National Library - “Lost” Interview
Filed in Video on Aug.13, 2010
The Flaming Witch
Filed in Uncategorized on Apr.26, 2010
The Flaming Witch(Random House, 1997), a traditional Indonesian tale, retold by Stephanie Owen Reeder and illustrated by Indonesian artist Dadang Christanto.
Based on an Indonesian folk tale from the 14th century, this is the story of Rangda, a powerful witch who curses the whole kingdom when no one will marry her daughter because no-one wants a witch as a mother-in-law! The king tries to fight fire with fire, but soon realises that only wisdom can defeat the witch’s terrible power.
Illustrated with stunning watercolur paintings by Indonesian artist Dadang Christanto, this is a stirring tale which, like all good traditional tales, takes the reader to another land and another time. And, of course, it has a happy ending.
Reviews
Reading Time 41(4): The text and illustrations convey the spirit of the Balinese story and dance splendidly … The illustrations are characterised by vigorous action, exquisite composition and meticulous attention to authentic detail … The vividly written story is rather too scary a tale for the very young but tougher minded older children will relish the dramatic conflict in it … the ancient tale just begs to be read aloud … It is an enrichment of literary experience for Australian children to encounter the folklore of Indonesia in this exciting way.
Viewpoint 5(4): 49: … it is highly satisfying to spend time with this story - my few words can hardly summarise its immense appeal, which does not arise only from its originality, but also from the universal nature of the tussle between good and evil.
I’ve Got a Feeling!
Filed in Writing on Feb.16, 2010
I’ve Got a Feeling!
A lift-the-flap book for preschoolers
written and illustrated by Stephanie Owen Reeder
When children feel an emotion, it is written all over their faces and reflected in their body language—the set of their eyebrows, the shape of their eyes and mouth, the way they hold their body and what they do with their hands. I’ve Got a Feeling! is an entertaining and interactive lift-the-flap book about emotions. With its engaging verses, colourful illustrations and pertinent questions, it encourages children to think about what makes them feel happy, sad, angry or even bored. Activities are provided at the back of the book for children to explore their emotions through art and imaginative play. This is a perfect picture book for preschoolers who are still learning to understand and control their own emotions and to empathise with how others are feeling.
Lost! A True Tale from the Bush
Filed in Writing on Aug.28, 2009
Shortlisted, Eve Pownall Award for Information Books, Children’s Book Council of Australia, Book of the Year Awards 2010
Honour Book, Eve Pownall Award for Information Books, CBCA Junior Judges Awards
About Lost!
Tales of children lost in the bush have frightened and fascinated the Australian public since colonial times. In August 1864, three children––Isaac aged nine, Jane seven, and Frank just three––survived for nine long days and eight cold winter nights in the desolate mallee scrub of the Wimmera District of western Victoria. They walked for nearly 100 kilometres with no food or shelter and very little water. Against all the odds, the children were finally found, very ill but alive. This is their inspiring story.
Lost! A True Tale from the Bush (National Library of Australia, 2009, $29.95) retells a part of Australia’s colonial history for a primary school and junior secondary audience. It includes seven information sections which provide entertaining and informative insights into how children lived in the 1860s. It also showcases stunning artwork and photographs from the Pictures Collection of the National Library of Australia.
Stephanie with Lost! under the Story Bridge in Brisbane for the CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2010
Colour My World!
Filed in Writing on Aug.20, 2009
Colour My World! (National library of Australia, 2009) is a picture book for preschoolers and junior primary children which celebrates colours and how they make us feel.
Colours are all around us, but there is more to colour than meets the eye. Colours are often associated with feelings. Red can be warm and cheery, or represent anger or danger. Blue can be fresh and cheeky, or sad and cold.
Illustrated with black-and-white images of children from the amazing Pictures Collection of the National Library of Australia, Colour My World! invites children to interact with colours and to think about how they make them feel and where they can find them in the world around them.
This is an interactive book, with a charming text and questions aimed at encouraging children to think about the role that colours play in their life. A section at the end of the book provides more information about colours, their different shades and connotations.
