Book Launch: Dragon Guest Handbook by Jeanette Stampone & Novia Heroanto

THE BOOK

You should always be prepared for when a dragon tourist lands in your backyard. Your visitor will need to meet the family, learn table manners, and go sightseeing. While this hilarious book is full of silliness, it also explores language barriers. The heartwarming ending leaves readers with a beautiful message of embracing differences.

THE AUTHOR

Jeanette Stampone was born and raised in a spooky three-hundred-year-old English house. She spent much of her childhood camping in the garden and grew up with stories of local legends, ghosts, and fairies. Jeanette now lives in a small country town in Western Australia with her husband and two boys.

In addition to the recently released Dragon Guest Handbook (Wombat Books), Jeanette is also the author of Shadow and the Girl (Red Paper Kite).

After undertaking the Illustrating Picture Books course with Nina Rycroft, Jeanette is now working on her own illustrations. She particularly loves to experiment with digital collage, using her own painted papers and imported textures. One of her pieces, titled After the Fire was recently included in the Just Write for Kids illustrated anthology, Our Australian Heart.

Member of SCBWI, CBCA and Writing WA

THE ILLUSTRATOR 

Novia Heroanto was born in Samarinda, Kalimantan Timur, Indonesia. As a child, expressing her thoughts through words was never her forte. However, when her Mama taught her the art of drawing, it began to open her heart to relate to others through strokes and colours. Even after constantly moving jobs and countries, integrating new cultures and meeting new people, the passion for drawing has never left her, but rather, has driven her to share it with the younger generations.

Now living in Sydney (Dharug Country), she aims to incorporate her expertise as a former early childhood teacher and graphic designer, to continue this passion through children book illustrations. Her inspiration flows from the candid interactions, conversations, and ideas of the young children that she has taught, as well as her toddler at home.

She envisions herself as a bridge between early years education and the creative art sector to nurture empathy and creativity through her drawings, and stories.

THE EVENT

This free book launch includes complimentary refreshments, including snacks for the kids! There will also be book sales and signings.