Nim's Island

Nim's Island by Wendy Orr Content Rating and Review | The Literate Mother

2011-12-08T23:06:00.000-08:00

Nim's Island by Wendy Orr Content Rating and Review | The Literate Mother

How to Be Like Nim from Nim's Island - wikiHow

2011-09-26T00:13:00.000-07:00

How to Be Like Nim from Nim's Island - wikiHow

Some good advice here from wikiHow!

Wear comfortable clothes. As long as your comfy and able to move around, you don't need anything else for clothes.

(I like that: And though the article comments on her being pretty, I'm glad it wasn't part of the advice. I don't think Nim fusses much at all about her looks.)

Have a telescope. If you don't have one, or can't get one, then it's ok.

Climb trees to get a better look at things. If you're afraid of heights, then be a bit sneaky too.

Don't be afraid to go outside bare-foot. The world is open to you, and if you get a thorn in your foot, don't panic, it's just a thorn.

Be daring. If you're told to go to do something, don't get scared and say,"NO!" Try it, if it's too hard, then you can stop.

Let your back/front yard be your island. Take care of it and nurture it.

Don't be what others want you to be. Be yourself.

Great Nim's Island projects

2011-09-11T01:17:00.000-07:00

Munchkins: Nim's Island

Great project with wonderful letters and drawings:

.... We also imagined that we were Nim's Dad, who is shipwrecked, and wrote a letter from him to her.

to see the whole project and more drawings, go to http://mhpmunchkins.blogspot.com/2011/09/nims-island

Princess and Her Panther Review

2011-08-22T20:14:00.000-07:00

Monday Children’s Book Reviews for November 22 | Union City Library Blog

Just spotted, this nice little review:

The Princess and Her Panther by Wendy Orr

“Imagination is at the heart of this book as two sisters set out to camp in their backyard. Their red tent becomes a royal shelter, the wading pool a lake, and the sandbox is the desert they toil across. The princess is stalwart, but her little sister, the panther, is unnerved when night falls. After one too many scares by neighborhood animals, the girls do not predictably retreat into the safety of the house but, instead, stand up to the night and are brave—both of them. The final spread shows that all is well in the tent, with a bright moon shining and the sisters contentedly asleep.”

Nims Island set build timelapse on Vimeo

2011-08-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

Nims Island set build timelapse on Vimeo

I'm going to stick to writing books. Creating Nim's island and home in words was much easier than this! But fascinating to see this timelapse of the set being built.

Nim's Island Animal Jukebox

2011-08-20T00:44:00.000-07:00

Nim's Island Animal Jukebox

This is quite fun - you can play or record a piece of music using different sounds from animals from Nim's Island.

(And I'm ignoring the fact that the caption writer didn't know that Nim is a girl.)

Star Readers Review Nim's Island

2011-08-16T22:47:00.000-07:00

Star Readers from Glenmore Park Public School - Local News - News - General - Penrith Star:

I love reading what kids have to say about my books. Here's a very well written review from Georgia in Yr 6:

"Nim’s Island is a fresh change from the usual children stories.

After her mother dies, Nim and her Father Jack sail around the world twice and discover a small deserted island. They make their home under a dormant volcano and Nim’s best friends on the island are a seal lion name Selkie, a marine iguana called Fred and a turtle named Chica."

She ends the very informative review with words to make any author smile:

"From the moment I picked it up I didn’t want to put it down. Anyone from 10 to 100 with a sense of adventure would love this book. I highly recommend it.
10/10 from me. Keep an eye out for NIM AY SEA if you loved this story"

For the whole review: ar Readers from Glenmore Park Public School - Local News - News - General - Penrith Star:

Nim's Island Quiz from PeopleQiz

2011-07-14T18:17:00.001-07:00

Tristan Bancks | Australian Children's Author | Children's Books: Wendy Orr, Children's Author: The Writer's Studio

2011-06-24T22:08:00.000-07:00

Tristan Bancks | Australian Children's Author | Children's Books: Wendy Orr, Children's Author: The Writer's Studio

I'm in awe of Tristan's blog and thrilled to be on it! Keep an eye open for his next interview (and more importantly, his next book.)

Wendy Orr is a fascinating character. She lived in many parts of the world as a child and survived a life-changing accident as an adult. She writes books about 'the resilience of the human spirit; finding the courage we need to face adversity'. Wendy is the legendary author of Nim's Island, turned into a feature film starring Jodie Foster, and the new book Raven's Mountain. Here, Wendy invites us into her writing space, giving an intimate portrait of her writing environment and process.

Where did you write your latest book?
Mostly at this desk, but also at my parents’ house on an island near Vancouver, hotel rooms in New York and Boston and waiting at the hairdressers.
How important to you is the space that you write in?
Having my office the way I want it is important to me – but the actual writing I can do anywhere, as long as it’s quiet and I can sit in some comfort.

Wendy Orr's Writing Space

Do you transform your space in any way for each book?
I put pictures and small objects etc. up on my windowsill and the desk, maps and larger pictures on the door and collect photos for a screensaver. So for Raven’s Mountain, I had pictures of mountains, waterfalls, bears etc.
Do you 'get into character' at all?
Mostly in an inner way, going inside myself to find what the character is feeling, but I also work out some things physically – like actually climbing in the kitchen window. It’s surprisingly awkward to get in and out of the sink!

Wendy Orr's memorabilia from life as a children's author.

How has the place that you write evolved or changed since you first began writing novels?
This is our fourth home since I started writing – so I started on an old laminex table that the previous owners of our farm had left behind, on a built-in verandah. Our next farmhouse had a strange, skinny office, where I had an IKEA desk and faced a brick wall, which I completely covered with pictures to set the scene for each book. So when we built this house, I put a lot of care into designing the office. And as I’ve now been writing for over 20 years, the office is now crammed with book and film souvenirs, awards, book covers etc – all things that make me happy.

Do you keep regular writing hours? What are they? If not, when do you write?
I read my emails before breakfast and answer the urgent overseas ones immediately, so I can catch people before they leave work for the day. Then I walk the dog and start work after that – I’ve got into the habit of checking twitter and facebook as well as emails before I actually start writing, but try to then switch those all off while I’m working. I try to make sure I stand up and stretch (or hang up washing etc) every half hour, and then walk the dog again around 4:00, then work through till about 6:00. In theory that’s when I do emails, but often I continue writing. On the weekends I try to catch up on emails and readers’ letters.

For more on Wendy, check out the her FAQ with lots of readers' questions at www.wendyorr.com or swing by Wendy's blog http://wendyorrjournal.blogspot.com. Another author in The Writer's Studio next Wednesday.

Nims Island Games | eHow.com

2011-06-18T18:47:00.000-07:00

Nims Island Games | eHow.com

I particularly like the scavenger hunt idea for games to play from Nim's Island!

Nim's Island book group questions

2011-02-14T19:23:00.001-08:00

Nim's Island book group questions

This post is for Megan from Singapore, who wrote to me last week about doing Nim's Island in her book club. My email to her has bounced back, so just in case she checks here:

Thanks very much for our letter. I'm very glad you enjoyed Nim's Island, and that you're enjoying your book club! And since it's Valentine's Day in the northern hemisphere, I've added a Nim's Island Valentine's Day card.

Why did you write the book Nim's Island?

Nim’s Island was inspired partly by two letters from girls asking me to write a book about them. I said that I couldn’t do that, but I started playing the writer’s game of “What if?” (two very important words in finding stories). “What if a girl wrote to an author and said “Could you please write a book about me?” and the author said, “No, because I’m a very famous writer who writes very exciting books, and since you’re just a little girl your life would be much too boring.” But what if the girl’s life was more exciting than the author’s?

I then decided that the girl’s life was more exciting because she lived on an island, and write the book all in letters between the girl and the author – which was very boring. Finally I remembered a story I’d written when I was 9, about a little girl running away from an orphanage to life alone on an island – and finally Nim’s Island came to life.

So the inspiration was partly those letters, but the deeper inspiration was seeing a tiny little island when I was 9 and thinking that I’d like to live on it, because that’s why I wrote that first story.

What inspires you for your writing?

I just love stories, and sometimes I see something, hear something, or just think of something that makes me start thinking - I wonder what else might happen, or what if something was just a little bit different....

Where did you get your Ideas?

From everything I see, hear, do and think!

I live in Singapore but do you think that I can get my Ideas the same way you do?

Of course. Where we live doesn't make any difference to how we get the ideas; we'll just see different things to start us thinking. (And even when two people see exactly the same thing, it will probably give them both slightly different ideas.)

Why did you make the story the way you did?

That's how it seemed logical to me. I always try a few ways in my head before I start writing to figure out the best way to tell the story; often I have to completely rewrite it because the first way I thought doesn't work after all. Eventually I find the way that I think the story needs to be.

Do you have any connections to this story?

Do you mean is it true at all? Not really; the connection to me is that I love islands, and stories...

In the ending of the book Nim's Island, does Alexandra Rover move to Nim's Island?

Yes.

Do Alexandra and Jack get married,

I think so.

or does Nim find the whale that her mom got eaten/trapped in and find her?

No; her mom really is dead and can't come back, so finding the whale wouldn't really solve anything.

Did you ever think about any of the questions that I just asked about the book?

Some of them but not all! They were good questions.

Liberty Hill House: Nim's Island Unit - Chapters 7&8

2010-12-03T18:05:00.000-08:00

Some more Nim's Island study suggestions - these home schooling moms are awesome!

Using these notes with kids who've watched the movie, it could also be useful to look at the difference between Galileo in the book and the movie. Find out the differences between frigate birds and pelicans, and discuss why the movie had to change it.

(Answer: Because pelicans are trainable - and Sea World, which supplied the animals for the movie, had three well trained birds who shared the role of Galileo - especially Lea, who was not only well trained, but had an engaging personality. This is her, with a toy in her beak, on the Red Carpet with Jodie Foster)

Liberty Hill House: Nim's Island Unit - Chapters 7&8

Book Review: Nim's Island by Wendy Orr - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com

2010-11-08T23:27:00.000-08:00

Book Review: Nim's Island by Wendy Orr - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com

What a lovely and thoughtful review by Shannan Siegwart Small!

On a solitary island far removed from modern society lives a man and his daughter... thus begins the tale of Nim's Island the exciting and ironic novel written by Canadian-born Australian author Wendy Orr. The tale that
Orr weaves describes a life more exhilarative than any we could imagine in our gas-guzzling, bottom-line driven lives. Nim lives a simple life with her father Jack - studying the flora and fauna of the island, scheduling and conducting scientific experiments that are detrimental to their lifestyle, growing crops to feed them, weaving blankets to warm them, building a hut or stocking a cave to shelter them. Nim can handle most any task thrown at her - so when Jack leaves the island for a few days' excursion to study plankton, he is assured that she will be responsible and sound on her own. The journey for Jack takes longer than estimated and Nim is forced to fend for herself - with a marine iguana named Fred and a sea lion named Selkie. Most ironically, while Nim is facing the loneliest days she has ever known - being just a child herself - she befriends an author miles away in the city via email. Alex Rover, an adventure writer, lives out her days alone in her apartment and finds Nim's life a welcome distraction. When push comes to shove, Alex must come to Nim's rescue - across the miles - to become the hero she dreams of.

This book was a wonderful read and even more exciting than the movie. The details of the scientific experiments and the idea that the modern devices like email and cameras and satellite could be usable even in a self-sustaining setup like this is wonderful. Nim is a delightful character with spunk and imagination. Orr tells a beautiful tale of family and adventure in this story. I, for one, can't wait to read Nim at Sea to see what happens next!

Tuesday, July 13 at 6:30 pm: Wendy Orr and Lauren Stringer | Wild Rumpus

2010-06-27T02:17:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, July 13 at 6:30 pm: Wendy Orr and Lauren Stringer | Wild Rumpus
A lovely invitation to the Princesss & Panther party at the Wild Rumpus bookstore in Minneapolis

Wendy Orr and Lauren Stringer...this pair tops our list of dynamic author/illustrator duos. You probably know Wendy Orr from her amazing book Nim's Island, or her many other delightful reads. And Lauren Stringer's pictures seem to have some magical powers, because they've been enchanting us for years. There are a lot of pictures of animals on thoeir site - looks like my kind of bookstore!

“Lights Out!” (Wendy Orr) � Soup Blog

2010-06-24T21:03:00.000-07:00

I just had a lot of fun answering the Alphabet Soup magazine's questions about reading after "Lights out!"

“Lights Out!” (Wendy Orr) � Soup Blog

Behind the scenes on the movie

2010-06-09T23:22:00.000-07:00

A great article on the making of Nim's Island, drawn from interviews with the producer Paula Mazur, Jodie Foster, Abigail Breslin, Gerard Butler, and directors Mark Levin & Jennifer Flackett.

Howstuffworks "Inside "Nim's Island""

Nim's Island Unit Study, Lesson Plans, and Activities

2010-02-18T01:24:00.000-08:00

Thanks very much to wolftyrs, a home schooling mom, who's compiled this great list of Nim's Island Unit Study, Lesson Plans and Activities. I'm always meaning to do this and get sidetracked by writing books!

Nim's Island Unit Study, Lesson Plans, and Activities

Pumpkin Patch: F.F.W.W.: Nim's Island Again

2010-02-14T02:06:00.000-08:00

Tidying up my inbox I came across a link to this home-schooling blog on Nim's Island activities:

..." on top of watching our Prof H videos that go with the Nim classes we'll be:

Open a coconut (with a hammer instead of Jack's Machette), and after eating the meat use the shell for a bowl
Scour the seaside for shells, and check for messages in a bottle (you might have to read the book to understand that one!) -- I may put a message in a bottle in their workboxes
Record the coming and going of the tide
Check their weather stations daily...

To read the rest go to:
(and by the way, I have no idea what the Prof H videos are)

Pumpkin Patch: F.F.W.W.: Nim's Island Again

2010-02-04T23:15:00.001-08:00

This always makes me smile - love the song, and of course it always takes me straight back to sitting in that beautiful Graumanns Hollywood Chinese Theater and seeing my name roll out from the big blue wave in the credits. I'd already seen it at the Sea World cinema in Australia, but I was so overwhelmed with seeing the movie for the first time that I barely took it in!

Nim's Island: Title Sequence from Isaac Woodby on Vimeo.

SUMMER FUN: Teaching kids to tell stories - Education - News | Mornington Peninsula Leader

2010-01-14T23:34:00.000-08:00

If you've got kids aged 8 to 11 who are interested in writing (and you live somewhere around the Mornington Peninsula), I'll be giving a writing workshop:

CHILDREN are invited to brush up on their drawing and story writing skills at creative summer activities in Rosebud.

The Southern Peninsula Arts Centre and Mornington Peninsula Library have joined to present four workshops for children and teens.

Workshops start on January 21 with children’s book illustrator Myke Mollard.

In this practical workshop, children will get a closer look at Myke’s style, colour and life and draw their own pictures.

Myke’s workshop starts at Southern Peninsula Arts Centre (SPAC) at Rosebud Secondary College, Eastbourne Rd, at 10am.

...

Author Wendy Orr will be at SPAC working with children aged 8-11 on January 22 at 10am. The author of Nim’s Island will help children with turning ideas into stories.
To read the rest of the article

SUMMER FUN: Teaching kids to tell stories - Education - News | Mornington Peninsula Leader

Nim's Island Pictures - Nim's Island Stills. Movie Set Photos. Movie Posters. Red Carpet Photos

2010-01-01T21:14:00.000-08:00

Nim's Island Pictures - Nim's Island Stills. Movie Set Photos. Movie Posters. Red Carpet Photos

A gallery of Nim's Island pictures - mostly movie stills & posters, but also quite a few red carpet shots and even a few book covers...

Blog, She Wrote: Nim's Island Salt Dough Maps

2009-08-04T00:24:00.000-07:00

Some great pictures of a home school program making salt dough maps of Nim's Island! Funnily enough, I made a salt dough mountain recently for the book I'm working on now (Raven's Peak) even though I didn't do it for Nim.

Blog, She Wrote: Nim's Island Salt Dough Maps

movieswithbiology: Nim's Island

2009-06-28T00:33:00.000-07:00

I'm always interested in hearing about ways that people are incorporating Nim's Island into school work (whether it's from the book or the movie.) eg:

I love Nim's Island, there are 2 parts that I think would be quick and easy to integrate into lecture.

Bioluminescence - scene with Jack/Dad discovering Protozoa nim
Protists - view into microscope talk of nanoprotists, even mentions the amount of protists/L of water.

movieswithbiology: Nim's Island

Reading Challenge!

2009-03-21T23:25:00.001-07:00

"The All-Delta Reading Link Challenge was held at George Mackie Library on Thursday, March 12.

Squaring off for the right to represent Delta in the Fraser Valley Regional Library's (FVRL) Grand Challenge were Heath Elementary's Majestic Bookworms, South Park’s Book Demons and Delta Manor’s Purple-spotted Ducks.

The winner of the competition was South Park’s Book Demons.

This year’s selection of books included Looking for Bapu by Anjali Banerjee, Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville, Escaping the Giant Wave by Peg Kehret, Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan, Nim’s Island by Wendy Orr, and Run by Eric Walters."

Congratulations to all these fabulous readers!

to read the rest of the article:
Surrey Leader - Book Demons win Delta reading challenge:

Brenton's interview

2009-03-18T17:08:00.000-07:00

Brenton Cullen, a young writer, has sent me his interview to post. Great job, Brenton!

Nim’s Island: not the film, but the book!

By Brenton Cullen

The award-winning family film, Nim’s Island (2008), has dazzled and wowed audiences. But the person probably most wowed by the film, is Australian author, Wendy Orr. She is the woman who wrote the original book, Nim’s Island (Allen and Unwin, 1999), of which the film was based on.
On a Wednesday evening, I phoned Wendy Orr and we had a nice discussion about her, her writing, and the success of Nim’s Island. Wendy has a lovely voice, and with a Canadian accent, her words are perfectly clear and easy to understand.
Wendy’s love of reading came from her parents, who read her books constantly in her early childhood years. She has always had a passion for writing books, and she credits this to all the stories she has read. She enjoys writing immensely, and likes it because she says that reading stories helped, but she wanted to find out the ending and whether or not it was going to be quite suspenseful. So she started writing , just so she could write these stories and be able to find out the endings herself because she would be writing them.
When asked if she thinks her career has picked since the success of Nim’s Island, she answers that she thinks Nim’s Island, the book, has sold more copies, with a reprint available 2008 with the cover of the film on the front. But her 1990’s Young Adult book, Peeling the Onion, based on a true event that occurred in her life, has sold the most copies in Australia.
The stars of the Nim’s Island film, Jodie Foster and Abigail Breslin, were delighted to have been working on the film. Wendy says that Jodie Foster’s son had not particularly liked reading until he picked up a cop of Nim’s Island to read for a summer reading course. This was before the film of Nim’s Island had been considered. Wendy says that this was Jodie Foster’s son’s breakaway to reading, and she feels that this is very special.
Wendy thinks that Abigail Breslin had read the book while filming Nim’s Island.
I asked Wendy if the characters in the book Nim’s Island were parts of her or inspired by real people in her life. She says Alex Rover, the reclusive adventure author, does have parts of Wendy herself in her, but exaggerated a bit. Wendy says that she does indeed work in the same way as Alex, getting research from the Internet and atlases and encyclopaedias. But she does not think she has ever had an email from a 11 year old girl deserted on an island!
Wendy had a bit of involvement in the film of Nim’s Island. She is happy to report that she was a consultant on the screenplay of the film, and also helped with the work on the first two drafts of the film’s screenplay. She did this work with the producer and original screenwriter of the film, Paula Mazur.
A typical writing day for Wendy Orr is flicking on her computer and answering all her emails, at around 8 am. At 10 am, she starts to do the proper writing of her upcoming books (a series of stories set in an animal shelter, and another adventure novel for preteens, currently titled Raven’s Peak ).Halfway through the day she’ll stop for some lunch, and then take her dog for a walk. Then back to the computer until 6 pm, until she stops for a bit longer to have some exercise and walk the dog again. Wendy is also very lucky to say that her book, Paradise Palace, for children, is being turned into a television series, and also her adult novel, The House at Evelyn’s Pond, is being pitched for a film as well. And Nim At Sea, the 2007 sequel to Nim’s Island is currently being discussed about also being turned into a film.
As for a third story about our beloved Nim Rusoe, Wendy says she has part of a story idea in her head, but is busy with other projects, so she may write another book, but not for a little while. ‘But I am still working on an idea,’; she says.
Pure magic.

Written by Brenton Cullen © 2009

Nim's Island really does make you feel good!

2009-02-21T02:36:00.000-08:00

Apparently watching Nim's Island will make you more likely to be helpful to a stranger!

Miller-McCune | Article | Depicted Violence Desensitives Viewers to Real Violence

Hundreds flock to sunset screening - Star News Group

2009-02-05T02:38:00.000-08:00

How nice to see that so many people celebrated Australia Day by watching Nim's Island!

HUNDREDS of people watched the sun set on Australia Day at the 6th Tooradin Sunset Cinema.

Branch co-ordinator of the Balla Balla Lions Club Peter Martin said more than 400 people brought their chairs and rugs to watch the movie ‘Nim’s Island’.

“It was a great night. There was a good crowd there throughout the night.”

Hundreds flock to sunset screening - Star News Group

Nim at Sea for Germany

2009-02-02T15:16:00.001-08:00

I'm delighted to announce that Nim at Sea will also be coming out in Germany.

Nim's Island socks!

2009-01-26T00:41:00.000-08:00

I just spotted these very fun socks that someone's been knitting - and I love that she named them for Nim!

Wierd Science_Healthy Eating_health Advice at oxadox.com

Movieguide Best Family Film Award

2009-01-25T00:25:00.000-08:00

What a thrill to hear that Nim's Island has been nominated for the "Best Movie for Family Audiences" at the upcoming MOVIEGUIDE Awards on February 11th!

I see that Nemo won it a few years ago, so we're in good company – I've got fingers crossed, though whatever happens, it's always very nice to simply be recognized with a nomination.

Facebook | Your Photos - Nim at Sea covers

2009-01-04T17:59:00.000-08:00

Facebook | Your Photos - Nim at Sea covers

Here are the first editions of Nim at Sea: Australia; USA, Poland, UK, and the Catalan language edition from Spain. I'll add the rest as the books arrive.

Facebook | Your Photos - Nim's Island Covers

2009-01-04T16:26:00.000-08:00

Here are all the Nim's Island covers to date - or at least to date as far as the ones I've received: there are still quite a few to come, and I'm not sure whether they haven't been published yet, or if the publishers just haven't sent out the author copies yet.

Facebook | Your Photos - Nim's Island Covers

I was hoping I could insert the whole display here, but I don't seem to be able to.

Chattanooga Times Free Press | Reel picks & pans

2009-01-01T15:41:00.000-08:00

always nice to read things like this...

"BEST FAMILY MOVIE

Holly: “Nim’s Island” — Little Miss Sunshine’s still got spunk. In her trifecta of movies this year (“Definitely, Maybe,” “Nim’s Island” and “Kit Kittredge”), Abigail Breslin pulled out her strongest performance as Nim, in this imaginative family adventure movie."

Chattanooga Times Free Press | Reel picks & pans:

GuelphMercury.com - arts - Kids' stuff

2008-12-31T23:13:00.000-08:00

Or this one: Free Flicks Nim's Island, 1:30 p.m.; free; Kitchener Public Library, 85 Queen St. N., Kitchener;

And since it's in a library, it might even encourage kids to read the book as well!

519-743-0271."GuelphMercury.com - arts - Kids' stuff: "Sunday, Jan. 4

Nim's Moonlight Cinema

2008-12-31T18:57:00.000-08:00

I love hearing about events like this:

Families can celebrate at Maryborough's Portside and Seafront Oval in Hervey Bay.

Moonlight movie Nim's Island, rated PG, will light up both towns along with rides, food stalls and early fireworks.

How and where you can ring in new year | Family Fun | Fraser Coast Chronicle

Nim's Island in Turkey

2008-12-08T22:59:00.000-08:00

The Turkish edition of Nim's Island has just arrived - I always love seeing the new cover and have fun trying to work out the words in the title and first sentence of a new-to-me language. Every edition is slightly different - it's not just the language and cover,it's whether it's hard or soft cover, the size of the book, the font, and even the paper.

And sometimes they include an author photo; the Turkish edition has a nice touch, with a picture of Kerry Millard, the illustrator, as well.

But there was one just one little surprise... I've apparently had a radical make-over, and look surprisingly like Paula Mazur, the film producer. I guess it's one of those things that happens with good friends - over time, you tend to merge...

missing messages

2008-12-06T18:57:00.000-08:00

I've just discovered that most of my emails have been blocked from November 23 till today. (I wondered why I was getting so few!) So, if you've emailed me, or posted a comment here that hasn't been accepted, please try again. I try to answer all my emails within a week, so if I've ignored you, there's a good chance it's because I didn't get your message.

Green Family Movie Night | Peachy Green

2008-11-29T21:59:00.000-08:00

I love seeing how innovative some parents are. This family used the Nim's Island dvd to have a 'green family movie night.'

"My girls are more than enthusiastic when it comes to caring for our planet. They actively recycle, (my oldest watches over everyone to be sure they are doing what they should) and they get excited when they spot solar panels on traffic signs or charging the small info stations at the local zoo.

The movie Nim’s Island brought similar excitement home to our family room. We purchased the DVD for the promise of funny animals and adventure and discovered it to be a perfect film for a green family movie night!

Never hosted a green family movie night? Neither had I until this movie came along! Family nights are important for so many reasons. Basing your family night activities around caring for the planet adds a whole new layer to the fun and has many possibilities regardless of your children’s age.

My daughter screamed at the TV when she spotted wind turbines and solar panels in the movie Nim’s Island. Yeah, we get just a little excited over these things at out our house, but the movie brought up a lot of questions for my young daughter. We were amazed when 11-year-old Nim repaired their solar panels after a storm and how Nim’s dad used a wind turbine on his boat to power up his laptop! It’s a great way for kids to see solar power and wind energy in use and all around great entertainment!"

to read more:
Green Family Movie Night | Peachy Green

a dad's review

2008-11-18T14:48:00.000-08:00

My google alert picked up this review, at the end of a market report on precious metals. Hey, Nim's precious to me, so it makes sense!

Precious Metals and my daily observations: "Yesterday I watched a very good movie with my daughter, Nim’s Island. To me a good movie is one that can move your soul. At one scene my daughter turned to me and said “Daddy, the tear is still running down your cheek.” If you don’t cry at a scene when an 11 year old girl comes to the belief that her father was lost at sea, I believe you have to go searching for your soul. But it wasn’t just sad and it had a happy ending. It is a movie you can watch with anyone, two thumbs up!"

great picture, shame about the place

2008-09-28T01:33:00.000-07:00

I got a real kick out of seeing this very amusing mom's blog, with a 4 year old's drawing of Nim's Island - great picture, it's just unfortunate it was on a living room wall! I didn't think I better put it up on the website's reader page in case it sparked a rash of decorated walls, but couldn't resist here:

To read the blog:
Move Along, Nothing To See Here � MotherMe

Did I like the Nim's island film?

2008-09-13T01:05:00.000-07:00

I keep being asked if I liked the Nim's Island film, and so even though I thought I'd expressed my excitement about it all, I thought it was time to say:
Yes!

I loved the film. The first time I saw it I was too excited and tense about whether or not I'd like it, to even be able to follow it properly, but I still felt that I liked it, and that it worked. I've now seen it 8 times, and it was only the last time that I didn't cry when Nim did.

Are there things I would have done differently? A couple of small details - but I notice that audiences love them. The author isn't always the best person to decide on what works in a film!

And are there changes I liked? Alex's journey to the island, with the helicopter and cruise ship before the small boat,works much better on film. The book's version of her being let off off the cruise ship on her sailing dinghy, would have been quite anti-climactic.

And the one I wish I'd thought of? The zip line! It's so useful, so organic to the island - and so much something that Jack would have invented.

As readers know, in the book, we don't see Alexandra Rover talking to her hero. But it makes absolute sense to me - it's what writers do. We're the kids who never lost our imaginary friends when we grew up.

Most importantly, the total effect is what matters. To me, the plot changes seem slight, because they're logical. What I see is my story brought to life; the characters as I've imagined them, and the essence that I was searching for when I began to write this book.

Blogger Book Club, Youth Services, Roselle Public Library, Roselle, Illinois

2008-08-15T21:03:00.000-07:00

What a great idea - a book club on a blog!

Nim's Island, written by Wendy Orr, is delightful! A young girl lives on an island with her father, Jack, who is a scientist. Nim's mother disappeared many years before in the stomach of a whale, who's stomach contents she had gone to investigate (not a very appealing experiment, if you ask me). Nim and Jack live an idyllic existence on their island, their main communication with civilization being email through Jack's solar powered computer. Her friends are Fred, a marine iguana, and Silkie, a sea lion. All is well until Jack goes on an expedition to study plankton, and gets lost in a storm.

To read the rest of the review and/or join the book club discussion, go to:

Blogger Book Club, Youth Services, Roselle Public Library, Roselle, Illinois

creating a picture book

2008-08-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

Lauren Stringer is the wonderful artist who is illustrating a new picture book that I wrote. I've loved her books since I first saw them, so it was a big thrill to be able to meet her in Minneapolis earlier this year, especially as we instantly felt that we'd been friends for years - what a shame we live so far apart!

Now I feel like it's a sneaky little thrill to peek in and see what she's doing on the book:

Studio-working on now

Nim's Island Behind the Scenes

2008-08-07T23:21:00.000-07:00

I'm guessing that this incredibly detailed description of the making of Nim's Island, comes from the special features on the dvd. It's got quotes from interviews with Paula Mazur, Jodie Foster, Abigail Breslin, Gerard Butler, Jennifer Flackett, Mark Levin, Katie Brock (animal trainer) Stuart Drysburgh, Barry Robson, and me. Don't think I left anyone out?

Nim's Island Trailer - Nim's Island Movie - Jodie Foster - Abigail Breslin

NIm's island Environmental Challenge Winner

2008-08-03T02:43:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Reed Elementary's 5th Grade, in Lexington NC for winning the Nim's Island Environmental Challenge.

I'm sorry I hadn't seen this report until today, especially as their project of planting native plants to attract native wildlife is something I feel very strongly about!

Read the full report at:
Walden Media | 2008 Press Releases | Walden Media

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast � Blog Archive � EarlyEmergingBeginningInterChapterMediateReaders

2008-07-26T18:51:00.000-07:00

I know Nim at Sea needs its own page, but the book pages on my website should be up soon, so this will have to do for now.

Here's a review from those wonderful bloggers at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.

In these further adventures of the fearless Nim, Selkie the sea lion is kidnapped and Nim eventually stows away (but not on purpose) on the cruise ship that took her, all for the goal of rescuing her beloved sea lion and bringing her adventure-writing friend, Alex, back to the island. After finally making it to New York City, she realizes she might be on an island but not one like any she’s ever experienced before.

Orr can keep writing these exciting fantasy tales as long as she’d like; I think children will keep lining up to read them. As School Library Journal wrote about the first Nim-adventure, “children will love this unshakable, strong female character and the zany things that happen to her. They’ll also enjoy the way adults seem to bungle everything.”

To read the whole review:

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast � Blog Archive � EarlyEmergingBeginningInterChapterMediateReaders

Nim's Island Free Unit Study

2008-07-26T16:21:00.000-07:00

This is a fantastic, very thorough teaching resource, with many links for further study. Huge thanks to Laura for preparing this, and allowing me to share it with readers.

Also congratulations - this won a People's Choice Award.

Nim's Island Free Unit Study

HowStuffWorks "Inside "Nim's Island""

2008-07-26T01:35:00.000-07:00

This is a great article on the making of the movie, with interviews with Paula Mazur, Mark Levin &Jennifer Flackett, Jodie Foster, Gerard Butler & Abigail Breslin.
HowStuffWorks "Inside "Nim's Island""

Nim's Island for Girl Scouts

2008-07-25T21:14:00.000-07:00

I've just finished a webchat with some of the Girl Scouts of North East New York who've completed their Nim's Island patch, and promised them some pictures. I've had to split them into two posts:

So, here's me as a Brownie, which is when I first started writing a story about a little girl on an island:

With the producer Paula Mazur, at the studio

With Abigail Breslin & Kerry Millard, the book's illustrator

with Friday, who played Selkie

Pictures for the Girl Scouts

2008-07-25T17:55:00.000-07:00

I've put these in the wrong order, so they start with the party after the Hollywood premiere, and go back to the Australian premier! But they are:

Talking to Gerard Butler (who played Jack and the Alex Rover hero) after the premier.

With my husband Tom before the Red Carpet (actually it was blue - for the ocean!) at the Hollywood Graumann's Chinese Theatre.

My son and daughter at the start of the Red Carpet. Don't they look great!

Jodie Foster and Leah, who played Galileo, on the Australian Red Carpet.

Jodie Foster & me on the Australian Red Carpet.

Teen Choice Awards 2008

2008-06-18T15:58:00.000-07:00

Abigail Breslin has been nominated for her role in Nim's Island in the 2008 Teen Choice Awards, in the category: Choice Movie Actress: Action Adventure. Congratulations Abi!

..::~! Newlywood911 !~::.. Your # 1 Source 4 the Latest Celeb News: 2008 Teen Choice Awards Nominations!

Jodie Foster "l'ile de Nim" [promo] Cauet 10 04 08 - AOL Video

2008-05-25T22:53:00.000-07:00

Jodie Foster "l'ile de Nim" [promo] Cauet 10 04 08 - AOL Video

ne entrevue francaise avec Jodie Foster - tres drole...

coconut pearls

2008-05-21T19:13:00.000-07:00

People often ask me if coconut pearls are real. I first heard of them on this site: waynesword.palomar.edu/ww0901.htm, which I believe is associated with the botany department of Palomar College. When I was writing the book, in 1997, the article's author believed they were real; however, he now appears to have doubts.

However, Nim's Japanese translator kindly sent me this link this morning - it looks as if they are real after all! So you might want to start opening coconuts...

blogalicious!

MS Readathon 2008 - Media - Advertisements

2008-05-20T02:17:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to the ad for the MS Readathon that Jodie Foster and I recorded the day of the world premiere at Sea World. You've still got time to get reading!
MS Readathon 2008 - Media - Advertisements

Kerry's cameo

2008-05-17T17:40:00.000-07:00

Here's a nice, mostly accurate story about Kerry Millard, the illustrator of Nim's Island, and our trip up to the Gold Coast to be extras on Nim's Island.

I'd like to correct the statement that Nim's is the first Australian children's book to be turned into a feature film. There have been many good Australian feature films based on Australian children's books. Nim's Island is simply the first Hollywood feature film to be based on an Australian children's book.

The North Shore Times | North Shore Local News

Patrick Doyle records his score to Nim's Island in Los Angeles - ScoringSessions.com

2008-05-16T19:20:00.000-07:00

Patrick Doyle records his score to Nim's Island in Los Angeles - ScoringSessions.com

I'm very late linking this post, but I wanted it to be here. Anyway, it's great to look at the photos of the score being done now that I've heard the lovely music they were creating!

nim's island premier - Google Video

2008-05-08T04:03:00.000-07:00

nim's island premier - Google Video

This was fun to watch - I've been spotting my family as well as the stars.

Walden Media's Educational Guides

2008-05-04T01:23:00.000-07:00

Nim's Island Educator Guide Now Online!
Posted:
Nim's Island Educator Guide is available for download at walden.com/teachnims.
Created in partnership with NOAA's National Marine Sanctury Program and the National Wildlife Federation and adhering to National Standards in Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, Visual Arts and Character Education, this guide and poster contain lessons to introduce students to the idea of protecting the ocean the way Nim and her father do, and to understanding the idea of creatures' dependence on their habitat for survival.

Please also check out walden.com/reelthinking for information on our upcoming Animal Planet special hosted by Jeff Corwin and the Nim's Island: Our World Reel Thinking™ Environmental Challenge, through which your class could win a cash prize to implement an environmental project.

About the Book, the Movie and the Educator Guide

Walden Media has partnered with 20th Century Fox to bring Nim's Island to the big screen. The movie, starring Jodie Foster, Abigail Breslin and Gerard Butler, is directed by Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett, who also wrote the screenplay based on Wendy Orr's book.

Nim's Island tells the fictional story of an adventurous girl named Nim who lives on a remote island in the South Pacific Ocean. You might think that because Nim lives far from "civilization" she would be very lonely. But Nim is blessed with many good friends, including a bird named Galileo, a lizard named Fred, a green sea turtle named Chica and a sea lion named Selkie who looks after Nim as though Nim were one of her own pups.

As a book, Nim's Island is a fun, engaging read. As a movie, the story expands beautifully to fit the big screen, becoming as informative a look at marine life in the South Pacific as it is a story packed with intrigue and adventure. To further expand Nim's Island as a teaching resource, we have partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Sanctuary Program, tapping their educational expertise and their strong belief in stewardship of the ocean. With NOAA we have created lessons that will enhance your students' experience of the film and deepen their appreciation for the riches to be found in the ocean. Along the same lines, we have also partnered with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) for their valuable insight and knowledge of animals and the many different habitats in which they can be found. Building on our past work with NWF, we feel privileged to be working once again with an organization whose influence on children ? and the world they will one day inherit ? is profound.

Though Nim's Island is an imaginary story, its depiction of the bio-diversity and richness of marine life is very real. So is its message of protecting for future generations all of the treasures to be found on and around Nim's Island. We hope that like Nim, our film encourages students to explore, respect and appreciate our oceans and coasts.

Sunshine Fairy Readers

2008-05-03T03:46:00.000-07:00

Kay Byrnes sent me this report from the Lancaster Journal, (Pennsylvania)about her daughter's book club. Congratulations to all the girls!

Book group, junior-grade
Sunday News
Published: Feb 23, 2008
23:50 EST
Lancaster

By JO-ANN GREENE, Books Editor

Sunshine Fairy Readers Miranda Stoltzfus, Anna Byrnes, Hope Abrom, Emma Metzger, Quinn Evans, Gabriell...(more)
1 of 2
Reports of the demise of reading among the younger generation appear to be greatly exaggerated. Just ask the dozen girls, ages 8-12, who make up Sunshine Fairy Readers.

The book group has been meeting monthly since July to share favorite titles as well as sip tea, craft items such as bookmarks, and lavish affection on the hostess' pet rabbit, Copper.

Anna Byrnes, a 9-year-old who learned to read at age 41-w, said she started the book group at her East Hempfield Township home as a way to see more of her friends over the summer and to share with them a book she was writing, "Rose and Her Wild Adventures."

Soon she and her friends were talking about other books, too.

As Anna's mother, Kay Byrnes, reported, "They enjoy talking about their choices of books and, as a result, get each other 'hooked' to read the book too. No spoilers here. They are adamant about not telling the endings or too many details."

One month, all were asked to read "Nim's Island" by Wendy Orr or "Gooseberry Park" by Cynthia Rylant so they could discuss them, added Mrs. Byrnes, who has never been a member of a book group herself.

The meetings always feature a new jelly bean flavor of the month and finger sandwiches, spread with marshmallow and chocolate and cut in the shape of hearts and flowers. When Anna read about foods that "perfumed your mouth" in "Mara, Daughter of the Nile," by Eloise Jarvis McGraw, her mother prepared Egyptian rice balls for the group.

One meeting was held at The Pottery Works, where the girls made their own tea cups and saucers. April will probably find them at the movie theater, since "Nim's Island" hits the big screen then, the Byrneses noted.

Some books the girls recommend include: "Poppy," by Avi; "Emily Windsnap and the Castle in the Mist," by Liz Kessler; "Sign of the Beaver," by Elizabeth George Speare; and "The Penderwicks," by Jeanne Birdswell.
Related Topics
book page (62)

Jo-Ann Greene is editor of the Books section. Her email address is jgreene@lnpnews.com.

Nim's Island and the blue carpet

2008-04-19T22:31:00.000-07:00

What can I say about this day? Incredible, surreal, overwhelming... the culmination of five years dreaming, planning, and working. Even though I'd already seen the film twice, and had the fun of the Australian premier at Seaworld, it still hadn't seen quite real. But a whole day of a party to celebrate it... somehow I had to believe it: the movie is done, out there, and belongs to the world. By now I've had I don't know how many emails telling me how much people are enjoying it, but on March 30 it was still very new and uncertain.

It felt a bit like a wedding day; my daughter and I had our hair done, did our makeup together, managed to eat a sandwich... and then we were all (husband, son, daughter and I) picked up to arrive at Graumann's Chinese Theater by 2:00. I knew there'd be fans and people watching, knew there'd be press - but I just hadn't imagined quite how many people there'd be; how much noise, and buzz and excitement. It was just extraordinary. I hadn't expected the press would want to speak to me, but I was photographed till I was totally confused about whether I was supposed to be looking left or right, up or down - I'm sure some of the pictures show me looking like a deer in headlights! - and interviewed (that was easier; I can always talk!) It was lovely to see how interested journalists were in the story behind the story, of how I'd written the book and how Paula had found it. It took about 45 minutes to get up the carpet, and by the end I had even more admiration for the stars and how easy they make it look.

And such a wonderful cinema; I can't imagine anything more special. In fact I can't imagine anything more special than this whole day; watching with such a huge and appreciative audience, the party afterwards; seeing everyone involved and knowing that we'd done it. I can't even describe the emotion: joy, of course, and relief, but I think gratitude was the primary one; gratitude to everyone who's worked on it, to Paula Mazur for picking it up and running with it, and becoming my friend; to Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett, to Cary Granat and everyone at Walden... and to the three wonderful actors who brought my characters to life.

I have been extraordinarily lucky. I'm writing this from my parents' home on an island near Vancouver, just near the small rocky islets that inspired my island story so many years ago, and gradually coming to terms with realising that the final result of that story is now out in the world, being shared with thousands more children and families right around the world.

Australian premier at Sea World

2008-03-05T23:26:00.000-08:00

I've got to admit I'd never have thought I'd ever walk down a red carpet for a film premier. And if I had I'd never have thought it would be with Jodie Foster.

But never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined walking down a red carpet with a sea lion!

I can't wait!

Jodie's coming back for film premiere

NIM'S ISLAND: Reel Thinking

2008-03-02T17:29:00.000-08:00

This sounds like an amazing program. (I'm trying to work out how I could could get to see it!)
NIM'S ISLAND: Reel Thinking: "o Animal performances
o Profiles of children who have implemented “save the planet” programs
Post-Event / Nim’s Island: Our World - Reel Thinking challenge:"

Nim notes from a home schooling (and fun loving!) mom

2008-02-26T15:03:00.000-08:00

Thanks to MaWhit for sharing her family's fun with Nim in this great article (and thanks to LJ for telling me about it!)

Words of a Wanderer: Num num, Nim Nim.

Abby the Sea LIon rider

2008-01-29T18:33:00.000-08:00

I have to admit that when I wrote Nim's Island, even though I thought it ought to be possible to ride a sea lion, I'd never imagined a real child having to do it! But Abby did, and she thought it was great:

Breslin learns to ride sea lions @ NewKerala.Com News Channel

L'Ile De Nim - teaser en francais

2008-01-29T13:13:00.000-08:00

Voila! Le bande annonce de l'Ile de Nim, en francais.
YouTube - L'Ile De Nim

French Poster -

2008-01-27T01:00:00.000-08:00

The French film poster is gorgeous - tres, tres belle!
Have a look:

Myspace.com Blogs - French Poster - Nim MySpace Blog

Interview with Abbie – and an amazing competition!

2008-01-21T16:19:00.000-08:00

This magazine has a great interview with Abbie about starring in Nim's Island - and if you're a girl aged 7 to 14, and live in the USA, there's a competition to win a ticket to go to the premier! So, will I meet you there? Good luck.

(I can say good luck because the competition is nothing to do with me - I just happened to notice it.)

Limited Too

A natural for the part

2008-01-14T02:02:00.000-08:00

A lovely interview with Abby about the Nim's Island filming - it's great to hear her describing how much fun she had. And when I met her on set, I was just thrilled to realise how much she loved animals. It certainly showed through!

Myspace.com Blogs - A natural for the part - Nim MySpace Blog

Movie Preview: Nim's Island

2008-01-06T13:43:00.000-08:00

from BuzzSugar -- Entertainment hourly
Movie Preview: Nim's Island
I have a confession to make: Despite the involvement of Gerard Butler and Jodi Foster in this kids' adventure movie, I've been avoiding watching the trailer because I thought it might make me cringe so much my face would get stuck that way. Now, having watched the adorable trailer for Nim's Island — which also stars the ever-charming Abigail Breslin — I feel a little ashamed. And I kind of can't wait to see this movie. Foster plays Alexandra, a reclusive yet wildly successful children's book novelist whose main character, Alex Rover, is the hero to Nim (Breslin), a girl living on her magical Nim's Island with her scientist father. When he goes missing, Nim desperately needs Alexandra's (and Alex Rover's) help in conquering the mysterious island's challenges. Gerard Butler looks nice as usual, and Jodi Foster is refreshingly funny in this preview. Nim's Island opens April 4.

l_8d8297a23d81b60e6fad05dc93c35ba8.jpg (JPEG Image, 520x770 pixels) - Scaled (82%)

2007-12-21T18:41:00.000-08:00

l_8d8297a23d81b60e6fad05dc93c35ba8.jpg (JPEG Image, 520x770 pixels) - Scaled (82%)

Another Nim's Island trailer review

2007-12-20T20:09:00.000-08:00

MySpace.com Blogs - Nim MySpace Blog

Myspace.com Blogs - The trailer reviews begin..... - Nim MySpace Blog

2007-12-20T13:57:00.000-08:00

Myspace.com Blogs - The trailer reviews begin..... - Nim MySpace Blog

Orlando Sentinel - Jodie Foster like you've NEVER seen her before by Roger Moore

2007-12-20T13:32:00.000-08:00

Orlando Sentinel - Jodie Foster like you've NEVER seen her before by Roger Moore

Nim's Island trailer!

2007-12-19T18:02:00.000-08:00

Nim's Island trailers and video clips on Yahoo! Movies

This is so exciting...
But imagine my frustration yesterday when I got the link ... and my computer stubbornly refused to play it! Whatever I did, the video box stayed black and empty - I was just about ready to burst into tears.

Finally I tried on my laptop - and then the tears were happy ones.

Then I saw it on Entertainment Tonight and it was even better on the bigger screen (maybe my husband was right about finally updating our teeny little TV!)

So now it's out there, this bit of it at least, like a book in the review copy, so it's not quite part of you anymore, but the umbilical cord is still attached. I think I need a little longer to absorb it all... but for now, all I know is that I'm thrilled. It even made me laugh out loud a couple of times - and I'd seen one of those filmed!

We were SO lucky to get those actors.

Nim's island pictures by kids

2007-11-24T23:12:00.000-08:00

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2007-11-24T20:09:00.000-08:00

http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.photo.gif

2007-11-24T20:03:00.000-08:00

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Kids' views of Nim's Island

2007-11-24T17:53:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the pictures that kids or teachers have sent me lately. They're great!

Patrick Doyle to score Nim's Island

2007-11-17T03:48:00.000-08:00

Great news! The UK composer Patrick Doyle, who did (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Bridget Jones's Diary and Donnie Brasco, will be scoring Nim's Island. Doyle's most recent films include Sleuth, The Last Legion, and Have Mercy on us All.

Can't wait to hear it!

First look: All is idyllic on 'Nim's Island' - USATODAY.com

2007-11-09T02:09:00.000-08:00

First look: All is idyllic on 'Nim's Island' - USATODAY.com

Nim's My Space page

2007-11-08T14:50:00.000-08:00

MySpace.com - Nim - 21 - Female - California - www.myspace.com/nimsisland

Check this page for the latest on everything to do with the film!

Nim's Island film release dates

2007-11-02T04:20:00.001-07:00

Nim's Island film release dates
April 3 2008 for Australia
April 4 2008 USA (and Canada??)
April 4 2008 Malaysia
April 9 2008 France
April 17 2008 New Zealand
April 19 2008 Israel
May 1 2008 Singapore
May 2 2008 UK
May 8 2008 Netherlands
June 27 2008 Latvia
July 17 2008 Argentina, and Chile
July 18 2008 Brazil
25 July 2008 Mexico, and Spain

Nim's Covers

2007-09-26T22:21:00.001-07:00

From now on I'll keep this blog for updating different editions of the book or things specifically about the book, so check www.wendyorrjournal.blogspot.com for my journey through the book to movie adventure, or www.myspace.com/nimsisland for updates on the movie itself.

So some of Nim's covers to date are here, with some more on the previous post. These are: First edition (Australian); new Australian edition; Spanish; First American edition

Nim's Covers - 2

2007-09-26T21:54:00.001-07:00

Korean - (can anyone translate this title for me?)
Italian
German ("How do you hide an island?")
Basque language edition (by Spanish publisher)

Movie fosters an island dream | The Courier-Mail

2007-09-15T15:16:00.000-07:00

Movie fosters an island dream | The Courier-Mail

This is quite a long and thorough story about the writing of Nim's Island, as well as the book to film story (and a nice picture of our dog Bear as well!)

a kiss from a star

2007-09-15T01:17:00.000-07:00

Meet the actor playing Selkie... how lucky am I!

on the set of Nm's Island

2007-09-14T04:08:00.000-07:00

Kerry Millard (who illustrated the book) and I in the rainforest of Nim's Island

Win an Autographed Copy of Nim's Island

2007-09-07T03:25:00.000-07:00

The Nim's Island My Space page is running a competition to win an autographed copy of Nim's Island. It looks like fun - have a look! Or better yet, have a go!

Myspace.com Blogs:nimsisland MySpace Blog

Jodie Foster on Nim'sIsland

2007-09-02T22:00:00.000-07:00

After having such a special time when I visited the set, it's great to hear that Jodie Foster is enjoying her time in Australia too!
blog.myspace.com/nimsisland

Deadline panics

2007-09-01T03:35:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd be on top of things by the end of this week, but it hasn't quite happened - so I've just asked for another week to get my manuscript of the third Mokie and Bik in to Henry Holt (and they've kindly said okay.)

So emails - I think I owe over 100 now - and blogs will have to wait till the following week. And one of the things I'll be able to tell you about then will be the Rye school's 'What if Everyone in Rye Read the same book', which I'm opening Monday morning. (Then race home to the computer for the Ipswich Online Festival.)

So till then...

from the set of Nim's Island

2007-08-21T14:46:00.000-07:00

Reallio and trulio, we were on Nim's island...

It was unbelievable. Everyone was so nice, it was just the best atmosphere - and everyone we met was so pleased to meet the author, and so respectful of the book; quite extraordinary. I can't believe I've been so lucky to not only have the film happen, but have it with a company that values books and authors, and most of all, to have these actors. They inhabit their characters so completely, it's quite uncanny.

So watching the filming process was fascinating, meeting everyone was great, being an 'extra' extra was a lot of fun - and the whole thing was emotionally quite overwhelming. For some reason it overtook me when I met the sealions, and I just could not stop crying. But everyone understood when I sobbed, "I've just met Selkie!" And then I started again when I walked through Alex's apartment. It was the most bizarre feeling, as if it was somewhere I'd lived in the distant past.

I'm rushing to speak at Chisholm Festival today but will put up a couple of pictures and more notes soon.

Hollywood Dreaming

2007-08-06T22:48:00.000-07:00

I'll be away for the next week... yes, visiting Nim's Island, which is a slightly surreal feeling. For now I'm just focusing on meeting 'Selkie' and the other animals – and on packing for holidaying and being an extra on set. (Funny how it's not till you start packing that you realise how many clothes are suitable only for writing, or gardening.)

As readers of the book know, Nim checks her emails every day. However I'm having modem problems with my laptop and may not be able to.

Film extras

2007-08-04T16:43:00.000-07:00

This was on the Nim's Island myspace.com page: I don't know anything else about it, but it's worth passing on.
Good luck!

blog.myspace.com/nimsisland

In production...

2007-08-02T23:32:00.001-07:00

I was had to write a mini cv yesterday for the upcoming Mornington Peninsula Writers Festival; what a great feeling when I finally got to write, 'the film Nim's Island is currently in production...'