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.

The post Book Week Bear Review appeared first on Andrew Dittmer.

I met Fiona in person at the Creative Kids’Tales festival a number of years ago and was very excited to see her recent announcement that her middle grade novel was on the way!

Being Jimmy Baxter by Fiona Lloyd

Andrew: Hey, Fiona! Thanks for joining the blog. How did it feel to hold your book in your hand for the first time?

Fiona: Hi Andrew. Thanks for having me! Well – what can I say?! It’s magical, marvellous – and a little overwhelming. There it is an actual solid book full of your words. It’s pretty special.

Andrew: One detail about Jimmy Baxter is that he loves Elvis. If you were to do a karaoke with an Elvis song, what would it be?

Fiona: Elvis has many famous songs, but I’d do a lesser known one from his movie – G.I Blues. It’s called Wooden Heart, and I loved it as a child. Probably because he sung it whilst doing a funny puppet show in the movie!

Summary

Andrew: Can you tell us briefly what Being Jimmy Baxter is about and who it’s for?

Fiona:  The story revolves around Jimmy, a twelve year old boy who soon discovers his holiday isn’t a holiday after all. Landing in a rural country town, Jimmy and Mum begin a new life, but as Mum becomes ill, Jimmy must do everything he can to keep the wheels turning. Thankfully he meets some special people who help him along the way, and falls in love with the music of Elvis Presley. Whilst there are heavy topics in this book, this is a humorous and uplifting read with plenty of fun moments to carry Jimmy through.

Andrew: What new perspectives might readers gain from reading Being Jimmy Baxter?

Fiona: There are many insights into each character throughout the book allowing both adult and young readers to step into various experiences. I hope one of the take-aways for children is that everybody has a story to tell. There are some difficult topics in this book such as mental health, loneliness, and racism which open up conversations for young readers, and equally the humour and resilience of protagonist Jimmy may give them some perspective into coping mechanisms and positivity. One of the most beautiful insights is the relationship between old Mac and Jimmy, showing that friendship can grow across the ages.

Andrew: Why did you choose to set the story in the 1990s? What’s something about life back then that children may not have thought about?

Fiona: It was partly nostalgia, and partly the opportunity for world-building. Not having grown up here, I did lots of research on Australian sayings, interesting facts and timelines of food, like lollies for example. I’m sure children will pick up on the fact that there’s very little tech, and be interested in how listening to music has evolved, i.e from records to streaming services. The gentle insights into how people from other cultures were treated and perceived when Mac and his late wife Lizzy were young, may prompt them to think about the differences between now and then, and how  their own perceptions have been shaped.

Andrew: Without giving any spoilers, are there any particular moments or scenes in Being Jimmy Baxter that you think readers will really enjoy or resonate with?

Fiona: A tricky question! I’m sure there’ll be plenty of readers who will resonate with the experience of being the new kid at school. It happened to me five times! There’s a funny scene involving Jimmy on a night-time mission that I think young readers will really enjoy (Saints & Angels) but that’s too hard to say more without spoilers! Many adults have told me that one of their favourite chapters (Rain) where a very vulnerable Jimmy has sought out the comfort of his old friend Mac, has made them cry.

Andrew: Thanks Fiona for coming on the blog and thanks to everyone for reading the blog. Go ahead and find out more about Fiona on her website or follow Fiona (@fionalloydauthor) on her Instagram and Facebook.

Teachers and parents, you can find Being Jimmy Baxter teachers’ notes and colouring in resources over at Penguin.

Buy Being Jimmy Baxter on Amazon or Booktopia

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Interview with Catherine Bauer

Andrew: Hi Catherine! Thanks for coming in on the blog! After reading your intro, I’d love to know what your favourite theatre play or musical is and very importantly, what’s your favourite chocolate?

Catherine: Thanks for having me on the blog Andrew – really appreciate your interest in my novel.

The answer to what’s my favourite chocolate is easy. My absolute can’t live-without chocolate is – FruChocs. They’re apricot balls coated in milk chocolate and are a South Australian specialty – amazingly delicious.

When it comes to my favourite piece of theatre, it’s not so easy. I worked with State Theatre Company South Australia for several years and got to see some amazing work. At a pinch, State Theatre Company South Australia’s 2019 production of Hydra stands out as a favourite piece. It’s a truly a moving tale about the great Australian literary couple George Johnston who leave post-World War II Australia for the Greek island of Hydra. It really resonated with me as writer and a female. Charmaine was forced for many years to put her own writing career on the backburner while George’s career took off.

Catherine’s new YA Novel – Tulips for Breakfast

Andrew: Tulips for Breakfast is a YA historical fiction novel. Why do you love learning about history and how has it impacted your life?

Catherine: I think one of the reasons is that it sparks my imagination. I think about all these people who came before us and I wonder what their lives must have been like – especially before the advent of technology, social media, mass communication, transport and all the comforts we enjoy today. How did people manage their lives and relationships? How did the political and cultural worlds operate?

History is also a reminder of how things can go off the rails, or how we can learn from past mistakes – whether it be in relation to global politics, the environment, social welfare and other important social issues. I also love looking at history’s key moments and thinking about how they helped lead us to where we are now and how they might take us to the next stage – whatever and wherever that is. I like the concept of learning from history, which is what this Hebrew expression “between the raindrops” means – it’s about evading repeated disaster.

YA Historical fiction set in the Second World War.

Andrew: What led to your decision to write a story set in Amsterdam during the second world war?

Catherine:: My father grew up in WWII Germany – he was 11 when the war ended. When I was a kid, Dad shared his amazing stories of his experiences and adventures of growing up in a small regional town near the French border with me and my siblings. My Dad’s family experienced their own form of Nazi persecution in that that they were Catholic and did not openly support the Nazi Party. This attracted a deal of negative attention from the local Gestapo. Dad still has vivid memories of the era and the end of the war – he’s now now 89. His stories ignited my interest in the era and desire to try to make sense of what happened and why.

In addition to all this personal history, at 13 I read The Diary of Anne Frank. I was fascinated by her ability to express herself, her humanity despite only being aged 13 herself. I tried to imagine what that isolation and fear must have been like and was blown away that despite it all, she still felt there was good in everyone. She was a deep thinker and I always wonder what achievements she’d have gone on to make had things turned out differently.

The research behind the novel.

Andrew: You interviewed former hidden children to get first-hand accounts to make sure Tulips for Breakfast was historically accurate and had authentic emotion. What struck you most about those interviews and how did it help you shape your story?

Catherine: Without extensive research and the fact that others were willing to share their own histories, this story would not have been possible. I connected with Jewish museums – here in Australia the US and Jerusalem, watched documentaries, read widely and reached out to those with lived experience of the times. Without fail everyone I reached out to was encouraging and not at all reserved in their encouragement or willingness to be honest and open.

One thing that surprised me was that many former hidden children – now elderly men and women – said that reconnecting with their parents and families after the war was often very difficult and painful for them – even though they had missed their parents hugely and feared they had been killed. Not only had time passed, they had changed during their time apart – grown up and developed their own ideas and personalities.

Also, for many they couldn’t reconcile the fact their parents had ‘given them up’ – even though it was done in the hope their children would survive where they, as adults, may not. This shattering of relationships was lifelong for many children who were never able to reform family bonds. I found this sad and surprising, but on reflection understand that the trauma of separation makes the idea a lot more feasible.

Reader feedback for Tulips for Breakfast

Andrew: As of May 2023, Tulips for Breakfast has only been out for several months but have you received feedback from readers? How has Tulips for Breakfast resonated with them?

Catherine: I’ve been touched by the feedback received so far – some readers have described the story as ‘heart breaking’, ‘funny’ and ‘suspenseful’. One adult reader said she could relate to the sense of isolation that resonates through the story. She said the difficulties that Lena had reconnecting with her family after her period in hiding was something she related to in reconnecting with others after Covid lockdown. It wasn’t something I expected. Another said it was a reminder that power can go to the heads of political leaders’ heads – a comparison to a former US President perhaps?

Andrew: Your character Adelena is loosely based on the real-life Hanneli Goslar-Pick, who was a friend and playmate of Anne Frank. Hanneli Goslar-Pick, sadly recently passed away in Israel. Hanneli had written to you, encouraging you to tell the next generation what happened. What did that mean to you to have the support and encouragement from Hanneli?

Catherine: Yes, my main character Adelena, aka Lena, is based on Anne’s best friend Hannah Goslar. Anne and Hannah went to the same kindergarten, primary school and the Jewish Lyceum.
Having access to this direct link to Hannah and having her encouragement to tell this story, fiction – but heavily based in fact – meant more than I can express. It inspired me through all the periods of uncertainty and all those times I grappled to find the time to sit down and write.

Andrew: How can people find out more about you and your books?

Catherine: I’m not great at social media – it’s one of my ambitions to improve!
But you can find me on Facebook and Instagram:

Andrew: Thanks so much for sharing with us about your story! All the best as you write the sequel.

Get Tulips for Breakfast from Booktopia or your favourite online or your local bookstore.

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Andrew: Hi Dannielle, welcome to the blog! Let’s start off by getting to know something about you. What were some of your favourite memories as a child?

Dannielle: Hi Andrew! I had an interesting childhood to say the least. My father was a stuntman in films, TV shows and live performances. One of my clearest memories is exploring the various sets at Smoky Dawson’s Ranch in Ingleside – including a colonial Australian town, a Wild West town and a jousting arena – where shows were held on weekends for the public. I was even part of the entertainment! At just four years of age, I played the princess’s pageboy during the jousting tournament. From then on, I relished using my imagination to create stories about the world around me.

Andrew: You just launched The Leftover Lemon Dilemma at Lalor Park Community Garden. What were the highlights for you?

Dannielle: My publisher, Sharon Baldwin, and I were eager to hold the launch in a community garden, because the book has strong sustainability, community and diversity themes. When Lalor Park Community Garden agreed to host the event, we were delighted. It is a magical space with lots of intriguing pathways as well as a doorway to a secret garden, and the cool shade was very welcome on what turned out to be a hot autumn day!

It was thrilling to read The Leftover Lemon Dilemma to a rapt audience of adults and children for the first time (I had only ever read the text to myself), and their immediate and positive response was uplifting. We also served the three main treats mentioned in the book – jalebi, shortbread and Turkish delight – which everyone raved about. Many people had never tried jalebi before, so it was fabulous that we could introduce them to this sweet Indian snack.

Andrew: Have you ever had a lemon tree? And if so, what did you use the lemons for?

Dannielle: The lemon tree in the book is based on the one that my mum had in our backyard when I was growing up. Every year, it produced hundreds of fat and juicy (but sour) lemons, and we could never use them all or even give them away. It seemed like such a waste. Now, I have

a smaller lemon tree in my backyard, but it’s actually a lemonade tree – the fruits are sweeter than normal. We squeeze the juice over fish and pancakes, and my youngest daughter likes to make traditional lemonade.

Andrew: Apart from enjoying the story, what will children (and adults) gain by reading The Leftover Lemon Dilemma?

Dannielle: The Leftover Lemon Dilemma shines a light on a simple way that children (and adults!) can help to reduce food wastage through the sustainable practice of crop swapping. But on a deeper level, it also celebrates the diversity of Australian neighbourhoods. Through the foods featured in the story, and the homes and clothing of the minor characters (researched in depth and presented with sensitivity and authenticity by illustrator Paula Deuber), readers young and old will develop a stronger appreciation for the multicultural nature of the community around them.

Andrew: Do you have a favourite part of your story or a spread that is particularly meaningful to you?

Dannielle: I adore the last spread in the book. The protagonist, Mandy, happily sees that her small idea of swapping her sour lemons for something sweet has turned into a huge and colourful street party, where her neighbours have come together to exchange foods and enjoy each other’s company. I also love the unique visual narrative that Paula has cleverly woven into the spreads.

A crested pigeon (which we’ve nicknamed Spike) spends the entire book trying to steal the treats that Mandy collects – he finally succeeds in grabbing a tasty morsel during the street party. When I tell kids about Spike’s adventure, they eagerly scour the pages looking for him!

Andrew: What is your favourite thing about doing author visits?

Dannielle: One of the best things about author visits is the reaction of the kids – they really enjoy listening to my stories, participating in my writing workshops and learning about my life as an author. I always get a buzz when a wide-eyed child comes up to me at the end of the session and tells me that they love writing, too – they can’t believe that it’s something they can do as a job when they’re an adult!

Perhaps the biggest thrill is when kids see me many months after a school visit, and they excitedly tell me how much they liked my story or my writing activity – I love that I had this profound impact on them.

Andrew: How can people find you and follow your work as you continue making and sharing your stories with the world?

Dannielle: I have a website where I list my books and anthologies, and also keep followers up to date with news about my writing journey each month. I’m also very active on social media, and I try to post different things on Facebook and Instagram. In addition, I’ve recently set up a YouTube channel, where I’ve started to upload videos of me reading my children’s stories, plus animated shorts of my children’s poems.

Andrew: That’s awesome! Thanks for coming on the blog to chat about your lovely new book, The Leftover Lemon Dilemma! All the best as you get your book out into the hands of kids all over the place.

The post Dannielle Viera chats about The Leftover Lemon Dilemma appeared first on Andrew Dittmer.

An Epic Picture Book About Camping

This dad takes his kiddos camping. And of course, out in nature and amongst wild creatures are plenty of opportunities for poor, old Dad to become a victim to the elements and wildlife. From a fall in the swamp, to a run in with a boar, spiders, snakes, ants and more, nothing can stop this epic dad from giving his kids a fun camping trip.

Written in rhyme, My Epic Dad! Takes Us Camping follows Dad and his kids (and dog) on a camping trip. Kids will love seeing dear Dad with his slapstick encounters in the wild as the kids change from being sceptical about camping to loving it and just love being with their dad.

The illustrations by Marina Verola really capture the epic camping disasters and poor dad’s expressions. I especially love the final illustration which really shows the children’s love and awe of their epic dad while dad is sleeping with all his bumps and bruises in the back of the ute.

My Epic Dad!

Kids may not thank Dad until they’re grown up for all he went through to give them enjoyment moments like this, but he doesn’t need it. Seeing his kids faces lit up, laughing and enjoying new experiences is all he’s really looking for. I think this book captures that well along with all the catastrophes that are going to be funny stories for the family to look back on one day. Even if it’s #toosoon for him to think they’re funny just yet.

I think kids will love seeing all the dramatic moments as this epic Dad attracts every danger possible but soldiers on and gives his kids an epic camping trip.

Thanks for reading my My Epic Dad! Takes Us Camping review! Grab it for your next bedtime story with YOUR epic dad.

If you loved this one, read my interview with Dani Vee about her book My EXTRAordinary Mum.

The post My Epic Dad! Takes Us Camping Review appeared first on Andrew Dittmer.

Andrew:
Hi Dannika, thanks for coming for an interview! It’s a pleasure to have you. Let’s start with one of my favourite questions to ask people. Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.

Dannika:
I’ll give you 3!

• I was once part of a (very, very amateur) Spice Girl tribute group. I played Posh Spice.
• I briefly held a Guinness World Record for being part of the World’s Largest Ballet Class.
• I make a mean lasagna.

Andrew:
Wow! That’s so cool. I wasn’t expecting those answers!

Your new picture book Hedgehog the Wonder Dog launched on 1st February 2023. It looks beautiful! What can you tell us about Hedgehog the Wonder Dog?

Dannika:
Hedgehog the Wonder Dog is a story about the healing powers of wonder dogs (therapy dogs) and super brave kids.

The story is narrated by Sam, who is eagerly awaiting a visit from Hedgehog the Wonder Dog
from his hospital bed. There’s a dual narrative in this story, allowing the reader windows into both Sam’s life in hospital and Hedgehog’s antics with his handler, Jo. We follow both Sam and Hedgehog’s routines throughout the days of the week, as Sam counts down the sleeps until Hedgehog visits him in hospital, every Friday. No matter what kind of Friday Sam is having, Hedgehog always makes him smile. She seems to intuitively know just what kind of company he
needs from her on any given day.

This story is a light touch on what can be a heavy subject (childhood illness) that celebrates the
unique comfort to be found in man’s best furry, four-legged friend in general, and the wonders of
therapy dogs, specifically.

Andrew:
Who do you think Hedgehog the Wonder Dog will resonate with and what do you hope they come away with after enjoying story time with Hedgehog The Wonder Dog?

Dannika:
I hope that Hedgehog the Wonder Dog offers love, hope and reassurance to readers from age five & up. I hope it proves to be not only a story that children can enjoy as a picture book in itself, but also a valuable resource for educators, parents and medical staff, exemplifying the ‘extraordinary’ and ‘wonder-filled’ benefits of therapy dogs.

Andrew:
How has Ross Morgan enhanced the story through illustrations?

Dannika:
I am in awe and gratitude for all the rich ways that Ross Morgan has added layers of visual narrative into this story. His art is so evocative. From the way he has used light to show Hedgehog illuminated with a magical, rainbow glow, to the way he’s depicted the various backgrounds & hospital scenes, etched with soft pencil lines and shading, to keep the focus on the bond between Hedgehog and Sam.

I love that Ross has used layered traditional mediums mixed with digital art. And I adore the colourful, happy child-like pen drawings lining the walls, signifying Sam’s uplifting moments and featured on the end papers of the hardcover version of this book. Basically – I’m a HUGE Ross Morgan fan. HUGE.

Andrew:
I saw a video post you made about the upcoming launch of Hedgehog the Wonder Dog. In that video, you introduced to us your pet dog, George. Tell us about something funny or silly that your real-life wonder dog, George has done.

Dannika:
My dog George is a 3 year old mixed-breed gentle giant who doesn’t understand how light or shadows work. He’s constantly chasing flickering lights or being frightened by shadows. Have you ever seen a cat chase a laser light? Well, our dog George does that! He CANNOT figure out where a laser or torch light is coming from and will run around chasing a light to the point of exhaustion. He actually tries to pounce on in. Like a cat. It’s hilarious to watch. And also a great way to exercise him in our back yard if we haven’t had time to walk him during the day!

Andrew:
How can people follow you and your trail of books?

Dannika:
Answer: Folks can keep up with my books news, workshops and other events by following me on Instagram @dannikapatterson and/or on Facebook @dannikapattersonbooks

Thanks so much for the interview, Dannika! Best wishes as you see Hedgehog get out and share story time with kids everywhere!

Thanks for reading this interview with Dannika Patterson. You can grab Hedgehog The Wonder Dog from your favourite book shop or online stores or below.

The post Dannika Patterson Talks Hedgehog The Wonder Dog appeared first on Andrew Dittmer.