How author and Mum Shelly Unwin makes education fun
THU 13 JULY 2017
Sometimes with kids books there can be a bit of a separation between education and fun – you’ve got the counting and alphabet picture books in one corner and stories in another.
Shelly Unwin is a Mum of two and an author who has managed to bridhe that gap with her “You’re” series. The books are aimed at kids one to five and celebrate each year with rhymes that also help kids learn about counting and the world.
Shelly opens up about how she turned a dream into an adorable and clever book series and what the future holds.
Blast Off! blasts off!
Over the last few weeks I’ve had the enormous joy of launching my latest picture book, Blast Off! 
in Sydney and Canberra. It is such a fun book to launch with kids. I’ve transformed them into little astronauts before we’ve taken a trip around the solar system alongside the characters in the book.
At Baker College, the boys loved testing their astronaut reaction times and launching a rocket at the end of a dramatic countdown – love the teachers face in that photo! (can you spot the rocket flying through the air?)
At the Lindfield Learning Hub I was joined by the amazing Ben Wood who illustrated Blast Off! He created an awesome whacky planet with the kids ideas, they loved his alien with 32 legs, and the fruity sky, as well as playing with their own ideas on black paper with oil pastels.
At the Deep Space Communication Complex, Moon Rock Cafe in Canberra we had fun in the NASA astronaut suit, and the kids tested their astronaut fitness levels as well as trying to put a puzzle back together wearing Space Gloves. And how amazing does their artwork look against the backdrop of a Canberra blue sky and a satellite dish?!!!
At Harry Hartog, Woden I was interviewed by the beautiful Claire, who wanted to know all about my favourite planet, which planet I would visit if I had the chance, and who I would take with me. The mini astronauts tested their bravery and did some wonderful star jumps before we went adventuring into space.
I’ve been signing lots of books too, you’ll find signed copies at Dymocks Canberra City, The National Library of Australia book shop, Paperchain in Manuka, Dymocks Belconnen, Harry Hartog Woden, Kinokuniya Sydney, The Children’s Bookshop Beecroft and The Lindfield Learning Hub.
A HUGE thank you for event support to:
James & Claire – Harry Hartog Woden
Paul & Beth – The Children’s Bookshop Beecroft
Louise & Lindy – The Lindfield Learning Hub
David – The Moon Rock Cafe, Deep Space Communication Complex, Canberra
All of the gorgeous staff and children at Barker College
Photo credits to Leanne Barrett and Amelia Mcinerney.
Launched!
The first of the launch parties took place on friday last week, and what a wonderful day and experience. The kids had a blast listening to the stories, singing along and of course, eating cake. Here are some pics from the big day…
Counting Down to Release Day
It feels a bit like being on Master Chef, we’ve had 2 hours (2 years) to get ready for the release of these books at a (fairly) leisurely pace and now we’re in the last two minutes (2 weeks), frantically plating up (preparing to launch). So much has to happen in the last couple of weeks. Here are a few of the things we’ve been up to…
(Above: Katherine has prepared some artwork that will be framed in time for the launch.)
(Above: We’ve recorded a video of Katie reading You’re One! to beautiful one year old, Minnie, to be played at the launch)
(Above: Cupcakes have been baked (and eaten!) In celebration of the arrival of my copies of You’e One! – You’re Five!)
I can’t wait to see the first books hit the shelves on the 24th May and to Launch the books officially on the 1st June, with a number of launch parties to follow. Check out my blog post ‘Launch Time’ for details of how you can get involved in a launch.
You’re One! You’re Two! You’re Three! You’re Four! and You’re Five! Picture Book series with Allen & Unwin. Due for release on the 1st June 2017. Illustrated by Katherine Battersby.
Illustration sneak peek.
Signed, Sealed and so excited!
Have you got an illustrator? Yessss!!!
Due for release in early 2018
A non-fiction Picture Book, Blast Off! with Penguin Random House. To be illustrated by the amazingly talented and incredibly funny Ben Wood. https://shellyunwin.com/2016/11/14/ http://www.benwoodillustrations.com
