Jessica's Box

2009-09-18jessicas_boxPeter Carnavas

My first book Jessica's Box was created as part of Virginia's e-course and I can't thank her enough.  My little picture book about a girl trying to make friends was published by New Frontier with very few changes and has since been given a second print run and has been shortlisted in a few awards.  Jessica's Box was shortlisted in the 2008 Queensland Premier's Literary Award, the 2009 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Award, the 2009 CBCA Crichton Award for Emerging Illustrators and listed as a CBCA Notable Book.  When I look back at the drafts I was writing before Create a Kids' Book, it's strikes me how much I have learned from Virginia.  Her advice is always incredibly constructive and leads only to stronger stories.  With a toe in the door of the industry, I'm now trying to squeeze the rest of my foot in with my second book, Sarah's Heavy Heart (New Frontier), with several more to follow in 2010.  I have also had the pleasure of exhibiting my illustrations at Marks and Gardner Gallery and have presented at writers festivals to both children and adults.