This July I’ve been invited back to the Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival, which is held in tropical Mackay (north Queensland), my old home town. I’ll be doing a series of book talks and illustration workshops, along with a number of other wonderful authors and illustrators. I had such a fabulous time at last year’s festival and am thrilled I’ll get to be involved again.
Unfortunately Squish Rabbit will not quite be published in time for the festival, so instead I’ve created a series of postcards and bookmarks featuring my characters. They’ll be for sale through the festival bookshop.
COMPETITION: For your chance to win a signed copy of one of my postcards and bookmarks just leave a comment on this post, telling me which ones you’d choose if you won. Once I return from the festival (21st July) I’ll draw a winner out of a hat and announce it in the comment thread. Make sure I have some way of contacting you in case you win!
22/07/10 UPDATE: Thanks for all who entered and said such lovely, supportive things. I decided to draw three winners, and they are – Lynne the Lurker, Meg McKinlay and Susan Bonaci. I drew the winning names using an online random number generator (I wrote a few names out on pieces of paper, wanting to stay true to my above promise to draw the names from a hat, before giving up – clearly I’m too impatient). In a strange twist of fate, each person chose a different character. I’ll contact you each individually to find out where to send your prize…
the Well Read Rabbit || Katherine Battersby 
I, of course, would love a bookmark of Squish Rabbit – seeing as he and I have known each other a long time! :)
I love your beautiful illustrations, Katherine ~ I can see a bookmark of Squish Rabbit sitting nicely in my current read :)
I LOVE Monster Music!!!
You know where I am if your hand happens to find my name!
These are beautiful and I’m sure Squish will see many a festival once he is let out of the publisher’s bag…just try and stop him!
I’m going with Squish Rabbit, Katherine. I was born in the Year of the Rabbit. They’re all really cute! Joanna :))
I would have to choose Squish because he’s your debut baby, and who doesn’t love the idea of being swept away by a balloon? Enjoy the Festival & congrats on the exciting things that are happening for you.
I love them all Katherine and would be thrilled to receive any of them. You done a really great job. Good luck for the festival.
They all look gorgeous, but anyone who knows me knows it would have to be the (not) duck.
Hi Katherine, I would choose Monster Music! I love that little guy. Have fun at the festival.
Hi Katherine,
Congrats on your invitation to the Festival again. I would like to win the Monster Music set. You know how to find me. Cheers, Karen :))
If I pick Squish (because I do like him best) there is going to be sooo much comptetion, because I have just read 90% want Squish! So, maybe I should pick Not-Duck, or maybe Music Monster. But I can’t decide!!!… OK Squish… um… no, I will pick… Not-Duck!!! Yes, mind made up…S..Not-Duck!!!!!! hehehe.
Looking forward to seeing you at GCWA soon, Marion. :D
Have a blast at the festival, Katherine. I’d select all three bookmarks (they all look great) for my three little ones.
Cheers,
JJ
So mean making me choose! But I’ll go with Monster Music :-)
See you soon!
I thought I’d ask people to name their choice because it would reveal something about them, and I think it has! I’m learning much about you all :)
Haha. Well if that’s true Katherine, then you would know I’d pick Monster Music :)
P.S. They all look amazing! Have fun at the festival.
I wish I could say I, too, was born in the year of the rabbit. Instead, I was born in the year of the rat! Apparently, the motto of those born in the year of the rat is “I rule”. Well, that’s true of course, but it doesn’t help me pick a postcard. I think Squish Rabbit is my favourite but don’t tell the others as I wouldn’t want to hurt their feelings.
I love them all, but Monster Music appeals to me – as I can’t sing or whistle!
Kath,
Love all these fantastic characters and pics, Kath.
I hope Duck and Monster don’t take this the wrong way, but you know how obsessed I am with rabbits – so Squish definitely gets my vote.
Have a great time at the festival.
Dee:-)
Since both monsters and ducks have far too many other connotations in my not so long or sordid past, I’m gonna have to go with Squish. Quite apart from the fact that I think he’s pretty cool =)
ps Have a blast at the festival but don’t get too used to that warm weather up there =)
Please, can I have Monster Music? I really rather like him. You’re onto another winner, Kath. :))
Has to be Squish of course.
Brilliant idea by the way. Leave them all hanging out for the launch.
Jeff
They’re all so incredibly cute, Katherine. I was tossing up between Monster Music and Squish Rabbit, but I’ve decided to go with Monster Music. I can’t go past his floaty! Enjoy the festival.
Deb :)
Kath! I would love to have a signed “Squish Rabbit” because it makes me think of Oz. (And Gabriel would like a “Monster Music” because he’s his momma’s monster and I’m already convinced he’s going to grow up to be a singer in a rock band. He likes yelling at people already at 3 mos old!)
I just adore Squish Rabbit’s floppy ears and optimism…
Squish, squish, squish, squash!
I refuse to choose. I want them all. Gimme, gimme, gimme!
Mo
xxx
Hi Kath,
since you chose to buy my little rabbit mosaic brooch, how could I go past Squish?
Janeen
x
Hi Katherine,
I found your site and blog after reading the interview with you in the ACT Writers Centre magazine. I loved the not-duck illustrations so much I was really hoping to be able to but a copy of the finished book for my little girl! So it would have to be not-duck for me.
Jane
Thanks everyone for entering! I just updated the post with the winners, and will contact each of you about sending on your prize.
imotherofpearl – thanks for hopping by. Hopefully it will be in stores one day, we’ll just have to both be patient :)
Hooray! I’m so happy to have the Not-Duck, Katherine. Mail-box stalking shall commence immediately.
A huge thank you for the gorgeous Squish Rabbit bookmark and postcard. Such a cute and inspiring addition to my study! Can’t wait to see Squish in the flesh when your book hits the shelves.