I had the most wonderful visit to the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature https://www.ncacl.org.au last week in Canberra ACT (University of Canberra). Visiting the Centre was such an eye-opener. I encourage everyone who’s interested in children’s books, art and literature to organise a tour with the amazing Director Dr Belle Alderman and her wonderful committed team of volunteers.
This small team are working tirelessly behind the scenes to preserve our valuable Australian children’s literature and artwork for posterity. The value to our Aussie heritage, education, children, writers, artists, illustrators, researchers, academics and the general public is immeasurable and deserves our attention and support. Unbelievably, the Centre receives no government funding! The Australian Government, organisations interested in supporting the arts and general public all need to be made more aware of the NCACL’s important work. Spread the word!
The NCACL collects and preserves everything to do with published children’s literature - manuscripts, storyboards, roughs, dummy books, original artwork, original books, magazines, rare books, translations of Aussie children’s books… the list goes on. There are files on every Australian children’s author and illustrator - they’ve even started a file now, on my work! Every now and again, the general public can enjoy the fruits of their labours, when an exhibition is mounted, such as the current free National Library of Australia and NCACL Exhibition ‘Story Time’ at the NLA in Canberra, showcasing a lot of NCACL’s own collection https://www.nla.gov.au/storytime
You can linger and reminisce over Australian children’s books from your childhood, marvel at the gorgeous original artwork, learn about how a picture book is created by seeing illustrator’s roughs, dummies and initial sketches, read early draft manuscripts… So much treasure revealed!
This current exhibition ends on 16 February 2020 - try and catch it!
Dr Belle Alderman AM and her wonderful team of volunteers at NCACL, University of Canberra.
‘Where Is the Green Sheep?’ Judy Horacek’s cover artwork for Mem Fox’s story.
Sketches from Alison Lester’s Sophie Scott Goes South’ picture book.
Bob Graham’s early mock-up of ‘Max’ (detail).