ABOUT THE EVENT:

Remember the books that shaped your childhood, sparked your imagination, and ignited a lifelong love of reading?

On Tuesday 5th August at the Royal Oak Balmain, join Paul Macdonald in conversation with Tristan Bancks, Ursula Dubosarsky, and Jennie Orchard.

Copies of The Gifts of Reading for the Next Generation will be available for purchase at the venue through Roaring Stories, with Bancks, Dubosarsky, and Orchard signing copies after the discussion.

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ABOUT THE VENUE

Attendees are asked to arrive at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Seating is unallocated – another reason to arrive early to secure an optimal spot. Why not make a full evening of it, too, by ordering a meal at the Royal Oak before or after the event? One of Balmain's oldest and most loved pubs, it serves a delicious range of food and beverages.

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Last year, a National Literacy Trust survey showed that reading enjoyment is at its lowest level since 2005, with only one in three 8-18-year-olds reporting that they enjoyed reading in their free time.

It doesn’t have to be this way. In The Gifts of Reading for the Next Generation, some of the world’s most significant authors share their own transformative reading experiences — the books and stories that set them on the path of becoming the readers and writers they are today. Some were themselves reluctant readers; all had their own unique experiences that inspired them to read. Exploring the stories that shaped them, our authors provide a powerful guide to fostering a love of reading in the children and young people in your life.

Inspired by Robert Macfarlane and curated by Jennie Orchard, the book contains contributions from Tristan Bancks, William Boyd, Shankari Chandran, Horatio Clare, Nicola Davies, Imtiaz Dharker, Ursula Dubosarsky, Maisie Fieschi, Pico Iyer, Wayne Karlin, Colum McCann, JohnMichael McCann, Ann Morgan, Michael Morpurgo, Dina Nayeri, Matt Ottley, Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, Alice Pung, Diana Reid, Nilanjana Roy, Nikesh Shukla, Nardi Simpson, Madeleine Thien, Thelma Young Lutunatabua, and John Wood, and an afterword by Julia Eccleshare.

All royalties generously donated to the two organisations founded by John Wood, Room to Read, and U-GO, promoting literacy and education for girls and young women.

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ABOUT PAUL MACDONALD

Paul Macdonald was previously the owner of the award-winning The Children's Bookshop, a Sydney literary institution since 1971. Prior to owning the bookshop, he worked for almost 20 years as a teacher of Upper Primary and Secondary. He has won numerous awards for his work in education and bookselling, including the inaugural Maurice Saxby Award in 2012 for his contribution to raising the profile of teen fiction. He was also the winner of the prestigious 2016 Lady Cutler award for services to children's literature and literacy in Australia. Currently Paul is a consultant working with numerous schools focusing on building reading cultures. He is also President of The Children's Book Council of Australia, NSW Branch.

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ABOUT TRISTAN BANCKS

Tristan Bancks tells stories for the page and screen. His books for kids and teens include Two Wolves, The Fall, Detention, Cop & Robber, the Tom Weekly series, and most recently, Scar Town, a suspense-thriller. Tristan's books have won and been shortlisted for many awards, including the Prime Minister's Literary Awards, ABIA, YABBA, KOALA, NSW Premier's Literary Awards and Queensland Literary Awards. Scar Town was named the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year for Younger Readers. Tristan is a committed Author Advocate for Room to Read and has led campaigns to raise money for literacy and girls’ education programs.

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ABOUT URSULA DUBOSARSKY

Ursula Dubosarsky was born and lives in Sydney, and wanted to be a writer from the age of six. She is now the author of over sixty books for children and young adults, and has won many national and international prizes for children’s literature. She has been nominated for the Hans Andersen and Astrid Lindgren Awards and was appointed the Australian Children’s Laureate in 2020. In her spare time, she can be found playing the ukulele and reading cake recipes. Her latest book is Ethel the Penguin, illustrated by Christopher Nielsen.

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ABOUT JENNIE ORCHARD

Jennie Orchard has been involved with the world of books and publishing for more than four decades, initially in London, later in Australia and Asia (Japan and Hong Kong). Since 2002 she has been actively involved in the non-profit sector, with a particular focus on the two organisations founded by John Wood, Room to Read and more recently U-GO. Jennie’s first book was the original anthology she curated (released in 2020), The Gifts of Reading, inspired by the eponymous essay by Robert Macfarlane.

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TERMS & CONDITIONS

Refunds

Please note that tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled or postponed due to extenuating circumstances. Refunds are not issued within 48 hours notice of event date. Humanitix fee is nonrefundable.

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This event is presented by Roaring Stories Bookshop Balmain and Room to Read. With thanks to our venue partner Royal Oak.

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