Kangapoo has left his bush camp and has been spotted in Orange City Library. Have you seen him? Local author Sandra Shepherd presents her unique books titled The Tail of Kangapoo, and Up The River with Kangapoo and Possumpoo.

These humorous and whimsical books illustrate the playful spirit and inquisitive nature of its characters. Children can meet Kangapoo (when they find him), have their face painted and get their books signed by the author. The book launch is supported by Boomers Bookstore and ABC Centre.

Join in all the fun with Kangapoo and Sandra Shepherd on Thursday 15 December 5.30pm at Orange City Library, Byng Street, Orange. Bookings essential: Ph: 6393 8132.

Here's a chance to learn from someone who knows the business of writing for children. Author Paul Stafford will host a second workshop, titled "Writing Children's Books",Saturday 31 July, 10am - 4pm at WPCC, Kurrajong Room, Community Arts Centre, in Dubbo. Paul's workshop covers all aspects of creating children's books, including brainstorming, developing ideas, collaboration, shortcuts, pathways to publication and overcoming obstacles to creativity. Paul is the author of 13 novels including the Pants On Fire series for Crawford Publishing and is also a literacy consultant with a focus on developing literacy in reluctant boy readers. This workshop will give direct access to a published author and allow participants to discuss and overcome any particular problems they are experiencing with their own work. New ideas generated in the previous workshop can be refined. This session will follow on from the first and look at works in progress. If you did not attend the first workshop, you will still find this one highly informative. Cost is $35 including lunch. Contact Peter Dargin on 02 6882 8880.

In 2010, two new prizes have been added to the Awards to recognise literature for younger reading audiences.

The two new categories--Young Adult and Children's fiction--acknowledge the importance of literature for young audiences and its power to give rise to a lifelong passion for books.

The winners of the four categories, fiction, non-fiction, young adult fiction and children's fiction will each receive a $100,000 tax-free prize, bringing the total Award prize to $400,000.

Call for entries Entries are invited to the Prime Minister's Literary Awards--Australia's richest literary prize for Fiction, Non-Fiction, Young Adult's Fiction and Children's Fiction.

The Prime Minister's Literary Awards recognise the contribution of Australian literature to the nation's cultural and intellectual life.

The Minister for the Arts called for authors, publishers and literary agents to enter their books into the 2010 Awards for the opportunity to win this prestigious literary award.

Works must be written by living Australian citizens or permanent residents, first published in English and first offered for general sale between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2009.

Entries are due at 5pm on Friday 16 April 2010.

More information including the guidelines and entry form can be found at www.arts.gov.au/pmliteraryawards

One warm and windy day, Charlie and his friends decide to fly a kite. It takes off and soars and swoops and plunges straight into a tree. The kite is stuck. One by one, Charlie's friends each try to free the kite with their toys all of which end up stuck in the tree along with the kite. Just when it looks as though everything is stuck forever, the cat loses its footing on a branch and sets off a chain reaction, sending their toys to the ground. But guess who is stuck now?"

Orange City Library together with Book City and Children's Medical Research Institute present Charlotte Calder reading her new children's book Stuck! beautifully illustrated by Mark Jackson, published by Walker Books at Storytime 11am on Tuesday 25 August at Orange City Library.

You can also meet Charlotte and help this local author launch the book during Children's Book Week at the Charlotte Calder Author Talk Tuesday 25 August, 5.30pm for 6pm, refreshments served at Orange City Library, Byng Street, Orange. Your $5 donation supports the Children's Medical Research Institute. Please RSVP to 6393 8132

Come along and meet popular children's author Michael Panckridge - author of the acclaimed Legends and Anniversary Legends series with Black Dog Books and mad keen sports fanatic when he visits libraries in the Central West. With more than 100,000 copies sold, the entire Legends first series has been re-issued. Both series are a culmination of many years of dedicated sports mania combined with an enthusiastic exploration of what boys and girls really want to read. He also writes adventure and mystery stories. Michael will be visiting the following venues: Orange City Library, Byng Street, Wednesday 21 January from 10.30am to 11.30am Cost $10 Ph: 6393 8132 to reserve your place. Molong Library, Bank Street, Wednesday 21 January, 2.30pm to 3.30pm, Cost $10 Ph: 6366 8404 to book. Cowra Library, Darling Street, Thursday 22 January 2.30pm – 3.30pm, Cost $10, Ph: 6340 2180 to RSVP. And Parkes Library ph 6861 2309 for details.

Calling all interested people – do you have a love of children's books? Do you care about what children are reading? Do you want to show children the beauty of books? Do you want to see more Australian literature taught in our schools? Do you want to help bring literary events and author visits to the local area for our children? Do you want to support Australian Children's Authors and illustrators and the Australian Publishing industry? We are seeking people who have an interest in children's books to help form a sub-branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia in Bathurst. Become involved, get to meet authors and illustrators, and help bring them to the region to meet our children. If you would like more information please contact Jeff Doherty on 0427 603 822 or send an email to jefferyedoherty@gmail.com.