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It's always a pleasure to go along to the monthly Focus Group meetings where we discuss a particular skill or aspect of writing. This time it wasn't characterisation or structure or pace, but something else we all need to know how to navigate - social media, a necessity for writers these days. The youngest members among us were the most clued up, of course, and brought us all up to speed on what we needed to know, extending our vocabulary with new definitions given to established words: tagsPosted: Tuesday 8 October 2019 -
Kidsbooksnz.blogspot have given Bonjour Lucy Bee a lovely review. "Fancy a quick trip to France?" they say. "All you need is a cuppa, a comfy place to read and this great book from Anne Ingram. Allons-y." After giving a synopsis, they comment that "The French phrases add a light handed authenticity, which coupled with the descriptive scene setting has you feeling like you are right there with Lucy. The plight of the refugees is handled well; there is no heavy lecturing, instead we are shownPosted: Friday 30 August 2019
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Review of Bonjour Lucy Bee in the July Magpies Magazine, very heartening. Reviewer, Melissa Spark says that "There is nothing overly political in this book; only the truth about human relationships, identity and empathy." She describes the book as "gently tackling the topic of prejudice, tolerance and the current refugee crisis, encouraging the reader to employ sensitivity for people who are displaced." And goes on to say, "The easy way this is written genuinely asks the year 6 reader or intePosted: Monday 12 August 2019 -
Such an enjoyable afternoon on Sunday when Philippa Werry came to talk to local writers about "The Telegram', her WW1 book for young readers which has been shortlisted for the Children's Book Awards. Philippa loves New Zealand history and has written a number of appealing titles that open up our past to young New Zealanders.Posted: Wednesday 31 July 2019 -
The Children's Bookshop in Kilbirnie was host yesterday to a one day workshop on writing and publishing for children. Organised by the Wellington Children's Book Association, six local writers and illustrators, each with a different area of expertise, gave the captive audience of 30 their top tips. Craft, collaborative writing, graphic novels, online marketing, book award judging and presenting at an overseas festival were all covered. And Ruth, owner of the Children's Bookshop gave us her infoPosted: Monday 22 July 2019 -
We're so lucky to have a very active Friends of the Libraries group in Kapiti. They not only have interesting speakers - authors, playwrights and poets usually, but last week we had editor Jane Parkin speaking. Our Kapiti Children's Writers were asked to speak recently too, and five of us talked about our work and later, sold copies of our books.Posted: Monday 15 July 2019 -
A thoughtful and considered review for Bonjour Lucy Bee, this one by Rebekah Fraser on the NZBooklovers site. To view, please see https://www.nzbooklovers.co.nz/post/bonjour-lucy-beeby-anne-ingramPosted: Friday 21 June 2019 -
Sapling, the brilliant online review site for children's books has a sample chapter of Bonjour Lucy Bee for you to read. It's where Lucy is introduced to the local French village and chateau, and where the first incident in the story occurs. Go to https://www.thesapling.co.nz/single-post/2019/06/11THE-SAMPLING-An-exerpt-from-Bonjour-Lucy-BeePosted: Tuesday 18 June 2019 -
How lovely of my calligraphy friends to make me cards for Bonjour Lucy Bee.Posted: Monday 17 June 2019 -
Such a generous review by Ann David on Good Reads. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45693758-bonjour-lucy-bee?from_search=truePosted: Tuesday 4 June 2019 -
Despite the weather bomb hitting Wellington last night, some dear friends and dedicated Francophiles braved the wind and the wet to come to Alliance Francaise to listen to me talk about how I came to write Bonjour Lucy Bee. We were given a warm welcome by the wonderful director, Nathalie Buckrell, and by Violette Duquesne who had organised a delicious buffet table of French cheeses, charcuterie, bread and French wine. What a lovely place to be! I almost felt I was back in France.Posted: Thursday 30 May 2019 -
I'd love you to come to Alliance Francaise Wellington this Thursday evening, 30 May, at 6pm where I'll be talking about how I came to write Bonjour Lucy Bee. I'll be giving a reading, answering questions and signing books. Please come and join us and enjoy some French nibbles and drinks.Posted: Monday 27 May 2019 -
Wonderful launch last night. Felt so honoured to have over 60 friends and booklovers there to help send Bonjour Lucy Bee out into the wide world. Thanks to the lovely Adrienne Bushell for launching the book and Anthony Dreaver for being a great MC. And special thanks to all who made it such a special evening.Posted: Friday 24 May 2019 -
Have just received my first review for Bonjour Lucy Bee from 9 year old Linus at Gladstone School. "Wonderful, amazing, one of the best books I've ever read." Thank you, Linus!Posted: Tuesday 21 May 2019
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My publishers, OneTree House, sent me today my first advance copy of Bonjour Lucy Bee. It looks great! I'm so pleased with the cover and the nice paper. Just to be able to hold in your hand the book you've loved and laboured over gives you a feeling of immense satisfaction and pleasure. Then, it's time to think of the launch and getting the book out to its readers.Posted: Monday 29 April 2019 -
As New Zealanders were all devastated by the news of terrorist attacks in Christchurch on our people in our place! So many of our communities nationwide have rallied in support of those who have lost family and friends in this terrible tragedy. Flowers, food, love and counselling, fund-raising, rallies against religious and racial intolerance, ecumenical services, concerts, and more. Our calligraphy club also wanted to show our support. Individually, we may have donated money, but we also waPosted: Wednesday 3 April 2019 -
I've just had a wonderful weekend in Auckland at the New Zealand Society of Authors' Forum. Two and a half days of masterclasses, workshops and presentations by some of our best NZ writers. Also talks by video-link from the UK - Joanne Harris and from Australia - Morris Gleitzman. The highlight for me was one of the national treasures of Australia - John Marsden (pictured). I was fortunate enough to go to three sessions where I soaked up writerly wisdom from this icon of children's writing.Posted: Tuesday 25 September 2018 -
OneTree House, winner of the 2018 Children's Publisher of the Year (Oceania section) at the Bologna Book Fair, is to publish Bonjour Lucy Bee! Obviously I couldn't be more pleased. OneTree House won this year's award for their creative and publishing excellence, and for their originality, professional and intellectual skills. The award is also designed to foster a mutual exchange of knowledge and ideas among different nations and areas of the world. It seems that Bonjour Lucy Bee may fit intPosted: Friday 27 July 2018
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It's been a long time coming, but the second in the Lucy Bee series is finally finished! This time, Lucy travels to France for a family reunion. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to become responsible for a young refugee or, as her cousin Celeste would call him, 'an illegal immigrant'. But this is what happens, and it's just the first of her many challenges... Now that the writing is done, the editing, the checking of facts, and the proofreading, there just remains the big one - publPosted: Tuesday 29 August 2017
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It's been a long time coming, but the second in the Lucy Bee series is finally finished! This time, Lucy travels to France for a family reunion. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to become responsible for a young refugee or, as her cousin Celeste would call him, 'an illegal immigrant'. But this is what happens, and it's just the first of her many challenges... Now that the writing is done, the editing, the checking of facts, and the proofreading, there just remains the big one - publPosted: Tuesday 29 August 2017
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Flying HIgh: Stories & Poems from Kapiti was launched this week with great excitement. Written and illustrated by the children of Kapiti, it is full of imaginative stories and poems and engaging drawings. We put out 100 chairs for the launch at our community centre and were astonished when people kept piling in. We must have had over 160 people. Fifty of those present were the talented children, aged 8-13, from our 12 local schools who had had their work published in Flying High. And most ofPosted: Friday 23 October 2015
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I'm busy working on my next Lucy Bee novel. This time, Lucy goes to France where she meets relations she never knew she had. Everything is wonderful except for one thing. And then, something else happens. She needs to learn French to get by. Before long she is thrust into an amazing adventure.Posted: Monday 28 September 2015
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'What is your favourite animal?" - "What sport did you play when you were our age?" - "Did you always want to be a writer?" These were just some of the questions from the children at Miramar North School when I visited them this week as one of the writers in the Writers in School scheme run by the New Zealand Book Council. It was an exhilarating visit as the children there are so enthusiastic about reading and writing. There was absolute silence when I read to them, and then a forest of handPosted: Friday 4 September 2015