Andrew McDonald
andrewmcdonald.bsky.social
Andrew McDonald
@andrewmcdonald.bsky.social
Writer. Real Pigeons. Hello Twigs.

Living/writing on Wurrundjeri Country.
Reposted by Andrew McDonald
The little Meanjin collection that I helped bring into the world as editor. Just a fragment of its 85-year catalogue. What an act of bone-stupid arrogance to kill it.
September 4, 2025 at 11:01 PM
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READING FOR PLEASURE has the biggest positive impact of any factor on children’s life chances. So whatever else you do, please never stop helping kids find books to read & love. Never stop sharing books, talking about books, celebrating books & reading. It will change their lives! #literacy
July 15, 2025 at 8:02 PM
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I hope the Lattouf decision gives other board members decision makers around the country serious pause in the future.
Political opinions are still legal in this country. Facts and criticism about horrific human rights violations should be supported, not punished.
June 25, 2025 at 1:11 AM
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There is still no baby formula allowed into Gaza. Israel is not only bombing and shooting a starving, exhausted civilian population, it’s banned baby formula. Babies under 6 months can only have breastmilk or formula. Their mothers are starving and have no milk. Milk. Must. Enter.
June 25, 2025 at 10:31 PM
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Maribyrnong council voted to commercialise a longstanding not-for-profit childcare centre. Please sign the petition to keep it community based and affordable.
Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?
Keep Bulldogs Community Children’s Centre Not-for-Profit
chng.it
June 25, 2025 at 11:00 PM
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I am often asked how to get boys into reading. I honestly don't think boys are different to anyone else. If you want them to love reading - JUST LET THEM READ THINGS THEY LOVE! Whatever those things might be, they are the things that make us all into readers. #literacy

(Art: Bill Watterson)
April 14, 2025 at 6:29 PM
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Debut picture book author wins $125,000 for autobiographical ‘visual feast’

Nukgal Wurra author and artist Wanda Gibson became the first person to win the Victorian premier’s literary award in both the children’s and overall categories for her book Three Dresses www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...
Debut picture book author wins $125,000 for autobiographical ‘visual feast’
Nukgal Wurra author and artist Wanda Gibson became the first person to win the Victorian premier’s literary award in both the children’s and overall categories for her book Three Dresses
www.theguardian.com
March 19, 2025 at 10:29 PM
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One of the most important websites in America right now.
Is this a coup? Home of the Coup-o-meter
Prevention is the best medicine: Get background on coups, how they happen in a democracy, and what we can do to stop one.
isthisacoup.com
February 6, 2025 at 2:03 AM
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“I don’t think this is something the Australian government is interested in fixing...But the implications are that we will lose Australian culture in the process.”

Thank you @sophtree.bsky.social & @beneltham.bsky.social for stating the bleeding obvious:

www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...
‘It will be dire for readers’: the disappearing voices of Australia’s independent publishers
Many local award-winning authors first found a home at a small publishing house, but as yet another is subsumed by one of the ‘big five’, there are fears for the writers of the future
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2025 at 10:00 PM
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Damn, just saw that Jules Feiffer—who would have turned 96 today—died on Jan. 17. Loose, sketchy, style that captured flowing movement. Biting political cartoons. Wonderful children's books ('I'm Not Bobby!' & 'Bark George' are favorites). Legendary illustrations for 'The Phantom Tollbooth.' R.I.P.
January 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Far out 🤦🏻‍♂️

harpers.org/archive/2025...
The Ghosts in the Machine, by Liz Pelly
Spotify’s plot against musicians
harpers.org
December 23, 2024 at 9:07 PM
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Merry Christmas from Albanese and Tanya Plibersek, it’s officially Take Out The Trash season! 4 new coal approvals just in time for Christmas. What a gift for all the kiddies who might have been hoping for real climate action and a safe future.
December 19, 2024 at 9:43 PM
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Hey @nytimes.com a list of the year’s fiction and nonfiction without any books for young people isn’t really all the year’s “notable books” now, is it?
November 26, 2024 at 5:40 PM
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For anyone wondering, this is my all-time favourite Edward Steed drawing...
November 25, 2024 at 2:05 PM
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One of my favourite old Scots words is tartle, which describes that moment of hesitation or panic while you're desperately trying to remember someone's name (when greeting or introducing them). I especially like it because it always makes me think of this brilliant Edward Steed drawing...
November 25, 2024 at 1:51 PM
If you really wanna disrupt publishing, normalise including back covers in online book listings.
November 26, 2024 at 9:48 AM
We're doing a big event soon at the Wheeler Centre – a Holiday sPECKtacular!

There'll be festive Real Pigeons nonsense. Feats of incredible storytelling from some special guests. And we'll be raising money for the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency.

www.wheelercentre.com/events-ticke...
November 25, 2024 at 1:07 AM
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I love that this piece on celeb children's books by Penni Russon doesn't just nail why they're problematic, but boosts some fab Australian children's writers.

'I’m a children’s writer – and celebrity children’s books undervalue my craft.’

theconversation.com/im-a-childre...
https://theconversation.com/im-a-childrens-writer-and-celebrity-childrens-books-undervalue-my-craft-243821
t.co
November 19, 2024 at 12:46 AM
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Looking after the kids.
My @smh cartoon.
November 12, 2024 at 8:59 PM