Every now and again someone thinks of something fabulous, original, clever or fun. Tania McCartney’s Riley The Little Aviator series is all of these things. If you are unfamiliar with this wonderful little series of picture books where have you been?
Maybe, like Riley, you have been travelling around the world and Australia discovering the wonders and making friends.
The best way to learn – it is said – is when you are having fun. Tania McCartney has made discovering Canberra a very fun journey. Little readers will enjoy looking for the cheeky and rather hyper Kangaroo through all the Canberra landmarks with Riley and his special little friends. How can they possibly find this bouncy roo?
Beautifully illustrated by Kieron Pratt. Another great book in this highly recommended series. A buggy favourite!
To check out our other Reviews on the Riley the Little Aviator series follow these links:
Riley and the Grumpy Wombat – A journey around Melbourne.
Riley and the Curious Koala – A journey around Sydney.
Also available:
A huge warm welcome to Tania McCartney and her Little Aviator crew who are visiting us here at Bug in a Book today. [APPLAUSE] The kettle is on and the chocky biscuits are out. Enjoy!
Guest Post: Roo’s Top 5 Canberra Stops
It’s Canberra’s 100th birthday, and celebrations abound across the ACT region. What better year than 2013 to have my little Riley character go on a tour of our nation’s capital?
In Riley and the Jumpy Kangaroo, Riley the Little Aviator and his friends search for a very frantic kangaroo. Along the way, the roo visits an impressive line-up of sites and sights that feature strongly in Canberra’s landscape.
As I’m currently living in Canberra and get to visit these sites and sights often, I thought I’d share with you the places Roo ended up loving the most (other than her suite at the Hyatt, of course—she is a rather luxury-loving roo) during her stay in town. Book production only took a week, but she squeezed in a lot of fun.
Fasten your seatbelt!
Lake Burley Griffin
Roo has an uncanny ability to cross water by spinning the end of her ail in a rotary-like manner. Panda and Lion, in particular, were quite stunned at this talent (both have virtually non-existent tails, which are no good for spinning).
Roo loved the Lake because there is absolutely not a single car in sight. I love the Lake because it’s a peaceful place to sun oneself, go walking, rollerblading, biking and generally ogling and soaking in the beautiful views.
The National Museum
This amazing museum was a favourite of Roo’s because she was all over the gift shop—there were stuffed toy kangaroos everywhere! The rest of the Riley crew also loved it; they had a ball using the entryway rampart for some skateboarding action.
I love the museum because of its focus on social history—the way it explores the land, the people and the nation that is Australia. Their focus is on Indigenous histories and cultures, histories of European settlement and our interaction with the environment.
The National Portrait Gallery
This beautiful gallery fascinated Roo—both for the art but also for the enormous rooms and hallways that are perfection for car-free bounding.
I love the gallery for its incredible architecture and—of course—its breath-taking collection of art. The gallery’s aim is to increase the understanding and appreciation of Australian people—their identity, history, culture, creativity and diversity … all through portraiture.
Black Mountain Tower
For the best views in Canberra, you can’t beat Telstra Tower on top of Black Mountain. My family and I simply adore having a coffee in the Panorama café and taking in the region, from the Brindabella mountains in the south to Mount Ainslie in the north.
But while in Canberra, Roo wasn’t interested in the views. She instead made it a personal challenge to leap over the Tower. Some said it couldn’t be done. Did she do it? Hmm. Could you clear a 190 metre tower? Maybe if you were an extremely jumpy roo … You’ll just have read the book and see.
Manuka Cafés
I have to admit, Roo and I got on very well during her stay in Canberra. One of the reasons was because we both adore good coffee. There are lots of fabulous places for coffee in the capital but Manuka is a favourite. The suburb is one of Canberra’s oldest; it’s shops were first built in the early 1920s. Best café for coffee? All of them!
I just wish coffee would do to me what it does to Roo. You won’t believe where this strong cappuccino sends her. Again, you’ll have to see what happens when you read the book …
Book Launch
The Jumpy Roo book launch is being held at Floriade this year! Anyone living in or visiting Canberra on 15 September is invited along, but RSVPs are essential if you want a goodie bag and balloon! You can find out more here.
You can also visit the Riley the Little Aviator website (www.rileyaviator.com) to see updates, learn more about the places Riley visits, and see behind-the-scenes work. There’s also some Fun Activities for kids.
Learn more about Tania’s books at her website – www.taniamccartney.com.
Blog Tour Schedule
Bound along with Roo on a Very Jumpy Tour! Monday 29 July to Thursday 1 August at the following destinations: (You can check out all these visit stops now! – Bug)
MONDAY 29 JULY
Full Blog Tour Schedule
Tania McCartney’s Blog
Kids Book Review
Interview and Review
Boomerang Books Blog
Review
ReadPlus
www.readplus.com.au/blog_detail.php?id=3633
Review
Children’s Books Daily
TUESDAY 30 JULY
Instagram Book Giveaway
Posie Shoots
Review and Five Picture Book Writing Tips
DeeScribe
deescribewriting.wordpress.com
Review
ReadPlus
www.readplus.com.au/blog_detail.php?id=3666
Book Giveaway
HerCanberra
WEDNESDAY 31 JULY
Book Review
My Little Bookcase
Guest Post – Behind the Scenes
Sheryl Gwyther’s Blog
Review and Author Interview
Pass It On
jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/school-magazine
Review
Guest Post –
Elaine Ouston Blog – On Writing
THURSDAY 1 AUGUST
Review
BuzzWords
Review
Guest Post – Roo’s Top 5 Canberra Stops
Bug in a Book
Author Interview
Soup Blog
Sneak Peek
Tania McCartney’s Blog
I am sure you will love Riley the Little Aviators latest adventure as much as we do so don’t be shy, go check it out! …..That Kangaroo just ate all our biscuits… Hide your biscuits when you find her.
Bug
Makes me want to revisit and try those luscious looking cafes. Thanks Ang and Tania!