascinating facts to amaze students.Click on the images to enlarge them and learn a little about the book.
See sample pages in the PDF. Also available as an interactive
CD-Rom. Buy these direct from the publisher. Click on the link HERE.
Howaretheymadeset2.pdf
An excited young reader
OTHER NON-FICTION
Two series: The Earth and Safety, and a host of other single books on animals, chocolate, epidemics - and more. Enjoy.
Having taught at primary, secondary and tertiary levels in Australia, New Zealand and England, as well as running numerous teacher training sessions, I am passionate about inspiring students and teachers and love working with them. There is nothing more exciting than learning - and sharing that thrill.
These books are crammed with innovative, exciting and easy ideas to try with students for those times when you need an extra burst of inspiration. The drama books for teachers working at early, middle and upper primary levels are also available in German. The book on comedy includes interviews with a number of well-known writers and comedy workers, as well as practical ideas for dealing with the popular topic of comedy.
Launching 'wishing planes' with students at the end of a school talk. My wish did come true!
MARIAN STREET THEATRE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (MSTYP)
Marian Street Theatre for Young People is a not-for-profit organisation which arose in 2002 from the ashes of Marian Street Theatre, Sydney's first suburban repertory company.
It occupies a 1906 converted building next to a leafy park alongside Killara railway station on Sydney's pleasant North Shore. MSTYP is unique, with a drama school of 230 and 3 productions a year of shows for 3-10 year olds, using the skills of senior students to act and fill backstage and front-of-house roles. They are trained by professional directors, writers, musicians and movement tutors. MSTYP draws audiences of 18,000 per year to the district from Sydney, country areas and overseas.
My mother, Audrey Blaxland, was director of the drama school and founded the children's theatre in 1974. We worked together as director and playwright for a number of years. My two daughters have both acted in and worked on many MSTYP shows.
It was great fun locating some giant pumpkins for one of our productions of Cinderella .
MY PLAYS
My 14 plays for MSTYP are performed in repertory. They range from adaptations of fairy tales such as 'The Ugly Duckling' and 'Beauty and the Beast' to my own original stories such as The Black Prince and Hidden Treasure, often based on natural science topics. It is a great privilege to see a team work so hard on my scripts and then audiences react to a production that brings my words and ideas to life.
I was also lucky enough to work as a writer on the well-loved children's TV programme Play School . Three adult plays have been produced, and a number of monologues are waiting for the bright lights...
Going to theatre is a passion too, anywhere from Sydney's Belvoir Theatre to Shakespeare's recreated New Globe Theatre in London to Kathakali theatre in India. For many years I ran a theatre appreciation group to enjoy theatre together with others.
PUBLISHERS
These are companies which have published my books. Most publishers here are Australian; some from the US, England and New Zealand.
Find the books you are interested in through my books section. Click on the image of the cover there, then anywhere on the larger image to find out details about the book and who published it.
Because most of my books have been published for the education market, they are generally available through the publisher. Many are also for sale in Asia.
Meet our cat Bianca
USEFUL ORGANISATIONS
These organisations are useful to both writers and readers. Each is linked.
These organisations are mainly for writers.
ASA, the Australian Society of Authors, the peak body representing authors in Australia. Invaluable.
Aora , an Australian children's literature research foundation in Sydney.
Buzz Words , an on-line magazine for Australian children's writers.
Books Illustrated , a Melbourne centre for children's books.
CAL , the Copyright Agency Ltd, which distributes money from copying authors' and illustrators' works. Join for free.
CBCA, the Children's Book Council of Australia , dedicated to Australian children's books. Makes awards, runs conferences and events.
Lending Rights , Australian Government scheme distributing money to Australian writers and illustrators for books held in public libraries (ELR) and educational libraries (PLR).
Dromkeen , a Victorian homestead museum devoted to Australian children's illustrations.
IBBY , an international body promoting children's literature.
NSW Writers' Centre , excellent courses, information and support.
inside a dog , a site for teen readers.
Pass It On, an on-line networking magazine for Australian writers and illustrators.
Jacketflap , a worldwide on-line list of children's writers. A fund of information.
The Lu Rees Archives of Australian children's literature. Canberra.
PEN , an international body championing writers' freedom of expression.
Magpies , a monthly magazine about children's books, especially from Australasia.
The Purple Crayon , informative site on writing for children. Excellent material for beginners.
Norman Lindsay Gallery , home of Norman Lindsay, creator of the beloved Magic Pudding in Springwood, NSW.
SCBWI , an American-based international organisation of children's book writers and illustrators.
Nutcote , the Sydney museum home of May Gibbs, one of Australia's early best-loved children's writers.
Society of Editors NSW , a state body with an excellent database of editors.
The Style File , ASA-run site showcasing Australian illustrators.
Society of Women Writers NSW , a congenial group of professional women.
WEBSITES OF OTHER WRITERS
Some other writers whose work I think you will enjoy.
Deb Abela
Bianca and Persephone
often mirror each other.
Sarah Davis
Susanne Gervay
RESOURCES TO START AS A WRITER
Here are some tips to help you move from being a pre-published author to actually holding your first book-baby.
POLISHING
