Join us for a magical morning at Harry Hartog Carindale as we celebrate Love Your Bookshop Day 2025 with special guest, local children's author Dannika Patterson! Dannika will be sharing a reading of her modern classic picture book, Jacaranda Magic, with little book lovers and their families.

Dannika will also share highlights from some of the other picture books she’s written over the past 7 years including pop-up cameo appearances by special guest characters from inside the pages of her books! Come along for a magical storytime, creative activities, bookish treats and the chance to meet the author. Ideal for families with children aged 4 – 10. All are welcome.

About the book

Five friends are feeling bored on a hot sticky day. Just when they think they’ll never find anything fun to play, a simple gust of wind changes everything . . .

Jacaranda Magic is a unique rhyming picture book that celebrates imaginative play and highlights the value of boredom and nature in inspiring creativity.

Jacaranda Magic addresses a trend emerging from research in early education that points to today’s Australian children struggling to develop creative, imaginative and gross motor skills due to diminishing access or encouragement to play outdoors

It is stunningly illustrated by twice CBCA Shortlisted illustrator Megan Forward and features a diverse set of characters playing in a relatable and inclusive outdoor environment.

It’s a rhyming picture book that demonstrates a range of literary devices that can be tied to curriculum including: alliteration, assonance, meter and rhyme.

It explores the value and importance of boredom. It shows children examples of the wonderful inventiveness that can grow out of being bored. They need not rely on being entertained by other people, toys or technology when they tap into the unlimited potential of their imaginations.

About the author

Dannika Patterson is a children’s author and copywriting consultant, whose work has been published across a range of traditional and multi-media platforms.

With a strong background in content development and marketing, and degrees in Journalism and Child Psychology, Dannika has found the perfect alignment of her talents and passions in writing quality literature for children.