Cirrus@Austlit

'Gregory John Rogers was one of Australia's most highly regarded cover artists, and most revered picture book illustrators. His untimely death at 55 has left his family, partner, many friends and readers deeply bereft at the loss of such a creative genius. Ann James and Ann Haddon, his dear friends at Books Illustrated, have called him 'a national treasure' and as time goes by, the truth of this will become even clearer to those who admire and respect his work. This article celebrates his major achievements, the development o his body of work over the years, and the joy he gave to all the many people he encountered while 'rollicking' along that way.'

'What a fun opportunity to be given : a chance to interview Jackie French at the recent Sydney Writer's Festival School Day in Penrith. I had only heard her speak once before, to a large school group at Katoomba several years ago. Prior to that, as a children's bookseller I had read several of her books, admired her prolific and consistent output, and vaguely noticed her bobbing up on the like of Burke's Backyard every so often. What I wasn't prepared for, that day in Katoomba, was to be blown away by listening to someone with such an interesting and vigorous mind It was the equivalent of expecting a straightforward motorway trip and instead being treated to n off-road adventure: more challenging and much more memorable.' (Author's introduction)