Join the ‘Octopus’ party tonight ( thanks Serge Smagarinsky 😂🐙) and you could win a copy of Liz Ledden and #MakatoKoji ‘s wonderful new picture book! Thanks to Hardie Grant Children's Publishing #picbookbc

A1. Representation in picture books is important for readers to understand & relate better to others and/or relate to the situations experienced by characters like themselves. Here are some examples of PBs featuring inclusive/representative stories #picbookbc

A2. I don’t think it’s possible to have over-representation but there are certainly some communities which are under-represented in PBs. Writers are encouraged to write about what they know, so we need to encourage members of those communities to share their stories. #picbookbc

A4. Here are a few picture books featuring neurodiversity #picbookbc

Are you ready to party tonight with Emma Quay ?! 🥳🎈😄 @stephmward Julie Murphy picture book author (She/her) @toltzable Kaye Baillie Children's Author raffeduteach @fablefiddler Zewlan Moor🩺🍎~ PHILIPPINES🇵🇭out in 🇺🇸!🌞🍧 @picturebkserge Kelly Doyle Louise Brooks @sharrowwrites Sarah Wallace  Marg Gibbs @stephmward #picbookbc

A1. In terms of a picture book that covers happiness, positivity and filling your cup, the first one that comes to mind is HAVE YOU FILLED A BUCKET TODAY? by Carol McCloud & David Messing #picbookbc

A1 cont. Another picture book exploring happiness is IN SEARCH OF HAPPINESS by Juliette Saumande and Eric Puybaret #picbookbc

A1 cont. Colin Thompson explores many facets of happiness in a number of his picture books, and in a more sophisticated way. Here are two examples. #picbookbc

A2. Picture books about happiness and positivity are uplifting in and of themselves. They can help put readers in a more positive frame of mind, encouraging gratitude and appreciation for what we have. #picbookbc

A1 cont. have also just come across this one which I haven’t had a chance to read yet, but looks like a must-have 😍 #picbookbc

A3. Picture books are made to be read aloud. The ear-pleasing rhythm of rhyming texts adds to the experience and particularly with happy themes, enhances the experience as if the words are jumping for joy. 🥰 #picbookbc

A4. One of my happy places is the cozy comfort of my bed, especially on the rare occasion of a cold morning when I can afford the luxury of sleeping in. Relaxed and free from distraction, it’s also where a number of ideas spontaneously manifest themselves. #picbookbc

Tonight we are partying with Debra Tidball- Lights Out, Little Dragon! out now! . You could also win a copy of her beautiful new picture book ‘Lights Put, Little Dragon!’, illustrated by Rae Tan , thanks to HarperCollins Kids Join the fun this evening at 8pm AEST. #picbookbc

A2. Common themes in bedtime picture books include the bedtime battle between child and parent; or the quieter, reassuring theme. As for common characters, the Moon often makes an appearance. #picbookbc

A3. TIME FOR BED by Mem Fox and Jane Dyer is great for calm, reassurance, and cuddles. #picbookbc

A4. Not sure about the right type of book for bedtime (maybe this one is an anti-pattern) but one that had many read throughs in my childhood was the good old The Cat In The Hat #pickbookbc