Bowerbird Publishing

25/08/2026

Jacki McNab Heather Stewart

I'm so excited to introduce you to the team behind 'Astrid of Skaldvik', a new children's book being launched THIS Saturday.

For those of you in FNQ, you will appreciate how special this collaboration is... we have an author from Mossman, an illustrator from Mt Molloy, and a Deaf Consultant who splits her time between FNQ, Brisbane and Scotland. How amazing!

Here's a little about each of these incredible talents:
📚Jacki McNab is an experienced Auslan (Australian Sign Language) interpreter who has worked closely with the Deaf community for over a decade. Through her writing, she is passionate about creating authentic, inclusive stories that celebrate Deaf voices, increase representation and help every child feel seen, understood and connected.

🎨Heather Stewart is an emerging illustrator and lifelong artist whose daughter, Paige, remains her greatest inspiration. Astrid of Skaldvik marks her professional debut in children’s literature, where she hopes her hand-drawn illustrations inspire imagination, a love of reading and the magic of storytelling.

👂🏼Erin Davies is a Deaf primary school teacher and Auslan translator with a passion for storytelling and accessible bilingual education. She loves bringing children’s books to life through creativity and expression to create engaging story experiences. With a strong connection to the Deaf community, Erin is dedicated to sharing the richness of Auslan and helping children develop a love of stories.

This is also your reminder to get along to Jacki McNab's author talk at Mossman Library THIS Saturday from 10 am, in celebration of Multicultural Month 🍺

Join me in congratulating these talented creatives 🩷💜❤️

.author Douglas Shire Council Douglas Libraries What's On Cairns

22/08/2026

I'm so excited to introduce you to the team behind 'Astrid of Skaldvik', a new children's book being launched THIS Saturday.

For those of you in FNQ, you will appreciate how special this collaboration is... we have an author from Mossman, an illustrator from Mt Molloy, and a Deaf Consultant who splits her time between FNQ, Brisbane and Scotland. How amazing!

Here's a little about each of these incredible talents:
📚Jacki McNab is an experienced Auslan (Australian Sign Language) interpreter who has worked closely with the Deaf community for over a decade. Through her writing, she is passionate about creating authentic, inclusive stories that celebrate Deaf voices, increase representation and help every child feel seen, understood and connected.

🎨Heather Stewart is an emerging illustrator and lifelong artist whose daughter, Paige, remains her greatest inspiration. Astrid of Skaldvik marks her professional debut in children’s literature, where she hopes her hand-drawn illustrations inspire imagination, a love of reading and the magic of storytelling.

👂🏼Erin Davies is a Deaf primary school teacher and Auslan translator with a passion for storytelling and accessible bilingual education. She loves bringing children’s books to life through creativity and expression to create engaging story experiences. With a strong connection to the Deaf community, Erin is dedicated to sharing the richness of Auslan and helping children develop a love of stories.

This is also your reminder to get along to Jacki McNab's author talk at Mossman Library THIS Saturday from 10 am, in celebration of Multicultural Month 🍺

Join me in congratulating these talented creatives 🩷💜❤️

.author Douglas Shire Council Douglas Libraries What's On Cairns

22/08/2026

Such a fantastic day at Yungaburra Book Fair today. Thank you Chris Tsilemanis for bringing us authors together so beautifully for another year. So proud of my authors who came to meet the locals and talk about their books. Jeremy Tager Chantal Munro Rose Isherwood bob greedy goat homestead case case Josephine Case

21/08/2026

🎊🎉🥳NEW RELEASE!🎊🎉🥳

'The Day of the Bouncy Cow' by Jo & Jason Case.

Book #2 in the Greedy Goat Homestead Adventure series, introduces young readers to Marilyn the cow. When Farmer Jo decides it's time to move Marilyn to another paddock, she's expecting a quiet stroll across the farm, but Marilyn has other ideas! With one giant burst of energy, the bouncy cow takes off at full speed, leaving Farmer Jo racing after her through the paddock.
Before she knows it, there's a fence to jump, a pair of stubborn gumboots and one very embarrassing upside-down moment!

Congratulations Jo & Jason, I can't wait to celebrate with you at your official launch in Mareeba on 28th September.

21/08/2026

I hope to see you in Yungaburra tomorrow !

20/08/2026

✨📸 PHOTO of the WEEK 📸✨

A huge congratulations to Bowerbird Publishing author, Alison Fitzsimmons, on her journey over to Perth for the WA Catholic Education Early Childhood Conference where she took her publications and new project 'IRIS'.
IRIS (Inspiring Reading in Setting) is best explained as... 'a beautiful response to Australia’s growing oral language challenge. IRIS is a story, language and ecological belonging initiative for kindergartens and early childhood settings.'
You can find out more here: https://irisworld.au/

In this photo, Alison is holding her latest upcoming publications, 'The Universe Story: Where Two Wonders Meet' and 'Our Home: The One Hundred Languages of Laudato Si'. I'm beyond proud of you Alison. What you are doing for the next generations is outstanding. The literary world is lucky to have such a fierce yet gentle advocate like you. Congratulations!

Here are other links for you to explore Alison's work and publications:
https://babybearschair.com.au/
www.bowerbirdpublishing.com/bookshop

18/08/2026

Important Notice: Email Impersonation

18/08/2026

Important Notice: Email Impersonation

17/08/2026

How ✨FAB is this cover for Book 2 in the Langdon Family Saga: The Narrow House of Clay - A New Land...

Creating this cover was made extra special when author June English Author suggested the famous painting by Tom Roberts, 'Shearing the Rams' (1890) would be a perfect match for the book. I have to agree, and seeing it all come together, looking unique from Book 1, yet still 100% unmistakebly belonging to it, I'm very proud of this creation.

Special thanks must go to the National Gallery of Victoria for permission to use this iconic artwork.

I can't wait for you all to read the second instalment of 'The Narrow House of Clay' - coming SOON!

17/08/2026

From 🏃‍♀️Lorna Jane to 🌟Jessica Rowe and many other incredible women in business, I have had the privilege to meet and learn from them at a couple of amazing event is Cairns this past week.
I've summarised my favourite bits and shared them in a blog, you can read it here: https://www.crystalleonardi.com/post/cairns-women-s-leadership-forum-lorna-jane

But in the meantime, here are some pics from the two events. Enjoy!