December 07, 2017

A glorious tour in the South West of Sydney – 26 schools in 13 days

I’ve just had the most amazing time touring schools in the South West of Sydney. Everywhere I’ve been, I have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and appreciation of the students and teachers – and without hesitation, I can say that I have met some of the most respectful and beautifully behaved children I have ever encountered – anywhere in the world. Then there was the food – we found some pretty special little cafes and delicatessens on our travels too!

We kicked off our tour in Bonnyrigg with Mrs Grasso and her amazing students and finished up in Chipping Norton with Mrs Washington and a very enthusiastic crowd on a rather hot day. On the days in between we visited Harrington Street PS, Miller PS, Sadlier PS, Earlwood PS, St John’s Park PS, Milperra PS, William Stimson PS, Casula PS, Glenfield PS, All Saints’ Greek Orthodox in Belmore, McCallums Hill PS, St Therese Catholic Primary School in Sadlier, Clemton Park PS, Wiley Park PS, St Catherine of Siena in Prestons, All Saints’ Liverpool, St Hurmizd Assyrian Primary School in Greenfield Park, Edensor Park PS, Kemps Creek PS, Good Shepherd at Hoxton Park, Sacred Heart Cabramatta, Liverpool PS, and St Gertrude’s Smithfield. I also visited Blaxcell Street Primary School this week to present Suenna Jong with her special prize for winning the Premier’s Reading Challenge NewsLocal Words and Art Competition for her illustration from Roald Dahl’s The Witches. It was my pleasure to be ‘the prize’ and spend an hour or so with the students in Year 5 and 6.

I have loved touring in the South West – it was a privilege to work with the children and teachers – the emails and cards I’ve received have been absolutely heartwarming. I hope I get to come back again soon.

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Comments

Halle

 

Dear Jacqueline,

Is going to that many schools in that many days a record?

That is so cool Jacqueline.

December 7, 2017 at 7:29 pm

Kyla

 

Those girls must be REALY LUCKY seeing you!!!!!
Do you think you can come to New Zealand next? Sorry if I keep on bagging.

December 9, 2017 at 5:03 am

Avia

 

Which book has the most lucinta moments

December 11, 2017 at 7:39 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    That’s a tricky one Avia. I think China has quite a few and Hollywood as well. But there are smatterings in other books. Perhaps the next one might have some more as well.

    Best wishes,
    Jacqueline

    December 15, 2017 at 12:04 pm

Zoe

 

It sounds awesome

December 14, 2017 at 6:55 am

Zoe

 

It sounds awesome.

December 14, 2017 at 6:55 am

Ava vanderplas

 

Hello Mrs. Harvey,
I am 7 years old and I’ve read all the Clementine Rose books and now I’ve started the Alice-Miranda books. I’m now enjoying To the rescue.Just a suggestion for the next competition.Maybe we could dress up a doll as an Alice-Miranda or Clementine Rose character.
From Ava

December 14, 2017 at 11:54 am

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Hi Ava,

    That’s a great idea for a competition – I’ll definitely keep that in mind. You are a fabulous reader to have read all of Clemmie and be starting on Alice-Miranda. I think excellent reading skills must run in your family :).

    Best wishes,
    Jacqueline

    December 15, 2017 at 12:08 pm

Kyla

 

Jacqueline Harvey is the best-telling Arthur in the whole world!

December 14, 2017 at 2:07 pm

Tamara b

 

What’s this months competition?

December 19, 2017 at 10:10 am

Kyla

 

I’m reading Clementine Rose and the birthday emergency. I ADORE the pictures.
They look SOOOOO realistic!
I espesaly like the one in the end, when Clementine comes in the door (in a wheelchair) and everyone in the room is dressed up for her birthday party.

(So cute!)

December 19, 2017 at 1:34 pm

Grace

 

Wow they are so lucky!
It must be awesome for an author to visit your school!

Grace!

December 19, 2017 at 2:10 pm

Zoe

 

It was my birthday yesterday and I got Alice-Miranda in HollyWood. Kyla is sssssssssooooooooooooooo jealous. I think I am going to get another one for Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My friend Layla likes your books! Merry Christmas Jacqueline. I was major disappointed that my birthday is before Kensy and Max comes out! I still adore your books!!! My favourite is Alice Miranda in Japan . Kyla’s is Alice Miranda at the Palace! You inspired me to be a author although I am going to be a part time author, part time teacher! I cannot believe that Layla’s name is in Alice Miranda in HollyWood!

December 21, 2017 at 12:24 pm

Zoe

 

It was my birthday yesterday and I got Alice-Miranda in HollyWood. Kyla is sssssssssooooooooooooooo jealous. I think I am going to get another one for Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My friend Layla likes your books! Merry Christmas Jacqueline. I was major disappointed that my birthday is before Kensy and Max comes out! I still adore your books!!! My favourite is Alice Miranda in Japan . Kyla’s is Alice Miranda at the Palace!! I cannot believe that Layla’s name is in Alice Miranda in HollyWood!

December 21, 2017 at 12:25 pm

    Kyla

     

    Zoe said that I can read Alice Miranda in Holly-Wood.
    But she does not need to any more,because I have my own.

    But it was nice of her to let me.

    December 27, 2017 at 2:46 pm

Colleen Beahan

 

Colleen says
Why do you try Glennie Toowoomba. Sorry if i am pushing you?

December 22, 2017 at 9:41 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Hi Colleen,

    I am coming to Toowoomba this year and I really hope that the Glennie School will be on my tour schedule. When you go back to school perhaps you can let your librarian know that I will be touring.

    Best wishes,
    Jacqueline

    January 4, 2018 at 6:44 pm

A Confused Gal

 

I LOVE your books Ms. Harvey! But why do you make your characters so perfect? I feel sad when I realize majority of the adventures can’t happen to anyone normal. And Alice-Miranda is too perfect (and rich and loved) to be real. Please respond!

December 27, 2017 at 7:30 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Hello Kenechi,

    I have actually met and taught a few girls who remind me a lot of Alice-Miranda. Not because they are outrageously rich like her but because of their beautiful kind attitudes and incredible generosity of spirit. I didn’t grow up anything like her either but as an adult I’ve had lots of adventures that are a bit like hers (not the private jets and being friends with the queen but I’ve certainly travelled and met some amazing people). Perhaps we can all aspire to ‘modified adventures’ but I think the main thing is that I want readers to enjoy her kindness. I think Alice-Miranda is really the only character who is close to perfect. Lots of her friends have flaws (and Alice-Miranda does too – she questions that she’s a bit of a busy body at times and that she has to learn that she can’t fix everything). I have just written a scene in the next AM book where Millie and Caprice are having a great old argument.

    I’m so thrilled that you enjoy the stories but you have to remember they are on the fantastical side of real!

    Best wishes,
    Jacqueline

    December 28, 2017 at 5:21 pm

      Taylah

       

      The first thing I saw when I read this was,

      ‘Mille and Caprice having a great old argument’

      Ah, yes, they’ll never get old.

      I’m also a fan of the Jacinta and Caprice fights.

      Ah, Caprice the good ol’ troublemaker.

      (Tbh I’m quite scared of her. *thinks back to AM 10* yes I definitely am scared of her!)

      January 31, 2018 at 8:28 pm

Kyla

 

What is your favorite : Alice Miranda, Kensy and Max or Clementine Rose?

December 29, 2017 at 10:18 am

Anabel Caristo

 

Hi,
What Alice-Miranda book are you writing now?
Ps:IM YOUR BIGGEST FAN

January 2, 2018 at 7:31 am

Kyla and Zoe

 

Is there another series that you wrote called Code Name?

January 4, 2018 at 10:19 am

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Yes, a long time ago. The books were fun but I don’t think they’re my best work and they have very ugly covers! I don’t think you can buy them anymore 🙂

    January 4, 2018 at 5:49 pm

      Tamara K

       

      What is that series about?

      January 31, 2018 at 9:58 pm

        Jacqueline Harvey

         

        Hi Tamara,

        The TV series will be based on the Alice-Miranda series- but I am hoping to be able to give more detail in the next few months. We are all having to be very patient, aren’t we?

        Best wishes,

        Jacqueline

        February 22, 2018 at 11:22 am

khadija

 

i cant read in english language therefore i want to please how i recommend you how if you can write in persian or dari then this be good and i like your books just my problem was how in 3. book have a lot of page for a horse and i dont like this and im be tired for this but i like when the girls and boys work together i like your books im 14 years old you will come to afghanistan sometime ?
you are muslim?

thanks Khadija from kabul

January 17, 2018 at 8:18 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Hello Khadija,

    I think you are the first person I have heard from in Afghanistan. I would love if my books were translated into Persian or Dari but I don’t know if that will happen. I’m glad that you like the girls and boys working together and I’m sorry you weren’t as happy about the horses. There are lots more of my Alice-Miranda stories without horses in them.

    Best wishes,
    Jacqueline

    January 23, 2018 at 8:58 am

Hattie

 

That’s really cool looks like you hade fun Jacqueline

February 2, 2018 at 1:18 pm

    Jacqueline Harvey

     

    Thanks Hattie!

    It was amazing- such fabulous kids and dedicated teachers- I was thrilled to be involved!

    Best wishes,

    Jacqueline

    February 22, 2018 at 11:43 am

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