Appreciating books for kids

LOCAL book lovers have solidified plans to promote children's literature in the region by founding an Illawarra sub-branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia in February 2008. Woonona based children's author Di Bates, who is coordinating the move, has been holding unofficial children's book appreciation meetings at her house for the past seven years. Ms Bates said she decided it was about time for an official group for the region, with access to funding. “I've had a group of people meeting in my home in Woonona for about seven years,” Ms Bates said. “Last time there were nearly 30 people here and I thought it was time to formalise it.” Ms Bates said being part of the Children's Book Council will mean bigger, better things locally for children's literature and has already secured permission from the Council to found the sub-branch. “Being part of the CBCA will enable us to spread the word of books and reading through a wide range of different activities,” she said. “These would include author and illustrator visits, literary lunches, book expos, writing and illustrating competitions, conferences and book launches.” Ms Bates is the author of over 90 children's books and said parents love children's books because children are such a demanding audience, making most children's books fast-paced and interesting from the word go. “They're not intellectualised they're just bloody well written,” she said. Ms Bates, who is married to fellow children's author Bill Condon, said about 80 people have expressed interest in the group so far, and until the official founding of the Children's Book Council sub-branch next year she is asking for anyone who is interested to contact her. Ms Bates can be reached by phone on 4284 3020 or by email at dibates@enterprisingwords.com.