4
The Eastbourne Herald, 18 November 2016
Local authors strike a chord with young readers by Jacob West Magic, mayhem and a little bit of mischief have hit bookstores around the country with the recent release of two children’s books by local authors. The Sam & Lucy Fables written by Alan Bagnall and illustrated by Sarah Wilkins, and Snails, Spells & Snazzlepops written by Robyn Cooper were both released within a few days of each other in October, and are already proving to be a hit amongst readers, young and old. Alan is one of the country’s most recognisable talents regarding children’s fiction and poetry in New Zealand. He and Sarah, who has lived and worked in Wellington, Melbourne and Paris, have been working with each other for a number of years now – their first book, The Immigrants, won the 2003 LIANZA Russell Clark Award. Eastbourne publisher Mary McCallum from The book shares the adventures of two very wise pigs, Sam and Lucy, who seem to come Mākaro Press says Robyn’s story reminds her of across their human friends who find themselves Roald Dahl’s works, with its deft mix of humour in often peculiar and precarious predicaments. and warmth, realism and the magical. It is a collection of quirky tales, each one just a couple of pages long, that are accompanied with beautiful and timeless illustrations that portray children observing how the world works. The book is aimed for children aged 5-9 years old, but Alan says people aged 5-99 will enjoy it. Award-winning author and illustrator Gavin Bishop says, “The stories are light on their feet, airy and witty, and aimed without guile or pretence at children. “The illustrations dance perfectly in time with these little fables – this is a charming book.” For Days Bay resident Robyn Cooper, the foray into children’s literature was a new adventure. She has previously published a memoir, short stories and poetry, and has been short listed for the Joy Cowley Award and Jack Lasenby Award. Snails, Spells & Snazzlepops is a quirky story about a young boy named Charlie who decides to take the family finances into his own hands by attempting a career in cooking weird things like frog legs and snails. The book is aimed for readers aged around 8-11, but again – it’s one that readers of any age will find entertaining.
CHRIS BISHOP
NATIONAL LIST MP BASED IN HUTT SOUTH Eastbourne Catch up With Chris: 11:30am - 12:30pm, Thursday 24 November Instincts Cafe - Eastbourne Shops. Contact My Offices: Central Hutt: 04 566 8580 Wainuiomata: 04 564 8707 E: chrisbishopoffice@parliament.govt.nz Authorised by Chris Bishop, 66 Bloomfield Tce, Lower Hutt.
www.national.org.nz
Reviewer Bob Docherty says, “It combines the silliness that Paul Jennings and Andy Griffiths brought to junior fiction and combines it with some fantasy and real life issues, like adjusting to your mother’s boyfriend and bullying.”