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.
Halle
Dear Jacqueline,
Is going to that many schools in that many days a record?
That is so cool Jacqueline.
Kyla
Yea! -I agree.
Jacqueline Harvey
It would have to be close to a record!
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.
Jacqueline Harvey
I promise I will try!
Kyla
Thanks!
Kyla
Your TOOOOOOO AMAZING!!!!!!
And TOOOOOOO NICE! !!!!!!
☺☺☺
Megha Aleyas
Come to PERTH!
Jacqueline Harvey
I love Perth and I am coming in March next year! Keep a look out for events – I’ll be doing a few!
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Avia
Which book has the most lucinta moments
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
Taylah
ITS A TIE BETWEN CHINA AND HOLLYWOOD.
IN MY HOLLYWOOD COPY I DOG-EARED ALL THE LUCINTA/SASHA-MILLE MOMENTS.
Hollywood probably has more,but China is more memorable.
*
Jacqueline Harvey
Thank you for your enthusiasm, Taylah:)!
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Zoe
It sounds awesome
Zoe
It sounds awesome.
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
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
Kyla
Jacqueline Harvey is the best-telling Arthur in the whole world!
Jacqueline Harvey
Thanks Kyla 🙂
Tamara b
What’s this months competition?
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!)
Kyla
I also went to the hiar-dressers and cut my hiar (kind of) like Clementine Rose’s hiar. Mum said I look like Clementine Rose!
But I still like Alice Miranda more.
Jacqueline Harvey
Sounds gorgeous!
Kyla
.
Kyla
Thanks! I just finished Clementine Rose and the birthday emergency. I ADORE the end. Isn’t Aunt Violet sweet planning all of that for her when Clementines hope’s were up.
Jacqueline Harvey
I love that story too!
Grace
Wow they are so lucky!
It must be awesome for an author to visit your school!
Grace!
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!
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!
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.
Colleen Beahan
Colleen says
Why do you try Glennie Toowoomba. Sorry if i am pushing you?
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
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!
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
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!)
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Taylah,
Ha! I must say, Caprice is deliciously evil, isn’t she :).
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Kyla
What is your favorite : Alice Miranda, Kensy and Max or Clementine Rose?
Jacqueline Harvey
I love them all the same – no favourites in my family 😉
Anabel Caristo
Hi,
What Alice-Miranda book are you writing now?
Ps:IM YOUR BIGGEST FAN
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Anabel,
I am going to reveal a little bit about the new book very soon.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Kyla and Zoe
Is there another series that you wrote called Code Name?
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 🙂
Tamara K
What is that series about?
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
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
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
Hattie
That’s really cool looks like you hade fun Jacqueline
Jacqueline Harvey
Thanks Hattie!
It was amazing- such fabulous kids and dedicated teachers- I was thrilled to be involved!
Best wishes,
Jacqueline