Book launch and flowergirl fun!

Karen and I (and the gorgeous bouquet she gave me)

On Wednesday July 6th, the Arana Hills Library very kindly hosted the launch of Pippa the perfect flowergirl. It was an amazing event – the library was full of fun, food and, of course, flowergirls! Karen Withers, who I have become friends with through my association with the library, launched the book for me. Karen has always been very involved in children’s events at the library, and has been incredibly supportive of me and my work. Thanks, Karen!

A special moment for me - reading the book out loud to children for the first time

Once I’d given a talk about how I came to write the book, I read the first couple of chapters to a group of children for the first time. It was wonderful to look out at their faces as I read, and to see them engrossed in the story. There wasn’t time to read the whole thing, and there were some disappointed children when I closed the book at the end of Chapter Three!

When the formalities were over, the real fun began! The kids made flowergirl baskets and did a flower hunt through the library. Then the wedding music started and the flowergirls and attendants got to walk down the aisle. My good friend, Angela Sunde (author of Pond Magic, Aussie Chomps), was happy to play the bride and led the flowergirls down the aisle to the music. Well, at least she thought she was leading them – there were flowergirls everywhere! They first walked down the aisle to the traditional wedding march, there there was a bit of fun as they walked down to Abba’s “I do, I do, I do”. It was a beautiful moment, one I know I will remember forever.

Angela Sunde - the perfectly perfect bride!

I was so busy signing books that I missed seeing all the basket making and flower hunting fun. I even missed the food! But apparently it was spectacular and I am very grateful to my family and the library staff and volunteers who worked hard to put on a spread fit for a real wedding!

Terri from Angus & Robertson (Morayfield) was there to sell books for me to sign, and we were kept busy for quite a while. Thanks, Terri, for coming along for the fun!

It was great to be surrounded by so many friends and family who have supported me along the way. I am very lucky to be involved with a fantastic writing community in Brisbane; writing will never be a lonely profession with such good friends beside me. Thanks for coming along, guys!

Some of the Brisbane writing gang - Angela Sunde, Me, Michael Gerard Bauer, Sheryl Gwyther and Katherine Battersby

All this good fun was provided by the totally awesome staff at the Arana Hills Library. I have been involved with this library since I was in primary school, so to be able to hold the launch here meant a lot to me. Thanks especially to Corrinne, Amy and Majella for all the hard work, imagination and enthusiasm you put into making this event a success … a perfectly perfect success! You guys rule!

Me and the Arana Hills Library Wedding Planners - Corrinne, Amy and Majella. Thanks, guys!

Thank you to everyone who came along on the day. Pippa the perfect flowergirl is officially launched!

Thank you to everyone who brought in their wedding dresses to put on display. This is the back of my wedding dress with a photo from my wedding

Thank you to Lynn Priestley for being the perfectly perfect photographer and providing these great photos. Click here to see some of her amazing artwork.