We held the Hobart book launch for Shout It Out on my 48th birthday. It was a super special way to celebrate both the new book and another year younger for me. The fun double party was held at The Fourth Floor yoga studio in Hobart on 30 Nov 2024.

The spacious light-filled room was a fantastic venue and only just big enough as lots of families came for the book reading and yoga (and party morning tea!). There were armchairs for those just listening (and doing the yoga in their head) and plenty of mats for kids, who ranged in age from about 4 to 14, and all the parents who joined in.

The yoga was noisy, energetic and fun and followed by a deep relaxation where you could have heard a pin drop. At the end, i brought out paper and my special 30-year-old Derwent pencil set for the kids to draw the wonderful garden they’d imagined during the visualisation. You should have seen their jaws drop when i unfolded the satchel of 72 colours all arranged in an attractive rainbow. That kept them busy for a surprisingly long time — I always find that kids are very settled and content and creative after an energetic yoga and relaxation class.

With my special homemade healthy chocolate cake, popcorn and fruit, the kids were in party heaven, all topped off with a craft activity to make their own little book to take home and a party bag at the door. Gotta love a good old-fashioned birthday / book party. : )