When I first started work on Australia Illustrated, I had no idea how many adorable kids would slip from the end of my paintbrush. Dozens upon dozens upon dozens emerged, and along the way, it was such a great pleasure to meet them.
Occasionally, I knew who the kids were. Above, you'll meet my AFL-loving son Riley, left, and on the right is my horse-loving daughter Ella ... with a friend.
Here are the granddaughters of my librarian friend Sue:
*Please note that this is wishful thinking.
But there are many, many characters who romp through the pages of this book whom, I'm sad to say, I don't know that well--and don't even know their name.
SO, NOW IS YOUR CHANCE TO NAME THEM!
Below you'll discover 5 of my characters. Each one needs a name, and perhaps, they might even need a little backstory.
All you need do is leave a comment below stating:
- the accompanying letter (A through E)
- the name you've chosen
- a little bit about them. Maybe where they live, what their likes and dislikes are. What they want to be when they grow up? It's up to you!
I'll also need you to tell me who named this character, along with their first name, age and city. For example...
- Amy, age 9, Sydney
- James, age 11, Dunedin
- Kellie, age none-of-your-beeswax, Cairns
- you don't need to be a kid to enter!
Alternatively, especially if you struggle to leave a comment below, you can email your response to me right here.
And yes, you can name more than one--just be sure to indicate which one you're naming each time (A through E).
YOU HAVE UNTIL MIDNIGHT MONDAY 31 OCTOBER, Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time.
I will decide which names resonate most with each character, and will introduce each one right here on my blog on 1 November. I'll also introduce the characters to my guests at my actual book launch party on Saturday 5 November at Harry Hartog Bookstore, Canberra!
I can't wait to see what you come up with!
Click the poster below to go to my Virtual Launch
homepage and follow along all posts!
Follow along on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with hashtag
#ausillo
10 comments:
I know I'm not one of the kids (except at heart), but I just had to offer up a name for your first little fella (A) who practically told me his name is Barney, the second I saw him. Apparently he's grown up living in a little weatherboard cottage across the road from the beach, and there are always surfboards leaning against the garage and towels draped over the balcony. As well as enjoying playing in the surf, he just loves going beach-combing to find tiny treasures to line up on his windowsill, but the little starfish in his hand is a rescue and he is about to put her back in the ocean where he knows she belongs... the story goes on... from Cate, over the hill and far away, out bush :-)
Not a kid either but C just screams to me of being a Marlee Rose aka The Divine Miss M. With her wild hair, 'school uniform' and innocent look she is the epitome of someone I know who looks like every mother's dream child but is really the trigger behind all the mischief that happens in the house. She could be a book on her own!
A: Shane Is a beach loving little dude who is fascinated with nature. He lives in Dunsborough W.A. He wants to be an explorer when he grows up, where he can work outdoors in the sunshine and breath the fresh air of the South West.
Character D is Patrick by night (always from 7pm sharp), and Captain Rad Pants by day. He and his ever faithful comrade, Teddy Pants, are known West Australia wide for their extremely quick costume changes, exhilarating moves honed during hours spent on the trampoline, bucket filling acts of kindness and general radness. Patrick aspires to always be a boy super hero - he's not fond of the idea of growing up, and believes his best work can be done from the comfort of his home with his Mummy and Daddy - Jess, age 34, Madeley.
Character E is Audrey, known affectionately as Auds. She is a super hero in training after being inspired by her own hero, her big brother, Captain Rad Pants. She is often found around West Australia looking upwards, arms outstretched, as if already in flight. She knows the sky's the limit for a magical little lady such as herself, and she fervently believes in filling the world's bucket one gappy smile at a time - Jess, age 34, Madeley.
From Leonie in Sydney:
A = Felix as most beach boys have dreamy names to match their dreamy nature. Can be found surfing all weekend and begrudgingly at school for the other 5 days. Once the final school bell rings though he is off home to grab the board and hit the beach with his mates. Homework comes later.
B = Cilla as anyone with funky hair like that needs a funky name to match. She has the makings of a hippy artist in her future life. She loves being different!
C = Carla as she is so sweet natured that she is always heping others. She's the ultimate goody two shoes but a true and loyal friend. She is learning to crochet ... just because she can.
D = Darren aka Daring Darren who despite his superhero appearance is really an accident waiting to happen as he is prone to clumsiness. He has been known to fall out of bed whilst saving people in his dreams.
E = Evie who loves ice creams in all the colours of the rainbow, picking pink flowers from the neighbourhood gardens and singing loudly at the most inappropriate times ... even at school assembly. But everyone forgives her as she is a real cutey.
From Brook, age top-secret, from Melbourne
A is Finn. He lives in Inverloch with his Mum and Dad who are very cool hippies. They take turns teaching him to surf and going for long walks along the beach with their dogs Red and Blue. Finn collects all sorts of things at the beach and takes them home to make cool mobiles to hang in the trees. He's four.
C is Mabel. She is quite a shy girl but reading books make her feel alive on the inside. One day she wants to write her own books and being the quiet type means she is a great observer of all the people she meets - she calls them her characters. She keeps a secret journal where she writes down all her ideas and observations.
Jodie - kidlike. B is Taula May. She is raw energy, bursting with love and light from first light till lights out. Always on the move she is rhythm and song like nobody's business. Even in the bath she sings.
Hi Tania Not sure if my previous entry went through so will try it again
B for Benita. Benita loves to dance and wear pretty frilly dresses. She hates wearing jeans because it makes her feel like a boy and boys have boy germs. When Benita grows up she wants to be a disco dancer and her ultimate aim is to dance for the Queen.
C is for Carmilla. Carmilla loves to read and every week she visits the library and borrows as many books as she can. For her birthday she always requests more books. When she grows up she wants to be a Librarian and a Children's author and write and illustrate great books like Tania
Hi Tania Not sure if my previous entry went through so will try it again
B for Benita. Benita loves to dance and wear pretty frilly dresses. She hates wearing jeans because it makes her feel like a boy and boys have boy germs. When Benita grows up she wants to be a disco dancer and her ultimate aim is to dance for the Queen.
C is for Carmilla. Carmilla loves to read and every week she visits the library and borrows as many books as she can. For her birthday she always requests more books. When she grows up she wants to be a Librarian and a Children's author and write and illustrate great books like Tania
A. Is Jack. Jack lives in Mt Eliza near the beach and he just loves playing in the water. He hates wearing shoes but loves running barefooted in the sand annoying the seagulls. He loves screaming in the wind and building sandcastles with a moat so that the water can flow all around it. He hates going to bed and the only way to get him to go to sleep is to read and read and read stories to him until he blissfully floats off to dreamland.
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