Entertainment
13 June, 2025
Popular author readings
YOUNG readers and their families are invited to a special free event featuring celebrated local children’s author Lachlann Carter at the Smithfield shopping centre tomorrow (Saturday, June 14) from 2pm-3pm.
Mr Carter will delight children aged five-10 with entertaining readings from his wildly popular ‘Big Trouble’ series and share insights into his creative writing process.
“I love sharing my writing process with kids, because it helps break down the mystery,” he said.
“Writing for me is messy, collaborative and a lot of fun. Kids really respond to seeing all the parts of the process – notebook sketches, storyboards, feedback from my editor. It’s a peek behind the curtains.”
The Big Trouble series follows the adventures of sisters Maddie and Clare, along with their troublesome pet chicken, aptly named Terrible Chicken, as they repeatedly rescue their dad from increasingly absurd and dangerous situations in their palm tree-lined cul-de-sac called Dead End.
Described by The Sydney Morning Herald as “sublime and ridiculous,” the action-packed series features illustrations by New York Times bestselling artist Douglas Holgate.
The first book, ‘Big Trouble with Angry Chairs’, introduces readers to rebellious furniture, while the recently released sequel ‘Big Trouble with An Old Fart’, features a rampaging prehistoric dinosaur fart, zombie palm fronds and dad-eating pineapples.
An educator and co-founder of Melbourne’s 100 Story Building, Mr Carter has dedicated his career to fostering creativity and literacy among young people.
