CUMULUS eREADER NOW IN STORE

With Cumulus you can read ebooks purchased from the bookshop you choose. You're not locked in to one platform as you are when you buy Kindle. You can download directly from the internet to Cumulus and use the menus and layouts to view all your books in colour. Look at our ebook website here, see what we recommend and search for that special title.

For those who need to know, these are the tech specs:
Size: 193mm x 115mm x 12.5mm
Weight: 380g
Battery Life: Up to 7 hours
Charge Time: 3 hours
Screen: 7" 16.9 capacitive, 800x480px
ebook software: ReadCloud pre-installed
Camera: 13 megapixel CMOS
System: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Memory: 512 DDR3 + 4Gb NAND flash
Processor: Telechips 8803 ARM Cortex A8 1.2 GHz
Wifi: Support 802.11b/g
Input/Output: USB 3G dongle, 1080P HDMI, TF card, mini USB
3.5mm audio jack, DC
Media: Flash 10.1, 3D games, audio
Warranty: 1 year

Price $199.00

BOOKBUSKING - FOSTER PRIMARY SCHOOL

Waiting their turn..........

On Friday December 2nd we had the best day ever with students from Foster Primary School. We set them up outside the bookshop with table and chairs, microphone and a large guitar case. From 10 am to around 2.30 pm 50 students read a small section of a favourite book. People passing stopped to listen and made very generous donations. This fund raising event may well become an annual event.

LADIES DAY AT FOSTER LADIES GOLF

101 Dalmations complete with dog bowls.

The Three Little Pigs with Wolf.

The Cats in Hats.

November 18 was a great day at the Foster Golf Course when it was invaded by characters from children's storybooks. There were a number of Cats in Hats, more Where's Wallys than I think anyone could handle (finding) Three Little Pigs plus Wolf and many more. We were very pleased to support the Foster Ladies in their annual 'housewives day', it seems like they had a record attendance.

The most entertaining aspect of the day was the arrival of Spot the Dog, who insisted on stealing the flag...................!!

BOOK BUSKING EVENT

This is Olivia and Ruby who with other students from Foster Primary School will hold a book busking event on Friday, December 2nd at Foster's Little Bookshop from 10am to 2.30pm. Come and hear the students read selections from their favourite books. These students are raising funds for the refurbishment of classrooms 3/4, so please come and suport their efforts.

NEW PRODUCT NEWS - NOTE COUTURE

We are very pleased to have this quality product in store. There is Big Note which is a lined 50 sheets writing pad, Notepad with 50 sheets and 100 boxed Note Sheets. All have interesting and elegant designs, we have 4 designs per type of pad for you to chose from. These will make excellent Christmas gifts and perhaps simply a gift for you.

RECORDABLE STORY BOOKS - HALLMARK

These recordable books are the best way for your grandchild, niece or nephew to hear your voice when they live a distance away. If you are a parent who is going away from your child for a little while and you want them to hear you reading a story everynight that you are gone, think about one of these books. They are in store now, come and hear them.

CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI - FOURTH BOOK RELEASE

Saturday November 8th is the release date for the fourth and last (?) of the Inheritance Series. Click here for information about the series and the author.

Writer's Forum

Fish Creek/Foster Quills Writing Group is holding a writer's forum in the Fish Creek Memorial Hall Supper Room.

Saturday October 29th from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm

There will be presentations by:
Alison Shields, Peter Cooke, Patrick Morgan and Ruth Carson.
$20 is the cost for the day and this includes lunch and refreshments.

Any enquiries ring Doug Knez 0408170465 or email doug.knez@gmail.com

Buy Your eBooks From Someone You Know

Foster's Little Bookshop is currently working on a project to be able to offer you a wide range of eBooks from Australia and around the world. Please sign up to our newsletter and you will be among the first to know when this platform is launched.

If you haven't already purchased an eReader note that we will be able to supply eBooks onto any device, from a Sony eReader to an iPad. Only not a Kindle, as Amazon ties you to their device and we believe you should be able to choose which eBooks you purchase.

We are very excited to finally be able to provide a book in any format our customer wants, print, audio and now eBook.

Look What We've Done

For five and a half years we have had a centre table for displaying books and other products, today these two display centres were installed and they show off all the smaller items that tended to get lost in amongst the books. Our thanks to Ben and Norm Cooper (Promontory Kitchens, Foster) for the wonderful workmanship and for understanding what on earth I was talking about when trying to describe what I wanted. Don't let the 'kitchen' bit confuse you Ben has produced some great shop fittings for other traders, including the fit out for us when we first opened.

New Product News

We're very pleased to introduce this new product, not only because it looks beautiful, but because it is contributing to the survival of the Sri Lankan elephant and is a paper product that doesn't need a tree or two to make it. The paper for these journals is made from elephant dung (through a very thorough production process) and waste office paper. Take a look at this website to learn more. Or come in and look at these journals first hand, they will make great gifts.

September - Get Reading Month

Sorry there hasn't been much movement on this blog for a week or two, we have been so busy and the time has just whizzed by..................next thing you know it's September again!!!

I can't complain because September with the Get Reading campaign is a favourite time if only because of the list of 50 books (you can't put down), some I know and some I've not come across yet, so I put my skates on and make sure we have most of the 50 books listed in store when the campaign begins.

When you purchase one of the books listed in the catalogue you receive a free book that has been specially published for this year's campaign, it's a collection of ten short stories written by Australian authors.

There's a catalogue on the counter, so next time you're passing (if you live down this way) come in and pick up your copy. Click here to go to the Get Reading website to see all that will be happening around Australia.

National Bookshop Day - August 20th

What a great initiative from the Australian Bookseller Association. Saturday, August 20th is the inaugural National Bookshop Day, all booksellers are asking, is that you wander into your local bookshop and shout 'Celebrate'. We're conducting a colouring competition to coincide with this day and details of that are attached here.

We'll make sure there are plenty of photos of the prize winners and we thank Random House for providing the prizes. Thanks Lyndal.

Dinner With Carolyn and Eileen

We are very pleased to be hosting a dinner with Carolyn Landon and Eileen Harrison on Friday, August 19th at the Rhythm Cafe. Details are in the flyer, please click here.

The book "Black Swan" will be available for sale on the night. Come and help us make this a memorable evening.

Final Twilight Author Series - Ruth Carson.

This is the pensive Ruth that we saw from time to time last Friday evening. She certainly had the audience in the palm of her hand and the question time afterwards could have gone on forever. Here's what one of the audience had to say the next day by email:

"Wonderful night! Ruth's talk was brilliant! I loved her book and now after hearing her speak of her agony, hard work and determination to make it happen, I am full of admiration and appreciate the book so much more."

This is the end of the author series and what better to finish on but this type of comment.

Twilight Author Series - Arabella Forge

Arabella Forge was our second last speaker for this years Twilight Author Series and the discussion she created around self suficiency in all its forms was well accepted by the audience. We had many of the audience asking questions and acknowledging Arabella's knowledge in the area of nutrition and sustainable living. She says about her book "Frugavore"......"I started writing this book after I found myself trying to juggle two seemingly opposing things; I wanted to provide good, nutritious food for myself and my family, while also watching my dollars when I went to the supermarket."

Twilight Author Series - Liz Rushen

Last Friday evening, even though it was freezing outside, we were all sitting in the cosy comfort of the Stockyard Gallery listening enthralled to Liz Rushen. Liz has a passion for the history of the women who made their way to Australia in the early and mid 1800s with little or no support from family, and some of them didn't have family. Liz shares her knowledge on this subject with grace and eloquence. We had a good time!

Twilight Author Series - Patrick Morgan

Another successful evening last Friday with Patrick Morgan keeping the audience engrossed in those authors and artists who literally walked around Gippsland during the mid 1800s and Patrick had some wonderful images to support his story. We're looking forward to Liz Rushen this coming Friday.

Twilight Author Series - Neil Everitt

The series got off to a great start with Neil Everitt holding the interest of the audience. It was good to see so many people willing to come out on a cold winters night, although the Stockyard Gallery is a warm and cosy venue. We're all looking forward to Patrick Morgan this coming Friday evening.

Twilight Author Series - Author Profiles

Neil Everitt - Friday 1st
Neil says he's always been interested in local history and his association with the Foster and District Historical Society goes back to the very early days in the 1970s when a few dedicated people were keen to preserve the local history of South Gippsland. Neil's first book was written with co-author Jane Vale ('Mud on Your Boots' 1988), which was about the history of Toora, then followed two more books about other aspects of that area. After many years in recess and having a passion for wooden fishing boats and the local fishing industry Neil decided, in 2009, to start researching the history of Port Franklin and the fishing families who lived there over a period of 140 years. This is the book, 'They Fished in Wooden Boats', that was launched on March 13 this year. Neil will talk about researching and writing this book.

Patrick Morgan - Friday 8th

Writer and academic, Patrick has recently published a book on Gippsland literature called 'Foothill Farmers'. Patrick is the author of a number of books including 'The Settling of Gippsland' which won the inaugural Victorian Community and Local History Award, 1998. He writes regularly for Quadrant, Tintean and other journals. Patrick will talk on writing on Gippsland, why writers (and artists) were attracted to the region from the mid 19th Century, which areas they favoured and how their perceptions changed over the decade.

Liz Rushen - Friday 15th

Historian Liz Rushen is well-know in the Corner Inlet District as she and her husband Peter ran Waratah Hills Vineyard for seven years. Whilst at the vineyard, Liz 'brewed' two books on immigrant women to colonial Australia and will be speaking to us about her new book 'Fair Game: Australian's First Immigrant Women'. 'Fair Game' tells the story of the first two ships to bring free women to Australia: the Princess Royal to Hobart and the Red Rover to Sydney. This book analyses how this migration was allowed to happen while telling the women's stories, describing who netted them in the hiring scramble and how they ultimately spread their wings, some landing in Victoria. We also hope Liz will talk about her latest project.

Arabella Forge - Friday 22nd

Arabella Forge is a Melbourne-based nutritionist, food writer and proud home-cook. She works part-time as a Dietitian in Moonee Ponds and writes on the topics of food and nutrition for a variety of magazines including 'Clean Food Organic'. She has appeared on Channel 10's the 7pm Project and The Circle. Arabella released 'Frugavore' in August 2010, the book provides a hands-on, practical guide to a new way of living, proving that frugal eating can also be flavoursome and fun. Learn how to access quality produce straight from the source, rediscover forgotten cooking techniques and create your own kitchen garden complete with compost heap and chicken coop. The book is packed with recipes, resources, tips and tricks.

Ruth Carson - Friday 29th

Ruth launched her first novel 'An Unquiet State' in March 2011. This book was the culmination of her experiences in human services, plus mental illness in general and social dysfunction at State and National level. When Ruth retired from the above areas this led to a resurgence of interest in the arts and more recently creative writing, hence a debut novel was born. This has been an interesting journey for Ruth, who had no interest in publishing, only in the use of words and the images and feelings they touched. Her talk will concentrate on this journey and the development of the story which was subsequently translated into a novel.

Twilight Author Series - July 2011

We're at that time of year again, when we are able to introduce our community to some interesting authors. This year (five Fridays again!!) all the authors are local, which gives us a great opportunity to encourage local writers. There is a flyer attached here that will give you information on each of the authors, their subjects and the dates they are appearing. Once I have all their photos we'll post them.

More Teddy Bear Photos

This is dear little Bobby from Mrs. Truscott

Raymond is a second entry from Alana Cox and he's a short stocky little fellow.

Don't you just love the flowers on Daisy? Sheila Ryan entered her and had the name already picked.

And this is Ollie B Bear and the second entry by Fleur Wheeler, and he's become the favourite of a few people.

Aren't they stunning Teddy Bears? Only a few more days to go before the judging and the silent auction on Monday 20th, for those that are available for sale.

Teddy Bear Photos

These are the beautiful Teddy Bears that are gracing our window, please come by and have a look.

This is "Linton" and his maker didn't want anyone to know who she is. Pity, because "Linton" is a lovely bear.

"Kate and William" by Nan MacKay, they look big in this photo, in the 'flesh' they are simply a couple of handfulls.

"Jolly Jack" by Les McKay a stout and solid chappy.

"Geelong Bear" and there's no doubt which team he barracks for, by Barbara Grant.

"Fonzie" is every bodies favourite Teddy Bear, by Fleur Wheeler. We have a second bear from Fleur and he'll appear in a couple of days.

Two happy chappies "Dozer" and "Benny" made by Natasha Metherall.

"Cobby" by Alana Cox. This little bear has been 'bed tested' by Alana's daughter before he came to stay with us for a little while. And can you guess where he's going when this competition is over?

This is "Bert" also by Natasha Metherall. Big, hairy and a wuzz.

"Belle" by Shirley Westaway doesn't care if the team is winning or not, she's still a solid supporter.

And a "Basket of Bears" by Lyn Paterson from Healesville. Lyn brought her little basket of pleasure all the way across country to enter them in the competition.

The judges for this Teddy Bear competition are well known to the Foster community, they are Anda Banikos and Anne Roussac-Hoyne. Entries close on Thursday June 24th and judging will take place on the Friday afternoon. We will have a silent auction for the those Teddies that are for sale and that begins on Monday June 21st.

Book Launch - Wonthaggi

Up From The Underworld: Coalminers and Community in Wonthaggi 1909-1968

by Andrew Reeves

At different stages of its history the State Coal Mine and its highly unionised workforce represented a national benchmark for the introduction of new mining technologies, for the operation of successful state enterprises and ultimately the exercise of political influence within the coal industry. While Wonthaggi's mineworkers represented only a small fraction of the Miner's Federation's national membership, their role in the union's recovery following the depression of the 1930s proved highly influential. In particular, it was the success of the 1934 Wonthaggi strike that provided the Federation with the blueprint for community mobilisation that was to be used successfully for the following decade.

Professor Stuart Macintyre, University of Melbourne says this about the book:

"Through their union the people of Wonthaggi built up their clubs and societies, their co-operative store, women's auxillary, hospital, theatre, hall and brass band. They fought for better conditions, endured mass unemployment and led the labour movement out of the humiliations of the Depression. Andrew Reeves tells the story of this close-knit occupational community with an intimate knowledge of its rich history."

This interesting and very historic book will be launched by Senator The Honourable Kim Carr on Friday, June 3rd at the State Coal Mine, Wonthaggi, Visitor Centre, Garden Street, at 3pm.