Wonky Donkey and the Supernatural

As they say, there's no rest for the wicked! Work has been busy busy busy but I'm enjoying it immensely and I'm not just saying that in case my manager reads this! I was just saying the other day how great it is, working in a place where people look happy as soon as they walk in the door, as opposed to my job of old when people would come in with a grimace and ask where we kept the haemorrhoid creams.
Aside from the general enjoyment of being surrounded by books, beautiful stationary and gifts, I had the excitement of being involved with two recent author events that our store ran.
Firstly, one evening we had the lovely Karina Machado come visit to talk about her book Spirit Sister's, which is a collection of real supernatural experiences had by various Australian women. It was a fascinating evening listening to Karina talk about her favourite stories and what it was like interviewing these people. It's the kind of book anyone would find fascinating.
More recently we had Kiwi Craig Smith of Wonky Donkey fame, come entertain children and grown-ups alike with his books and music. If you have a child five or under, I highly recommend his book which has a CD of the song on it. Kids seem unable to resist it! The story/song is one of those building up styles, like There was an old woman who swallowed a fly, and I kept wondering how Craig went, singing it day after day on his tour. I got a chance to ask him when he visited and he replied that he loved to see the reaction on the children's faces and indeed we had lots of kids jiggling about and clapping and laughing along. If you ever get a chance to see Craig perform somewhere, go along as he really does make it fun for everyone. His new book is called Wilbee the Bumblebee.

An Education

In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie, to his great delight is shown with the other children into the heart of the Wonka factory, that delightful garden of treats. In Natalie and the Story Factory, Natalie walks into a book version of the same thing and is equally overcome in a good way.
Working in a gorgeous shop surrounded by books is not a bad way to spend your working day!I have certainly landed on my feet, though both of them are quite sore.I forgot how hard standing up all day can be and these pins aren't getting any younger! I am getting used to it though and haven't fallen asleep in my dinner for at least four days.
Old age aside, my new job , though busy, is great fun. I am really happy to have been assigned the children's section and look forward to getting better acquainted with the 2600 books I have yet to read. What a labour of love eh?! Hence I am madly reading everything I can get my hands on to sort the chaff from the grain. At our store we can put up book reviews, so what grains I come across, I have great pleasure in writing up a little review for. I have warned my shop manager that I may plaster the place in them. But of course it's hard not to share a great read.
All in all, I have begun what I feel is a most excellent education in the art of great writing, and better still I get paid to do this course!