Krista Brennan's The Storytellers - Q&A

Illustrator and fine artist Krista Brennan’s great attention to detail and colours found inside The Storytellers left us wanting to know more… so, we interviewed her. 

Q: What was it about Robert's story that drew you into illustrating it?

A: I think the whole premise of the story is very personal to me since I'm a creative person myself. I really felt a connection to all the characters, particularly the illustrator Imani. 

Q: At the beginning of this project how did you visualise the concepts Robert Vescio presented through text? 

A: I have a really visual internal life, so whenever I read or listen to anything I see very clear images in my head. Even in answering these questions, I can picture someone sitting in front of their computer reading the answers! Growing up this was very distracting and made focusing really difficult (and I now know it's a part of my ADHD), but it has been such an asset to illustration. So, as soon as I read the text, I can see the pictures forming clearly in my mind. The image on pages 16-17 where Imani is sketching, and the images are forming in front of her in the air is a representation of what it's like for me. Robert also gave some guidance on what he thought the pages might look like, and I would often work with those ideas as a base.  

Q: Do you have an example of a page where you believe you've enlarged on what is explicitly presented in the text? 

A: I'm always thinking about how my illustrations can enhance what is happening in the text, and one of the main things I added was the visual theme of the dragon on various pages through the text. There's not quite a dragon on every page, but I wanted to have referenced throughout in various ways, developing from a small wisp on pages 6-7 to a full dragon on 12-13, and then becoming more solid and real until it's at the entrance to the theme park on page 28.

Q: What page or spread are you the proudest of in The Storytellers and why?

A: I think I'm most proud of the cover, and it captures all the characters in their childhood, when they are first finding their creativity, and brings them together in a way that doesn't happen in the story. I like the warmth and dreaminess of it, and it makes me think of happy moments in my own childhood, climbing trees and being imaginative.

Q: Can you tell us about your design journey and how easy or difficult this particular project was compared to your previous body of works?

A: I always start with storyboard sketches and character designs to get a sense of how things are going to look. Having so many different characters is always a challenge as it means I have to design several people (and each person at two different ages) so it took a little while to get that right. I was also using a new program to paint these illustrations so there was a bit of a learning curve in knowing how to use the brushes and tools properly. The hardest part was the book shop scene on pages 20-21 as I had to paint the cover of each book by hand. I wasted some time trying to work out if there was a short cut way to do it, but it never looked the way I wanted, so in the end I just did them all individually! I think the piece of design I was happiest with was the dragon, because it had a personal significance for me. When I was around 11 years old, I drew a dragon and entered it into an art competition at my school. I didn't win, but only because the judges thought it looked too good and I must have had help from a parent! The dragon in this story is the same style of dragon I drew for that competition, so I'm really happy to think it can finally have a place in the world (and no-one will tell me I had help with it!)

Click here to get your copy of The Storytellers

Click here to watch The Storytellers book trailer

Robert Vescio's The Storytellers - Q&A

Come with us as we interview Robert Vescio, the award-winning talented author in his newest children's book The Storytellers where his story and love of tales in bursting right from the pages. 

Q: At what age did you discover your own love for storytelling? 

A: I think I was six when I discovered my love of storytelling. It all started with a mouse – Disney’s Mickey Mouse Brave Little Tailor vinyl Record and Book. It was a See, Hear and Read 7” Record + 24page Book. The narrator reads every word as you see it in the book. It’s a great way to assist non-readers to learn and help beginners to read. And you knew it was time to turn the page when Tinker Bell rang her little bell. There were only three books available at the time: Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs and Mary Poppins. So, my parents bought the other two in the series when they saw how excited and engaged I was with the first book.

Q: What was the most essential part of this project for you, the diversity, the overall message, or another? 

 

A: I wrote this story to show children how an idea can lead to another aspect of artistic expression. For a book to be created, somebody had an idea and wrote about it. The idea was submitted to a book publisher who in turn found an illustrator to illustrate the story. Once the book was published, it was distributed into bookstores and libraries and then promoted. And sometimes, books are made into movies. And also turned into rides at theme parks. The most important part about The Storytellers is that a story can reach so many people around the globe and touch them when they need them the most. Storytellers come from all walks of life from every corner of the globe – they start off as young children doing what they like best and then grow up to pursue their dreams. Their lives are weaved together. They are all storytellers, bringing something different to the same story.

 

Q: Where did the central theme of the dragon come from? 

A: That’s all thanks to Cressida Cowell’s How to Train Your Dragon book series. Plus, who doesn’t like dragons?! But to be honest, I’ve actually written a junior fiction story about a boy named Eric who goes on a quest to find a dragon. I thought this was the perfect backdrop for The Storytellers.

Q: What advice would you give your children readers who have self-doubts about achieving their storytelling dreams? 

A: Don’t be scared and don’t worry about making mistakes. Good things come from making mistakes. Surprises. When you make a mistake, you are creating something new. Something no one has ever seen before. There is only your story so make it count.

Q: Out of the characters in your The Storytellers book who do you relate to the most?

A: That’s a tough one. I like them all. Why? Because they’re all creators of their own destiny. When you create, you bring something special to the world that gives our lives meaning and happiness. And that’s exactly what the storytellers in the book are doing.

Q: What is or has been your favourite thing about your chosen career as a storyteller?

A: That’s easy – I get to share my stories with children. Help to inspire and enthuse them to read and write their own stories. And, along the way, make some fans!

 

Click here to get your copy of The Storytellers now!  

Click here to view The Storytellers book trailer!

Wonderful review of 'The Sky Dreamer' by Anne Morgan and Céline Eimann

We're delighted to see that The Sky Dreamer continues to be popular with education professionals.  With its themes of learning to cope with difficult life circumstances, it's a great story for any library, classroom, or child therapist's office.

This latest review comes from OZTL, the Australian Teacher Librarian Network.
The Sky Dreamer is also available in French, French-English bilingual, and German translated editions.

"This is a most sensitive, alluring book about a child dealing with death.  Written following the death of the author's daughter, it acknowledges that grief is a long journey which may be shared but which is travelled alone.  It can be stormy and seemingly endless but there is eventually acceptance and comfort and a way forward.
 
The beautiful, delicate pictures mirror the mood of the story perfectly - monochrome in Liam's dark days, and the introduction of colour when Cassie appears in the Sky Dreamer hints at a glimmer of hope and happiness.  The chaos and colour of the storms reflect Liam's thinking and feelings, but as they merge into gentler colours and less frenetic images the reader gets a sense of growing peace and calm.
 
Too often our students travel their own version of Luke's journey - this is a book that might help them navigate it more easily, showing them that whatever feelings they have are OK and that they are not alone.  That, in itself, might offer comfort."

- Barbara Braxton, Teacher Librarian, 500 Hats and The Bottom Shelf Educational Blog

The Sky Dreamer, beautifully illustrated by Céline Eimann

Come a-Waltzing with us this Australia Day!

As the country gears up for Australia Day and the long weekend, a new wonderful review has arrived for Christina's Matilda by Edel Wignell and Elizabeth Botté.

'With Australia Day almost upon us, what better opportunity to review this fascinating title by Edel Wignell focussing on the story behind the story of our unofficial anthem, ‘Waltzing Matilda’?  As Wignell asks, why is Paterson’s role in the creation of this song so well-known when that of Christina Macpherson is almost unknown, even though it is just as vital?   Wignell then tells us the story of Macpherson beginning with an encounter with bushranger Daniel ‘Mad’ Morgan at the family home of Peechelbar in Victoria, her childhood in a large wealthy Melbourne household, and her eventual meeting with A.B. ‘Banjo’ Paterson at the home of her brother on a station on the Diamantina River about 128km from Winton, Queensland. Evenings were a time for entertainment – Paterson sharing his poetry and Macpherson playing the piano, including a tune called “Craigielee” that she had heard at the Warrnambool Races some time before and which had stuck in her mind.  Paterson was well aware of the plight of many shearers displaced by the Great Shearers’ Strike in 1894 and the stories accompanying the hardships they endured, and it wasn’t long before he penned the words of  ‘Waltzing Matilda’ to fit the tune. Wignell then traces the story of the song through to its place in the Australian identity today, including the work of Richard Magoffin who relentlessly tracked the song’s origins, eventually being able to identify Christina’s contribution in 1983.

The story is accompanied by a variety of illustrations including paintings and drawings, maps, photos, posters and programs, letters and sheet music, each adding to the authenticity of the story and providing insight into the times that inspired the lyrics and the history of the song.  Perhaps the most interesting is a facsimile of an extract from a letter from Christina which explains how the song came to be. Each sepia page is bordered with exquisite line drawings by Elizabeth Botté which enrich and enhance the story. 

While it is written in a style and language accessible to a newly independent reader, its use of primary sources to support the text would be a great way to introduce the importance of these sorts of sources to support research and provide evidence, an integral element of the historical skills strands of the Australian History Curriculum for Year 7.   

This is a resource that needs to be on library shelves and a story that needs to be known by everyone old enough to sing the song!'

- Barbara Braxton, Librarian Teacher, M.Ed. (TL); M.App.Sci. (TL); M.I.S. (Children's Services)

And we couldn't agree more!

Add a lot more Australiana to your Australia Day with your very own copy of Christina's Matilda and come a waltzing with us!

Review of The Smallest Carbon Footprint in the Land

For teachers and librarians looking for books to address the sustainability theme in the National Curriculum, The Smallest Carbon Footprint is a collection of stories that certainly fits the bill!

A prince wants to marry the girl with the smallest carbon footprint in the land, and he has her diamond slipper to ensure he finds the right girl; Chicken Licken warns everyone that the sea is rising while Foxy Loxy tries to trick them; Cool Girl learns how to grow organic vegetables from the Sensational Seven…this is a collection of some traditional fairy tales each with a very modern twist designed to spread the sustainability, eco-friendly message.

This is an engaging way to introduce students to the sustainability cross-curriculum priority as embedded in the stories are new vocabulary and explanations for terms that even young students are encountering. They can build on their familiarity with Goldilocks, Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin, Little Red Riding Hood and so on and enjoy a 21^st century story that will make them think. Teachers will appreciate having a resource that helps them introduce complex concepts in a way that is enjoyable, makes sense and sets a great platform for discussion, as well as comparing the new with the old.

Not only does the collection make a good read-aloud inspiring discussion, but with short stories and intriguing monochrome illustrations it is a great stepping stone between picture book and novel for the newly-independent reader to read alone.

An unusual but worthwhile book to add to your collection.

Barbara Braxton

Teacher Librarian

M.Ed.(TL), M.App.Sci.(TL), M.I.S. (Children's Services)

COOMA NSW 2630

AUSTRALIA

barbara.288@bigpond.com

Together, we learn from each other

500 Hats http://500hats.edublogs.org

The Bottom Shelf http://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/

Review of Bringing Down the Wall

Just in, a terrific review of Bringing Down the Wall, sent in by Barbara Braxton...

Once, Joshua was very close to his grandfather but since his grandmother got really sick and died, he hasn’t seen him because his mother will not let him.  Joshua suspects it has something to do with his grandfather’s new wife, but eventually the tug of family overcomes him and he sets out on his own to visit him secretly. Timidly he approaches the house and knocks, and is greeted by Riva who tries to persuade him to ring his mum while they wait for Grandpa to come home with ice cream.  But Josh wants to see his grandpa first and when he arrives, they sit down and Grandpa tells him a story from his childhood about little boys not being able to make a difference.

But Joshua disagrees – he thinks they can and he thinks he is. 

That’s not the only lesson Joshua learns that day in a sensitive portrayal of a situation of a family’s rift that is all too common.  For not only does Joshua learn that just one person can take the step to healing, he also has his grandfather’s wisdom of knowing why the rift has occurred and there is understanding rather than blame. Sometimes time can heal, but sometimes it can create a gap too wide to cross. His may not be the only heart healed today.

The soft muted tones that Sona Babajanyan has used in the illustrations echo the poignancy of this story that explores topics that are common in our students’ lives but not necessarily written about in books. The ache between grandchild and grandparent and vice versa is tangible, and there’s always a piece of you missing when one is removed through divorce or death.  Too many years can be lost if there is no reconciliation and Joshua may prove inspirational to some. This is fiction mirroring real life. Sometimes all it takes is the courage to pick up the phone. Little people CAN make a difference, indeed.

Barbara Braxton

Teacher Librarian

M.Ed.(TL), M.App.Sci.(TL), M.I.S. (Children's Services)

COOMA NSW 2630

AUSTRALIA

barbara.288@bigpond.com

Together, we learn from each other

500 Hats http://500hats.edublogs.org

The Bottom Shelf http://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/

Review of No Matter Who We're With

No Matter Who We’re With

Robert Vescio

Cheri Scholten

IP Kidz, 2013

Hbk, RRP $A 26.00

Ebk RRP $8.00

9781922120212

This is a sensitive story about two children who are dealing with an issue that so many of our students do – their parents are separated and they spend time living at both houses.  Even though they do different things with each parent, like growing their own vegetables in mum’s splendiferous garden or helping dad make Spaghetti Bolognese, there’s a joy that shines through and the most important message that regardless of who they’re with they know they are loved and that will never change.

Cheri Scholten’s colourful illustrations are the perfect accompaniment as they manage to portray the fun and joy and love the children have, reaffirming and reassuring the young reader that even monumental events like your parents separating can be overcome.

So many children struggle with their parents’ separation, and often blame themselves.  They believe that if they had been better, then their parents would not have split. And then, on top of that guilt, comes the perceived difficulties of spending time with both parents which often leaves them confused and conflicted. The beauty of this book is that it demonstrates that they can have fun with both parents and celebrate the spontaneity and pleasures of childhood, making the most of what is rather than regretting what was or what should be.  It’s a book that needs to be in the library’s collection so that our young readers can read about other children just like them, which in itself, can be a powerful healer. It might even be the catalyst for getting a troubled child to write their own story about the good things they do with each parent and realise that they are loved by both and that won’t change, no matter what.

Barbara Braxton

Teacher Librarian

M.Ed.(TL), M.App.Sci.(TL), M.I.S. (Children's Services)

COOMA NSW 2630

AUSTRALIA

barbara.288@bigpond.com

Together, we learn from each other

500 Hats http://500hats.edublogs.org

The Bottom Shelf http://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/

Latest reviews of I Love You Book and Sawdust

This week we feature the latest reviews of our titles I Love You Book by Libby Hathorn and Heath McKenzie and Sawdust by Deborah Kay with Barry Levy.

I Love You Book is a charming picture book about the reasons why children (and adults!) love reading stories in books. It was inspired by a play that Hathorn's adult students in PNG put on to celebrate their excitement over learning to read for the first time. A great Christmas present for young children!

Sawdust is a moving memoir of child abuse that ends not with a broken victim but with a brave woman who has transcended her past and now urges us to protect future generations. It was launched by Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale for National Child Protection Week (October). A gift to make you think.

I Love You Book:

"The inspiration for this book could have been the sonnet by Elizabeth Barrett Browning which begins “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…” because it is an ode to the pleasures and delights of the book – its sights, sounds, smells and the remarkable places it encourages our imagination to visit and the amazing creatures we meet when we get there.

From the “rustle-bustle” of the pages to the “dots and commas, question marks Performing every page” to the “happily-ever-afters, packed-to-the-rafters”, this is an enthusiastic, energetic romp that reaffirms the joy that reading provides and why books are here to stay because they are the perfect format. On each page, illustrator Heath McKenzie has created fantastic artworks (hand-drawn using a digital tablet) which match the energy of the text and help us recall some of the most magic moments in our reading lives. And even if we haven’t yet met the centipede being rude or visited those lands at the top of the tree, it inspires us to find those books so we can.

We ask our students to express why they love books, not just as an exploration of the senses but also as a way of having them recommend books to others. Which books make you “dreamy and sometimes quiet and slow”, and which books make you want to “go, get up and go!”? Similarly, how do those “short-long words” make the story move, and what role do those dots and commas have?

If you’re planning to start 2014 off with a focus on reading and books and the pleasures the children are going to be in for as the year with you progresses, this is a must-have."
- Barbara Braxton, The Bottom Shelf, OZTLNet (Australian Teacher Librarian Network)

Sawdust:

"This book is an excellent read - such a tough and terrible subject told with such optimism and hope. It helped me to understand how a young child normalises this situation. Deborah Kay is an amazing woman and so brave to tell her story. Her own children should be very proud of her. Well done!"
- Judy White, reader