A delightful delve into the power of myths and super heroes to enrich storytelling. Lyndon Riggall explores the talents of R. A. Spratt in telling a good story!
I love a good myth. Whether it’s a retelling of The Odyssey by the likes of Emily Wilson and the upcoming film of Christopher Nolan that I can’t wait for, or Stephen Fry’s delightful compendiums Mythos, Heroes and Troy, I can’t get enough. There is something so soothing about diving back into the imaginations of the past, something that calls back to a time that we have almost forgotten and yet comforts us with a feeling that also connects us to now. We might like to pretend that the heroic figures of the Ancient Greeks and Romans are long in the past, but while we still read Batman comics and watch Marvel movies I don’t think they are ever really very far away.
Which is why I was delighted to pick up a copy of Epically Good Greek Myths by R. A. Spratt recently and encounter some of these wonderful stories all over again. Spratt is the Australian author of the Friday Barnes series, and when I was younger, I remember being particularly taken with her creation of Nanny Piggins. Going into this book without any kind of understanding of what I was in for, I was surprised to find that the chief narrator of the collection is Piggins herself, and even with the years in-between my first encounter with her and this one, I found that she had lost none of her charm, wit, intelligence, and enthusiasm for sweet treats that I still remembered. The stories are so accessible, and they smooth out some of the well-known rough edges that come with being first composed in a different time, but I also loved the self-insertion of Nanny Piggins’ own family history and her gender re-balancing. For those encountering these myths for the first time, the changes don’t dilute the stories in the slightest. For those returning, it’s all in good fun and charming to see how Spratt and Piggins subvert what we know and love. Myths, of course, are meant to grow with the time and the teller.
Following a trail of breadcrumbs to Spratt’s website, I also discovered that the same myths are shared in a podcast, Bedtime Storieswith R.A. Spratt, in which the author recites them along with so many other brilliant stories she has written. I have loved listening to these tales in the last couple of weeks… they are perfect for car rides and long waits and settling down of an evening—and all available for free! Spratt was also at the Theatre Royal in Hobart last year sharing Christmas stories, and I am very sorry that I missed it. She strikes me as a hidden gem of a storyteller, and perhaps everyone will tell me that it is only me who has been blind to her wit, warmth and shining enthusiasm all these intervening years, while everyone else has been snacking away on them in private, like a pig sneaking chocolate cake in the middle of the night. Still, if nothing else, I will shout how much I enjoyed this collection from the rooftops, and I hope that some others will read this and note that the secret is out.
If Spratt and these stories have passed you by in the thousands of years from the “Ancient Greek history days” to now, here are just a couple of ways to enjoy them. There’s a reason that they have lasted. Have a read or listen and find out why.
Lyndon Riggall
Lyndon Riggall is a writer, teacher, and co-president of the Tamar Valley Writers Festival. He has written the picture books Becoming Ellie and Tamar the Thief. You can find out more about him at www.lyndonriggall.com or on social media @lyndonriggall.
Can stories save the world? Dr Sarah Pye thinks they can!
This week’s blog introduces a series of literary non fiction texts focusing on endangered animals in South East Asia, the conservation work of Dr Wong and the many projects of the author, Dr Sarah Pye in sharing her knowledge and experiences with young readers and students in schools.
It was a humid 2012 day in Borneo. The hotel receptionist had just found out I was a freelance writer gathering fodder for a feature story about wildlife tourism. “You need to talk to Dr Wong,” she said, scribbling a phone number onto her notepad and handing me the phone.
Dr Wong invited me to visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, not yet open to the public. As I stood on the observation platform watching the world’s smallest bear swinging from a branch 50m in the air, I was hooked. “There are far fewer sun bears than orangutans,” Wong explained. “I have dedicated my life to saving the sun bear.”
Those five powerful words have shaped my last decade. Yes, I wrote the article, but I also wrote Wong’s biography (for adults) as a Doctor of Creative Arts degree, exploring how narratives can engage non-scientists in conservation. However, when Saving Sun Bearswas published in 2020, I realised my job had only just begun. I needed to reach the next generation.
Why are nonfiction conservation stories for children important?
Stories about iconic animals can evoke emotions like wonder, empathy and concern. They can foster a sense of environmental stewardship and inspire children to become change makers. So, back at the keyboard, I started writing middle-grade children’s books about Wong’s life. There are now six books in the Wildlife Wong series. Each one focuses on Wong’s adventures with a different species: sun bears, orangutans, pygmy elephants, bearded pigs, fig wasps and Sumatran rhinos, but they are innovative in their structure.
But what if kids don’t like reading?
As any teacher will tell you, children learn in different ways. To engage with differing preferences, I decided to include different touchpoints. Each Wildlife Wong books includes a nonfiction narrative (or story); informational text or cool animal facts; sketches and photographs which make it look like a field journal; and experiments which link back to the narrative and engage those reluctant readers. This innovative style led to them being shortlisted for an Australian Educational Publishing Award in 2022.
The next step was extending my reach by visiting schools, so I developed workshops around reading my stories and conducting the experiments. Most recently, I started incorporating the art of puppetry! I now visit schools together with my puppet sidekicks, Luna the sun bear and Pongo the orangutan. The response has been incredible. This August, for instance, we spent 12 full days in schools, directly interacting with over 1,200 students. With the help of technology, many of them even got to meet the real Wildlife Wong!
Tours to Borneo
I’m not done yet! I am excited to announce I have just launched a 10-day guided tour of Borneo for next August, during which Wong will take my guests on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre!
When he said, “Do what you do best”, Wong had no idea it would spawn a doctorate, seven books and a lasting friendship. So, I now ask you the same question: what can YOU do best to help our endangered animals?
Dr Sarah Pye is an award-winning biography and children’s author, an environmentalist and avid traveller.
Editor's note: Sarah and I connected online via a shared passion for animal conservation issues conveyed through story. It was a pleasure to read and review her latest book in the series - Wildlife Wong and the Sumatran Rhino. Read my review!
Cat Rabbit is a creative textile artist who has drawn on her plush toy creations to write and illustrate picture books for young children. Read on to discover the fine craft work and detailed planning that resulted in the most recent publication about a bear who struggled to make friends.
How to Make Friends: A Bear’s Guide is about a bear who has plenty of stuffed friends, but no real ones. The book follows her attempts to win friends by impressing them with her (non-existent) jogging skills, fancy outfits and cake. The book is illustrated with photographed scenes of my soft toy characters in a brightly coloured felt world. When making the book, I knew I really wanted to draw on my own experiences – both as a kid and as an adult – navigating friendships as an introverted person. I always preferred the quiet of the library or the art room to the football field or school socials; I always loved baking and sewing with my mum and sister and I had a sticker collection that I guarded with my life. The book is dedicated to my sister, who still to this day plays recorder with me (though lately it’s had to be mostly via FaceTime). So, we can safely say that I am Bear, and this is somewhat of an autobiography!
When I was making the characters, I wanted them to be simple, colourful and a little bit weird, giving them each a strong personality. I sew all of my characters by hand and without a pattern; I work in a sculptural way, adding and cutting as I go. I always use an armature in my soft characters, and in Bear, Koala and Lamb I made these armatures a little more complex to allow for lots of different movements and poses. I also made their clothes removable so they can wear different outfits.
Once I hand made the characters, I sketched out the storyboard. Because the photographs take quite a long time to get right, it’s good to have every element of the story locked in before launching into the shoot. The storyboard went back and forth between myself and my editor until we had the story plotted out to our liking. From there I made comprehensive lists of every single element I had to make for each scene and once I’d created everything, I set each scene and did a quick test shoot of the book.
I wanted this book to be bright and welcoming, with a bit of texture. I mostly used coloured cardboard with elements drawn on with crayon to give it a childlike feel; sort of like Bear was in a world of her own creation. The coloured backgrounds also reflect Bear’s mood: yellow when she’s happiest, baking and drawing; pink when she’s earnestly trying to make friends; purple when she’s feeling emotional.
I wanted the story to have lots of funny elements to provide comic relief to the emotional rollercoaster that is making friends – and that’s where Bear’s toys come in. I really fell in love with the idea of Bear, a toy, having toys herself. When I was small, I used to have quite a crew of toys (which I refused to call toys, instead preferring to call them ‘friends’). Bear’s stuffed friends provide a lot of the comic asides and also give Bear an audience for her feelings.
It was such an honour for How to Make Friends: A Bear’s Guide to be listed as a CBCA noteworthy book for 2022. I’m so glad the story resonated with children and adults alike – it’s even more wonderful when I hear that it has helped a small person navigate the tricky world of making friends!
Editor's note. Visit Cat Rabbit's website to see more of her wonderful creations and spend time exploring the exquisite art work in the book. Enjoy a reading of How to Make Friends: A Bear’s Guidevia Storybox Library.
A keen and dedicated fan of Book Week and the magic of dressing up, Loretta Brazendale is back as a wonderful Book Week Fairy with a costume thatcelebrates multiple books and with a puggish companion to accompany her.
This week’s blog has inspiration from my best friend’s son Liam. Liam absolutely loves books. When I was last visiting them, Liam and I read many books and we spoke about what we were going to dress up as for Book Week. When I was designing my Book Week Fairy Costume I thought of Liam and some of the books that we had read together to put on my dress. I know Liam really wanted me to dress as The Wonky Donkey however I made sure the The Wonky Donkey book featured on my dress, along with Pig the Pug, Liam’s other favourite book which we have read many times.
Pig the Pug is a favourite book amongst the children and so funny and cute. Aaron Blabey writes books children like, but grownups don’t mind reading, too. Such a sense of humour combined with character. Pig the Pug has many fun stories to tell, and I thought I would share my thoughts on the amazing “Pig the Pug” stories.
Also, a big happy birthday to Liam today and I hope you enjoy the blog Liam that you inspired me to write.
Pig the Pug – Scholastic, 2016
Pig is a rude pug who doesn't want to share his toys with another dog (that does kind of remind me of my dog Tilly). The whole story has a wonderful rhythm, and the amazing illustrations are playful and silly. I love Pig's attitude, facial expressions, and dialogue, and the lesson he eventually learns about sharing with friends. A great story to read out loud to children as you are guaranteed loud laughter.
Pig the Stinker aka Pig the Grub – Scholastic, 2019/2018
This book is so true to life that dogs don’t like to get baths. My dogs act exactly like Pig, so I get it. He ends up causing the bathroom to explode!! After that he has no problem taking baths but still finds a way to be foul! The rhymes are spot on, the story is funny, and the illustrations on point. A story to make anyone laugh that should be on all our shelves at home especially if you are a dog lover.
Pig the Star – Scholastic, 2017
Pig thinks he's hot stuff. He doesn't treat his friend, Trevor, very well, either. On a photo shoot, Pig is always hogging the shots, sometimes bumping or pushing or shoving Trevor out of the picture. Pig’s friend Trevor is a dachshund. Pig is mean to Trevor, calling him "Salami" and a "sausage-shaped pest". But, one day, the photographer notices how cute Trevor is. Soon, Trevor is the star. I do feel sorry for Trevor the dachshund with the name calling but my friend does have a dachshund named “Kransky” (not sure how Trevor would feel about this) Pig finally learns a lesson about stardom and jealousy and treating your friends right.
Pig the Winner – Scholastic, 2018
Pig the pug is at it again finding ways to irritate his friend, Trevor. In this picture book, Pig is outrageously competitive. Pig challenges Trevor in who can eat the fastest. Pig chokes on his bowl and it's Trevor to the rescue! After this incident, Pig learns to play a little more fairly. Parents will love this book as it’s a great way to teach children that not everything in life is a race and to always treat one another with kindness and fairness. The rhyme of the book is very engaging. I would definitely recommend this book.
Pig the Elf – Scholastic, 2016
I just love Christmas for the decorations, the spirit and joy. But Pig, he loves Christmas because of the presents, presents, and presents. His list this year is extra-long and Pig doesn't want to go to sleep so Santa can come. He wants his presents now so decides to stay up all night.
As a greedy pug, Pig isn't happy with the number of gifts he's given and is mad at Santa. I have a feeling Pig will be on the naughty list next year. Pig is the perfect example of how you shouldn't act on Christmas. The illustrations are just beautiful, and the story is hilarious.
Loretta Brazendale
Information Services Coordinator Burnie Library | Libraries Tasmania
With National Threatened Species Day falling on the 7 September, this week’s post presentsfiction written expressly to capture young readers’ attention and build awareness, interest and active concern in our native animals and the myriad of threats they are facing. It is confronting to come to terms with how many native species in Tasmania are threatened through the impact of humankind on the landscape but heartening to see the work of children’s authors and illustrators to champion our natural world – on land and sea - and those who live within.
Fittingly, and poignantly, Threatened Species Day was declared in 1996 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the death of the last remaining thylacine (Tasmanian tiger). The tragic fate of this misunderstood and much maligned animal has featured in a number of picture books, the most recent, the stunning and heartbreaking One Careless Night by Tasmanian author and illustrator Christina Booth. This hauntingly illustrated book follows the last thylacine on its journey through stunning wilderness landscapes to its final destination in captivity. Visit Christina’s website for more about the book, teacher notes and a useful pictorial for children on how to draw a thylacine.
An earlier work, also by Christina Booth, Purinina: A Devil’s Taleis seen through the eyes of a young female Tassie devil, from infancy, suckling in her mother's pouch, to adolescence and playing with her brothers. The prolonged absence of her mother and then her return with the facial tumour disease marks a turning point for Purinina, and the species, as she grows up alone to then participate herself in the cycle of life, and death. This is a beautifully told story with stunning illustrations where colour changes and shifts to set the tone and mood of the events. The text is accompanied by notes about the life and habitat of this often misunderstood Australian animal and the threats it faces. The author’s website includes a link to an article about the use of aboriginal language – also endangered - to explain the name -Purinina.
For a longer read aimed at independent 7 to 12 year old readers, Queenslander, Samantha Wheeler has expanded her series on Australian endangered animals with the recent release of Devils in Danger set in Dodges Ferry in southern Tasmania. 11 year old Killarney is initially scared, then intrigued by the aggressive screaming coming from under the family’s old weatherboard house. On discovering that a female Tasmanian devil has moved in, and with the help of a visiting scientist, Killarney takes on the responsibility of protecting the devil through the gestation of her two imps, the joy of watching them grow and play and the heartbreaks when Fern falls victim to the facial tumour disease. Tasked with turning around community distrust and antagonism towards this unappreciated native animal, Wheeler takes the reader on a journey of discovery weaving factual information effortlessly into the story line with a strong focus on affirmative action to help native animals and protect them against the dangers that human habitation poses. The concluding extracts from Killarney’s journal adds to the scientific knowledge collected incidentally throughout the story. Access teacher notes and Samantha Wheeler as she reads the first pages.
Tasmanian illustrator Coral Tulloch has built a respected reputation of her accurate and realistic illustrations. Her close affinity with the natural world permeates her work and is effectively capture in her portrayal in Bouncing Back: An Eastern Barred Bandicoot Story. Listed as vulnerable in Tasmania, on the eastern seaboard of Australia the small and inquisitive creature is under extreme threat due to habitat loss, predators and human development. Discover more about Coral’s work with children and interest in wildlife in this post and on the CSIRO website.
A notable book for CBCA 2021 Eve Pownall Award and shortlisted for the Environment Award for Children’s Literature: Nonfiction, the creative and scientific efforts of Gina M Newton and Rachel Tribout (residing part time in Tasmaniaand inspired by the beauty that surrounds her) put the spotlight on the spotted handfish and its relatives. Hold on!: Saving the Spotted Handfish is an engaging factual account of this fascinating bottom feeder that ‘walks’ on the ocean floor and that has been around since the dinosaurs. However, the impact of invasive species, pollution and climate change has sadly resulted in this little known fish being listed as critically endangered. Newton and Tribout’s representation of the handfish speaks to young readers with detailed and fascinating information presented in an accessible and expressively illustrated format. The book also includes important information about the status of this and other handfish with suggestions for positive action to help preserve this allusive creature. There is further information available on CSIRO's website. Read more about Rachel’s work and inspiration for this and other projects on her post: Drawing on the Landscape.
Exploring our seascape further, the collaboration of Anne Morgan and Lois Bury on The Way of the Weedy Seadragontransports the reader to an underwater world and the fascinating life cycle of seadragons and the marine environment they inhabit. Through carefully composed text and delicate and intricate illustrations readers will learn about this amazing underwater fish, its ability to camouflage itself in its weedy world, eating habits, the unique courtship dance and the male seadragon's role and responsibility to fertilise and nurture the eggs to hatching. The last pages present a full page diagram of the seadragon and then information about other species, threats to its survival and suggestions for positive action to protect the marine environment they rely on. Further information about the book and teacher notes are available on the CSIRO website.
In an interview posted by her publisher CSIRO (2021, April 16, section 5), Anne talks about her inspiration and says “I want children to care about seadragons and the delicate, complex web of life that exists in the sea. The information at the back of The Way of the Weedy Seadragon explains that climate change is warming the oceans and making them more acidic. Kelp forests are an important part of the Weedy seadragons’ habitat, but the kelp is rapidly disappearing due to climate change. I hope that the more children know about the sea, its marvellous creatures and their habitats, the more they will be inspired to protect the sea’s natural environments into the future.”
Anne’s message is indicative of the desire of many children’s book creators to harness their medium to connect young readers to the world around them in a personal way so that they grow up to be come responsible and caring global citizens striving to build a safer place for all creatures to live, and survive in. I applaud the power of literature to change the world!
If you can add another title focusing on Tasmanian wildlife under threat please comment and share.
