Bums and Roses at the Going West Storyfest

Pretty cupcakes for the Storyfest

Party Food for Girls was once more on tour, today at the Storyfest with another sugar roses' workshop for children (of all ages) and a baking demonstration too. We started with baking cupcakes at 10am, and then we moved to our workshop table to show the kids how to make sugar roses and decorate their own cupcakes.

 

Arantxa and Martina teaching the children how to make sugar roses.

Next table down we had lovely Dawn McMillan (pictured here with Libro International children book editor Carolyn Lagahetau). Dawn is the author of I need a new bum!, an hilarious new book all about ... Bums! She was at the Storyfest with illustrator Ross Kinnaird who did a lot of sketches for the children present. And we had so many children around, all reading books and attending all the creative workshops that Storyfest had to offer. 

Literally hundred of children came to our stall to make sugar roses, here is what some of them made.

I would like to thank Martina and Arantxa for helping all day long (9:30 to 4:30!), and everyone at Going West for organizing another wonderful Book & Writers Festival. Well done!

Photos by Alessandra Zecchini ©

Warrior Kids

Last night I was at the launch of Libro International latest book: Warrior Kids, the manual of a bold programme that teaches children self-mastery and conflict resolution through a blend of Maori and Eastern martial arts, and counselling. The programme has been developed by Tim Tipene over 18 years of teaching around New Zealand and over the years has helped many children and families in New Zealand. I made the food for the launch, happy to support  Tim in his endeavour to target issues like bullying, lack of confidence or abuse in the home, issues that greatly effect our children and community.

Photos by Alessandra Zecchini©

You can read more about it here 

Spiego anche in italiano, perché mi sembra giusto informare: ieri sono stata alla presentazione di questo libro, che è un manuale per insegnanti e persone che lavorano con bambini vittime di abuso, di bullismo, e con problemi come ADHD o forte emotività. Insegna arti marziali come sistema di autodifesa, ma soprattutto autocontrollo, concentrazione, e autodisiplina. Fondamentale in questo programma è la funzione terapeutica e psicologica: si crea l’ambiente giusto e sicuro dove i bambini e ragazzi possano esprimersi, si parla in gruppo o individualmente, prima che sia troppo tardi. Io ho preparato il buffet, ed è stata una bella serata.

Photos by Alessandra Zecchini©

A book for New Zealanders and Italians

Maybe this is becoming a bit of a book blog, but I wanted to share with you a project that we have been working on for over a year now. And I believe that this is a very special book which means a lot to many Italians and Kiwis alike.

For 50 years after the end of the Second World War, most people in the Chianti region between Florence and Siena did not know that New Zealand forces had been the ones to liberate them from Nazi German occupation in the summer of 1944.

It took research by Stefano Fusi, then mayor of Tavarnelle (near Florence), and his New Zealand wife Jill Gabriel, to affirm that the liberators had been not Americans but soldiers of the 2^nd New Zealand Division, many of whom never made it home.

Last year we were in Italy to celebrate 25 April (both Anzac Day and Italy liberation Day) in Tavarnelle, it was a wonderful and moving occasion, I have already written about it here.

The city of Tavarnelle has build a monument to the fallen soldiers, the New Zealanders' names (listed here) sit at the top, followed by the names of the Italian soldiers. 

The Tavarnelle monument to the fallen soldiers (for a full list of the NZ soldiers click here) 

Then in 2009 a book - I Giorni della Liberazione: Le truppe neozelandesi da San Donato alle porte di Firenze, was published in Italy, and tomorrow the New Zealand edition - To the Gateways of Florence: New Zealand Forces in Tuscany 1944, will be launched in Wellington. More launches in Christchurch and Auckland will follow during the next 2 weeks. Stefano and Jill, as well as the current Mayor of Tavarnelle, are here in New Zealand for the occasion, if you are interested in history, or if you are a descendant of a WWII soldier in Italy, you can find more info here.

I know that my dad, who experienced Nazi German occupation and war, would have loved this book, and I wish that he was here to see it, so I will save a copy for my children instead, because history is important.

Photo of Tavarnelle monument by Alessandra Zecchini ©

Polynesian Navigation and the Discovery of New Zealand

The discovery of New Zealand by Polynesian navigators represents the culmination of one of the great waves of world exploration. A book for sailors, historians, geographers, travelers. For more informations click here .

From Silence to Voice

From Silence to Voice: The Rise of Maori Literature, by Paola Della Valle

If you are interested in New Zealand and Maori writing, Paola Della Valle provides an accessible account of how writers like Patricia Grace and Witi Ihimaera established a Maori voice in literature, with a close analysis of many of the key texts in modern Maori writing. Published by Libro International

First book of the year by Libro International

The first release of 2010 from Libro International is about to go to the printer. The Castle in Our Backyard comes from the talented group of young people behind Sharing Our Stories, a concept to teach younger readers about the history and geography of the landscapes they inhabit, showing that their immediate environment has as much drama and excitement as video games or TV. Written by Sharing Our Stories member Malcolm Paterson and illustrated by Leah Mulgrew, this engaging story for primary and intermediate age readers will be released in English and Maori editions in mid-June, at the time of the Matariki festival.

For more details go to Libro International.

Nga Waka o Neherā

The history of New Zealand is fascinating, and particularly fascinating is the history of the early settlements of Maori who voyaged by canoe (waka) across the oceans to reach Aotearoa.

ISBN: 978-1-877514-04-3

THE BOOK:

Finally back in print after more than five years, this is the essential reference work to the traditions of Maori canoes that voyaged to New Zealand – including lists of the waka, names of crew members and vessels, karakia and waiata, and maps. A must for lovers of history, students of Maori and nautical enthusiasts.

This is the second in a programme of short-run reissues of important New Zealand books by Libro International.

THE AUTHOR:

Jeff Evans is a writer and photographer who works for leading clients in New Zealand and overseas. An authority on Maori canoes, Jeff is also the author of Waka Taua: The Maori War Canoe, The Discovery of Aotearoa and Maori Weapons in Pre-European New Zealand, and editor of Elsdon Best’s Notes on the Art of War. Jeff lives in Waitakere City.

First To Care

Celebrating 125 years of the Order of St John in New Zealand, 1885–2010, one of our most ubiquitous and vital charitable organisations.

Click here

Support the Karekare Surf Lifesaving Club

The Karekare Surf Lifesaving Club warmly invites you to a book night in the Club on Sunday the 25th of October at 7.00pm.

Cash bar & book sales.

Speakers: Bob Harvey on The Iron-Bound Coast,

Ted Scott on his book Spirit of the West

Entry: Koha/Donation to the Club’s NEW BUILDING FUND

Book Launch and Chilled Cucumber Soup

The Iron-Bound Coast book launch

12 September 2009 - Going West Books & Writers Festival

Oratia Media was pleased to launch the third title of its Libro International book list - The Iron-Bound Coast: Karekare in the Early Years - at the Going West festival. On stage, publisher Peter Dowling and writer Bob Harvey spoke to a crowd of over 150 about the historical significance of the book and its wry and witty tales, while a slideshow of old pictures in the background gave an insight of Karekare at the beginning of last century. Author Wallace Badham died in 2001, but he was represented by family members including son, Warwick.

Thanks to the Badham family, the local organisations that supported the book, our talented publishing team, and the fine people behind the Going West festival for their help in making this a memorable night.

Read more about the making of The Iron-Bound Coast book, and an interview with Bob Harvey on the Western Leader

Bookman and blogger Graham Beattie was there to report on the Festival.

Beattie's Book Blog

And after the talks the celebrations continued with Italian nibbles made by Oratia Media Creative Director Alessandra Zecchini, and wine offered by Artisan Wines.

And now a final note: a few guests from the launch asked to know the recipe of the chilled cucumber soup, so here it is:

Alessandra's Chilled Cucumber Soup

Ingredients:

1 telegraph cucumber

A few generous pinches of salt

4 tbsp white balsamic condiment (or white aromatic vinegar)

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

5 fresh mint leaves

2 garlic cloves, peeled

750 ml plain full cream yogurt

Salt and pepper to taste.

Carrot sticks and Borage flowers to decorate.

Slice the cucumber (do not peel) and place in a colander with salt. Stir and let the cucumber sweat for 30 minutes. Rinse well under cold running water and then place in a blender with the vinegar (only use white vinegar). Let the cucumber absorb the vinegar for 10 minutes, the add extra virgin olive oil, mint, garlic and yogurt. Blend a few times, until liquid and lightly frothy. Adjust with salt and pepper to taste and store in the fridge until serving time. Shake well before serving (in shot glasses) and decorate with thin carrot sticks and borage flowers.

Going West Books & Writers Festival 2009

The Going West Books and Writers Festival comprises an exciting range of word-based events including the theatre

season, poetry slam, rare and second-hand book market, writers in schools programme, the literary weekend - bringing together

writers and performers from around the country and Storyfest, the free family day.

The festival will be running from 17 August - 26 September

at various venues in Waitakere City.

Celebrate the West:

Westside Forever - FREE Afternoon

Saturday 12 September

4:30 to 5:30 - An insiders look at 'Outrageous Fortune' with James Griffin, Rachel Lang and Robyn Malcolm (Cheryl)

5:30 Book launch - The Ironbound Coast - Karekare in the Early Years,

with wine and nibbles (by Alessandra)

For the Festival Programme click here

The Iron-Bound Coast: Karekare in the early years

The Iron-Bound Coast is a rare book. Discovered by writer and Waitakere City mayor Bob Harvey while researching Auckland’s spectacular west coast, the two manuscripts for the work were written in long hand with photos laboriously pasted in. Wally Badham had set out to preserve his crystal-clear memories of early Karekare for his nieces, but has created a work of living history that speaks to all New Zealanders.

Bob Harvey recalls his excitement on discovering The Iron-Bound Coast: “I realised this is truly a rich gem, a legacy of not only remote Karekare beach, but a grand story of this country. Wally speaks in a voice that reflects the time; a time that is now rapidly fading in memory and people.”

Illustrated with 215 photos, most never before published, this hardback edition marks the third release of the Libro International book imprint from Waitakere-based publisher Oratia Media.

Managing director Peter Dowling heralded the publication: “We are thrilled to publish The Iron-Bound Coast, a work of historical significance and entertaining content. We hope we’ve done Wally proud – everyone who reads it seems to fall under his spell.”

Review copies are available now; the book launches at theGoing West Books and Writers Festival on 12 September and will be in stores from 15 September.

Extracts and photos from the work are available to selected media.

THE AUTHOR

Wallace Badham grew up at Karekare and left only with the onset of World War II. His unhappy later life belied the accomplishments and adventure of his youth, when he was among the first pilots in Auckland and spent days roaming across the remote valleys of the Waitkare Ranges. He retained a deep affection for the area and its history until his death in 2001.

THE EDITOR

Bob Harvey, historian, writer and mayor of Waitakere City, has edited the Badham text. A prolific author, Harvey is the author of six books centred on the west coast and its history, including Untamed Coast, Rolling Thunder and Wild Beast: The Art of Dean Buchanan. Bob spends much of his time at his beach home in Karekare.

THE PUBLISHER

The Iron-Bound Coast is the third book from Libro International, the new book division launched this year by Oratia Media. It followsOutrageous Fortune: The West Family Album, and Tim Tipene’s Kura Toa: Warrior School. Libro International is taking New Zealand history, Maori studies, children’s and general nonfiction titles to the world.

The Iron-Bound Coast: Karekare in the early years

Wallace Badham; edited by Bob Harvey

ISBN: 978-1-877514-01-2

Format: 200 pages, jacketed hardback

Publisher: Libro International, an imprint of Oratia Media Ltd, Auckland; www.oratiamedia.com

Recommended retail price: $60

The Outrageous Fortune Drinking Game

Libro International's latest book, Outrageous Fortune: The West Family Album,
is featured in the NZ Herald

(including an extract from the Outrageous Fortune drinking game).

Click here to read it, and happy drinking!

Outrageous Fortune, The West Family Album

Coming soon....

THE BOOK:  

Outrageous Fortune: The West Family Album is the ultimate fan handbook to New Zealand's favourite family, the Wests, and their associates from the hit TV3 show Outrageous Fortunes. Written by the show's writers and featuring the actors’ take on the series, the album features script extracts, a trivia quiz and a drinking game  – and probes the characters to reveal all from Cheryl’s recipes to Pascalle’s philosophy, Ted’s racing tips to the Tool Guy code.  

Written by James Griffin and Rachel Lang, the multiple award-winning creators and executive producers of Outrageous Fortune, and Tim Balme, who has been a storyliner and scriptwriter since the show’s second season. 

ISBN:    978-1-877514-00-5 

Working for children in Waitakere City

Click here to see images of Kura Toa book launch in Henderson.

Kura Toa

ISBN             978-1-877514-02-9

Summary 

Haki needs to find the pounamu that was stolen from him after a car crash. In his search he must confront his fears and find a way to answer the challenge to serve his people, his land, to fight a taniwha and to grow, ultimately becoming a warrior.

Author biography   

Tim Tipene has written several books for children and  received a Picture Book Honour Award  in the 2006 New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children & Young Adults with Haere, Farewell Jack Farewell. Tim is the leader of the Kura Toa/Warrior Kids warrior training programme for at-risk young people. He lives in Waitakere City and has two children.