Multi-award winning author Ursula Dubosarsky and publisher Margrete Lamond will visit Armidale in late April / early May.

Ursula - an acclaimed writer of more than 90 books for children and young adults - was appointed Australian Children's Laureate earlier this month, succeeding Morris Gleitzman. She promotes the importance of reading, creativity and story in the lives of young Australians.

Margrete's Dirt Lane Press, based in Orange, introduces young readers to important social issues through quality literature.

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Their visit is hosted by the New England Writers' Centre and the New England and North West sub-branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia (NSW branch).

"We are very lucky indeed to have Ursula visiting so soon into her Laureateship," author and New England Writers' Centre chair Sophie Masson said. "She is much in demand for events around Australia!

"Margrete is a fabulous publisher; Dirt Lane Press has gained a very high reputation in a short time."

Ursula and Margrete will visit local schools from Wednesday to Friday, April 29 to May 1.

They will give a talk at Readers Companion on the evening of May 1 about writing, children's books, and publishing. The free talk starts at 5pm. No bookings required. Light refreshments provided, and books will be available to purchase and have signed!

Ursula and Margrete will also present a one-day free community workshop at NERAM on Saturday, May 2, around Ursula's beautiful book, Leaf, Stone, Beetle (which Margrete's Dirt Lane Press published).

The illustrated book tells a complex story of displacement and new beginnings through a touching and imaginative fable that speaks to both adults and children.

The all-day workshop features discussion and storytelling through metaphor. Participants will create new visual and textual narratives by participants, inspired by Leaf, Stone, Beetle, and take their own 'dummy book' away with them at the end of the workshop. The workshop is suitable for all ages from primary school-aged children to adults.