Ashling Kwok writes books that are sometimes funny, sometimes sensitive, but always straight from the heart. She has published several books with Little Pink Dog Books, Yellow Brick Books and EK Books. Join us for this interview as Ashling chats about her book, Butterfly Girl illustrated by Arielle Li.

Andrew: Hi Ashling, thanks for coming on the blog. Can you tell us a bit about yourself? And include something about you that not many people know.

Ashling: Hey Andrew, thanks so much for having me. I’m delighted to be here!

I live in a leafy green suburb in Sydney with my husband, two gorgeous kiddies and two very cheeky border collies. I work as a communications specialist for a medical company during the day, and fit my creative writing in around that. Life is hectic and crazy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m grateful for all the gifts that have come my way.

Something that many people may not know? Gosh, where do I start? I’m a terrible sleeper, a very average cook, I have no sense of direction, I can’t ski to save my life … the list goes on! But hopefully I’m an okay writer and the books I write bring happiness to the lives of readers.

Butterfly Girl by Ashling Kwok and Arielle Li

Andrew: I’m certain your books are bringing happiness all over the place. Let’s talk about your new book, Butterfly Girl. How long did Butterfly Girl take from when the idea popped into your head until publication?

Ashling: About two and a half years in total. The idea for this book came to me during Covid when I saw an image of a child in lockdown standing on balcony in a dark, gloomy, colourless, empty city. I started to wonder how children without any colour in their lives made it through the day and how they managed to hold onto hope – and the idea for Butterfly Girl was born.

I knew what I wanted to do with the story but I had trouble with the setting and some of the logistics and practicalities of the story. After spending a year reworking it over and over again, I finally nailed it and submitted it to EK Books. From submission to publication, it took about 18 months which seems to be the standard time frame for most picture books.

Andrew: Something that most children will have to deal with as they grow, is moving from one place to another. They may leave behind family and friends and have to start fresh. How does Butterfly Girl equip children who might be facing such a situation?

Ashling: I hope Butterfly Girl brings children comfort by showing them that although moving away from loved ones is really tough, they can build a new life and make new friends if they hold onto hope. Often the things that terrify us turn out to be the most wonderful experiences. We just have to believe that everything will work out in the end.

Butterfly Girl Illustrated by Arielle Li

Andrew: Butterfly Girl was illustrated by Arielle Li. I remember chatting with you at the Anchored (By Debra Tidball and Arielle Li) book launch and you were excited that Arielle was working on your next book. Now here it is and Arielle has delivered beautiful, soft and emotive illustrations. Do you have a favourite spread? If so, why is it so impactful for you?

Ashling: Now that’s a tough question! I absolutely adore every page in this book. Arielle is amazing and managed to design the book of my dreams. I’ve just flicked through the book again trying to decide on my favourite spread but I can’t because I love them all too much. Each illustration tells a story of its own. They take my breath away. Arielle is amazing and I can’t thank her enough for bring our little butterfly girl to life.

Andrew: Do you have a favourite place to write?

Ashling: I have an office but for some reason I always end up at the kitchen table. I have big bay windows and am surrounded by trees so I think this helps me relax and makes me get lost in my words. On a good day, I can even ignore the cobwebs that constantly attach themselves to the windows, no matter how often I clean them!

Andrew: Thanks for chatting on the blog and we wish you every success with Butterfly Girl. I’m sure kids will love the story and illustrations and will be empowered to meet challenges and changes.

To learn more about Ashling and her books, find her on her:
Website, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter

Buy Butterfly Girl now

Grab Butterfly Girl now at your favourite bookshop or online retailer. (Amazon and Booktopia links below are affiliate links)

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If you loved learning about Ashling Kwok and Butterfly Girl, you can find more interviews with book creators and find book reviews at the Kids’ Book Blog

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Shae Millward is the author of The Rabbit’s Magician, Koalas Like To and A Boy and a Dog. Shae is based in Hervey Bay, Queensland and has four children. She has a number of picture books and a middle-grade novel in progress. She also enjoys writing inspirational quotes, poetry and song lyrics.

Interview with Children’s Author, Shae Millward

Andrew: Hi Shae, great to have you on the blog. Let’s start off with a fun one. Tell us about something crazy that you’ve done.

Shae: Once upon a time I let the fear of what other people might think stop me from pursuing my dreams.

Crazy, huh?

Andrew: Wow. That is crazy. When you’re not writing for children, you enjoy writing inspirational quotes, poetry and song lyrics. Can you share one of your favourite quotes, section of poetry or song lyrics and explain how you hope it will resonate with the reader?

Shae: I’m gonna go with a humorous one. An inspirational quote that kind of ties in with the previous question.

“Why dance as if nobody’s watching?
Dance as if everyone’s watching and give ‘em all a jolly good show!”

Shae Millward

It’s a good reminder to not worry so much about what others might think. A self-confidence booster that can apply to many different scenarios.

You wanna do that thing?
Go for it!
Be your amazing self!
Dance, baby, dance!
You tripped, you stumbled, you fell on your butt?
Nah, that was just part of your brilliant choreography!

Shae Millward

Andrew: They’re great messages! I’d like people to get a feel for your published books. I already have a copy of A Boy and a Dog that I’ve enjoyed with my son many times. Can you tell everyone what A Boy and a Dog is about and what inspired you to write it?

A Boy And A Dog

Shae: A Boy and A Dog tells the timeless tale of a lonely boy and a lonesome dog who find each other and discover true friendship. This story celebrates the special bond that can form between children and animals, with a focus on kid-canine companionship. It contains the universal themes of trust, connection and belonging. But at its heart, it’s a story about love.

The inspiration came in the form of the first four lines popping into my mind:

There once was a dog who just wanted to play,
But his owner was busy, ‘No! Go away!’
And there was a boy who just wanted to play,
But the kids at school shouted, ‘No! Go away!’

A Boy and a Dog

And, well, I couldn’t just leave it there now, could I? No, I was much too curious to discover how their story would turn out!

Koalas Like To…

Andrew: That’s awesome! Let’s chat about your book, Koala’s Like To … Now, I’m guessing the book is filled with Koalas sleeping in trees and not doing anything remotely interesting, am I right? And what can children learn about koalas by reading the story and the facts at the end of the book?

Shae: True, koalas spend most of their time a) sleeping in trees, and b) eating gum leaves. However, Koalas Like To is a humorous picture book featuring fun rhyme and repetition along with a cast of cute koala characters and their quirky capers.

Koalas like to sleep in trees.
Koalas like to eat gum leaves.
They also like to try on wigs.
And roll around in mud with pigs.

Koalas Like To . . .

You’ll be surprised what these koalas get up to!

Amid the wacky antics, children can learn that koalas have two “thumbs” on each front paw; they eat YOO-KAH-LIP-TUS leaves; their bottoms have extra thick fur which provides padding for the many hours they spend sitting in trees… and more!

The Rabbit’s Magician

Andrew: That sounds like tons of fun and educational, too! Your latest book as of this blog post is The Rabbit’s Magician. Who is this book best suited to and what behind-the-scenes info can you share about it?

Shae: The Rabbit’s Magician is a story of love, loss and comfort. It is inspired by a scientific principle and fundamental law of nature called The Law of Conservation of Energy, which states: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can change from one form into another.

This gentle but powerful picture book offers solace to the heart of anyone who has lost a loved one. The story’s layered meaning and intertwining themes – including the universe, nature, the moon and its phases, reminders of loved ones, and the power of love – enable it to be interpreted in your own special way.

“Everything in the universe is made of energy, including us – therefore, those who can no longer be touched by our hand can still be felt by our heart.” – SM

Behind the scenes: I had put it out there into the universe that I was ready to write a new story. No grand ritual, just a thought within my own mind, an acknowledgement that I had finished up a bunch projects and was now excited to welcome a new idea.

Usually, my stories start with a spark of an idea – it could be anything: a set of rhyming lines, a character, a title, a situation, a basic concept or an image – which I then have to work at to flesh out.

I never intentionally set out to write a story about loss – it was certainly not a subject I would have chosen to tackle. But a scene appeared in my mind of a rabbit looking up at the moon. I sensed he was waiting for something. The moon phases changed, and still, he waited. What are you waiting for? I wondered. And then, he told his tale. In a matter of moments, the whole story of The Rabbit’s Magician suddenly existed, like a neatly wrapped gift. No tackling involved.

There was some hesitancy on my part in regards to the potentially sensitive subject matter, but because of the blessed way in which the story came into being – the way it presented itself – I felt it had come as not only a gift for me but for anyone who might need it.

Andrew: Do you have anything in the works that you can tease us with?

Shae: I always have a bunch of ideas for picture book stories floating around, and the middle-grade novel I’m working on continues to progress nicely. I’m also creating a range of t-shirt designs – some are autism-championing (I’m on the autism spec(trum)tacular myself!) and others are geared towards writerly folk, I guess you could call it ‘writer wear’ or ‘author apparel’ – it’s fun!

Andrew: Thanks for coming on the blog, Shae. Your books are a lovely mix of positive messages and fun. I’m sure people will love sharing them with their family and friends.

Head on over to Shae Millward’s website or follow her on Facebook or Instagram.

Buy Shae Millward Books

I hope you enjoyed this Shae Millward intervew. If one of Shae’s books would be perfect for a special child in your life, grab one of these links (Amazon and Booktopia are affiliate links) or from your favourite online or local bookshop.

Buy on Booktopia
Buy from Amazon

Buy State Library Of QLD

Buy on Booktopia
Buy on Angus & Robertson

More reviews and Interviews

For more interviews and children’s book reviews, head over to my kids’ book blog. Have a great day!

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Hi, Emma! Thanks for coming on the blog! I read from your website that you love dragons. What do you most love about dragons? Who is your all-time favourite dragon and why?

Emma: Thanks for having me here! The thing that I find really fascinating about dragons is that virtually all cultures across the globe have their own dragon mythology. From Mesopotamia to medieval Europe and across Asia, why did all our ancestors conjure the same mythic beast?

And as for my favourite dragon – is it cheating to say my own dragon? The cursed baby dragon Raine finds is funny, brave and ridiculously cute. Plus, he can do a special (smelly!) trick, which I can’t give away, but readers love it!

What is Raine in the Underlands about?

Without giving too much away, tell us a bit about your new book, Raine in the Underlands and what you love most about the main character, Raine.

Raine in the Underlands is a funny, fast-paced fantasy adventure full of magic and mayhem, culminating in an epic battle. There are farting dragons, rainbow spews, eccentric wizards, sly fairies, hidden royals and sassy dwarves. It’s got everything!

My favourite thing about Raine is that even though she’s part of a prophecy and thrust into a magical world, in her own mind she’s just an ordinary kid. She doesn’t feel like she’s special, and she struggles with the self-esteem and self-belief issues that we all face sometimes. All she wants to do is find her dad and help her friends. So, she feels like a very real person to me.

Who is Raine in the Underlands for?

Who do you think will enjoy Raine in the Underlands the most? Describe someone who would be a perfect fit to enjoy it.

Raine in the Underlands is perfect for fans of Nevermoor, Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. Anyone who loves adventure, magic and funny characters will love it. I’ve been told it’s as if Terry Pratchett had written The Chronicles of Narnia – which is a huge compliment!

That’s awesome! What is the major theme of Raine in the Underlands? And what impact can you envision it having on its readers.

Raine is a story about learning to believe in yourself. Middle and upper primary can be a difficult time as friendships change and children start to think about their self-identity and where they belong in the world. Raine in the Underlands reflects these concerns, as well as complicated family relationships. I hope that, despite it’s fantastical setting, children will see themselves and their own worries reflected in Raine’s journey and realise that no one, even heroes and parents, are perfect.

What are some key things you learned in your MA in Literary Criticism and how do you apply that to your own writing?

I learnt that not everyone likes the same book. It doesn’t matter how well you write, there are a million reasons why a reader may not like your book. I had to study some amazing texts that as a reader I simply didn’t enjoy. And that’s really important to remember as an author. You cannot please everyone, so I envision my ideal reader and write the perfect book for them.

Can we expect a sequel or are you working on other stories you hope to publish next?

Raine is a planned trilogy. I’m about halfway through book 2- Raine in the Dark. And I’m also working on another middle-grade book and a couple of picture book manuscripts as well. Busy!

How can people find you online?

You can find me on my website E.M. Greville.

Thanks for coming on the blog, Emma!

E.M. Greville Bio:

E.M. Greville is an award-winning short fiction writer. An ex-English teacher from England with an MA in Literary Criticism, she trotted around the globe before settling in Victoria. She can usually be found herding children, chooks and cats, and scribbling brilliant story ideas on scraps of paper, which she promptly loses and blames on the badly herded children, chooks and cats.

She is passionate about helping kids discover a love of reading and writing, and explores the world of words through school visits, presentations and writing workshops. She promises to leave the wild creatures at home.

More interviews and reviews from the kids’ book blog

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Dog Picture Books – Pig The Pug

Pig the Pug books have been read again and again in our household. They’re perfect for kids who laugh at slapstick humour and hilarious illustrations. They are great rhyming picture books that also come with a little gentle message which Pig the Pug doesn’t always fully grasp or internalise. There’s Pig the Pug, the original and then plenty of other stories including Pig the Winner, Pig the Star, Pig the Fibber, Pig the Tourist and Pig the Elf and more!. It’s hard to go wrong with Pig the Pug. Written and illustrated by Aaron Blabey, author of The Bad Guys.

Buy a Pig the Pug book on Amazon

Walking your Human

Walking Your Human is a great fun book. It’s all about walking your dog. But it’s told from the dog’s perspective. It’s a fun twist and it’s really funny seeing things from the dogs perspective. Sometimes dogs see things differently to us.

Liz Ledden has skilfully left space for the funny illustrations by Gabriela Petruso to extend the meaning of the text. Kids will be really engaged to interpret the story through the words from the dogs perspective combined with the illustrations. Kids will understand the human perspective too which is VERY different to the dog’s perspective on everything which makes this super funny! I thoroughly recommend it.

Read my interview with Liz Ledden as she talks about Walking Your Human.

Maureen Mann from her Walking Your Human review on Reading Time says “All libraries – school, public and home – should have this title.”

Buy now from Amazon

Picture Book – Buster Follows His Nose

Tilly loves to explore. But one day, she gets lost. Luckily she has good old Buster to keep her safe. Buster’s nose knows. Buster Follows His Nose was shortlisted in the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year awards. A sweet book that shows a special bond between child and dog and how dogs care for the people they love with their special skills.

Read my interview with Paula Stevenson as she discusses all about Buster Follows His Nose. You’ll also learn about Paula’s inspiration for writing Buster Follows His Nose and other aspects of life on a Wagyu cattle farm.

Buy from Amazon

Dog Picture Books – Three by Stephen Michael King

Three is one of my favourite dog picture books. The main character is a dog called Three. Three is a sweet three-legged dog who explores his world with a curious mind, a thankful heart and a positive attitude.

Read my Three by Stephen Michael King review for some more insight.

Buy Three from Amazon or check your local bookshop.

Hedgehog the Wonderdog by Dannika Patterson

Just recently, Hedgehog the Wonderdog was shortlisted in the Speech Pathology Australia book of the Year Awards 2023. Hedgehog is a therapy dog and Sam is a hospital patient. Although Hedgehog doesn’t always do all the right things, he truly is a wonder dog. He’s there by your side when you really need it, when you need cheering up. Then he sits, stays and understands.

Pamela Ueckerman reviewed Hedgehog the Wonderdog on Reading Time and says, “Hedgehog the Wonder Dog is a sweet, subtle and beautifully-written story about the power of comfort and healing that can come from a companion animal…”

Read my interview with Dannika as Dannika Patterson chats Hedgehog the Wonderdog so you can learn more about Dannika, illustrator Ross Morgan and of course more behind the scenes.

Buy from Amazon

There’s no shortage of super fun dog picture books for kids who love dogs. They range from funny to reassuring, to loving and everything in between. So go on and grab one that you think you and your children, grandchildren or students will love the most!

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A Picture Book For Book Week

Book Week Bear is the perfect picture book for book week. It’s a fun rhyming story with sweet illustrations. The concept is cool and will no doubt be a favourite around that yearly event with book character parades and such.

What is Book Week Bear About

The main character’s best friend, Clare, is dressing up as a bear for the parade. Her costume is incredible. Surely she’ll take out the prize? Although she looks like a front runner for the best dressed competition, she is showing a few strange behaviours. As you read the book with your children, these strange behaviours might activate those little detectives on your lap or in your classroom. If so, they’ll be very chuffed at their Sherlock skills as they discover something before the characters in the book.

Who is Book Week Bear for?

I think Book Week Bear will be great for preschool aged children to around year one. It will really hype up the yearly celebration. I can imagine lots of teachers will love to share this story year after year with their classes during Book Week.

When is Book Week in Australia?

We’ve just had the 2023 event in Australia. Once announced, you’ll be able to find out the dates for the next one on the CBCA Book Week page. It’s usually around August. For other countries, check your local dates.

Get it for your next book week

If you think this will be a fun book for you to share with your child or class, you can find it in good book shops, on Booktopia, Amazon Australia, Target and not doubt many other places too. Enjoy! I hope you liked this Book Week Bear review. For more reviews, author interviews, go ahead and read other posts on my Kids’ Book Blog.

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