Today, I'm excited to catch-up with Georgie Donaghey to discuss, in more detail, the reasoning behind her new picture book In the Shadow of an Elephant, beautifully illustrated Sandra Severgnini and published by Little Pink Dog Books.

After losing my mother a couple of years ago to Lewey Body Dementia and Cancer, I wanted to write about death.  Rather than focus on death more a celebration of life.


While researching, I came across the beautiful Lualeni. Her story inspired me.


In the Shadow of an Elephant is a gentle story about sorrow and determination. Of friendship between boy and elephant set on the African Savanna. Through life’s challenges, they will embrace the joys of dancing in the shadow of an elephant.​


One terrible night the ground rumbled, dark shapes appeared in the distance. A cracking sound tore through the air, Lualani’s life was changed forever.

In the Shadow of an Elephant is a gentle story about sorrow and determination. Of friendship between boy and elephant set on the African Savanna. Through life’s challenges, they will embrace the joys of dancing in the shadow of an elephant.

Within 24 hours of submitting my manuscript to a publisher, it had been accepted. To further celebrate this story’s success, the book sold out before going to print. In the Shadow of an Elephant will be released in April at the Creative Kids Tales Writers’ Festival.
 

I felt an immediate connection with Lualeni. My excitement grew with the discovery of her first calf. Born in 2018 the young one had been named Lulu. My first book released in 2016 was called Lulu.
 

Now a proud foster parent of Lualeni through the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, I hope In the Shadow of an Elephant might help raise awareness about poaching with the Australian reading public.


A must-read for any book lover.


Georgie Donaghey is a published author, editor, mentor, radio host and founder of Creative Kids Tales. Her picture books include Lulu, released by Wombat Books, Clover’s Big Ideas, published by Little Pink Dog Books, and In the Shadow of an Elephant, due for release in 2019. Besides publication in the Heat Anthology (for adults) she is also the publisher of The Creative Kids Tales Short Story Collection Vol 1 & 2.  Her stories feature on Kinderling Kids Radio. Lulu can also be enjoyed by young travellers through both the Virgin and Qantas inflight entertainment channels.  You can learn more about me here www.georgiedonaghey.com.au


This is the second book Sandra has illustrated for Little Pink Dog Books, the first
being the delightful Where’s Lucky?

More of Sandra’s work can be viewed on her website www.severgnini.com.au


Thank you Georgie for visiting and for sharing your story with the world.

​
ISBN: 978-0-6482563-1-1
Publication date: 1st April 2019
Genre: Children’s
Specification: Hardcover, 238mm * 238mm, 32 pages 
RRP: $24.95
Target Age Range: 4-10 years
Available: Direct through http://www.LittlePinkDogBooks.com/

Finally! I have art hanging on my wall, on an easel and on my desk. Ahhhh!

These amazing images are from recent and upcoming picture books out this year:

1. Framed internal print from 'Under The Same Sky' with Nicky Johnston - Author and Illustrator and New Frontier Publishing

2. Canvas book cover print of 'Window of Hope' with Demelsa Haughton Illustrationand Little Pink Dog Books 

3. A table framed print from The Box Cars with Cara King and EK Books.

Numerous photos taken at different angles to avoid the glare. These are the best of the bunch.

More prints to come.

​Can't wait to share these beautiful picture books with the world. :-)

Some highlights from The Box Cars book launch at The Children's Bookshop.

Thank you to Cara King who flew up from Melbourne with her husband, Peter, to be here. It was great to finally meet her in person. Such lovely people.

A Super-duper thanks to Paul and Beth for hosting such a wonderful launch. We are truly blessed to have them as part of our writing community. They do so much in supporting Aussie authors and I cannot thank them both enough for the amazing work they do for us. Without you there would be no us.

A HUGE thanks to everyone who came along: authors, librarians, family and friends. I really appreciate your continued support. It means the world to me.

And last, but not least, to my two beautiful children who are a constant source of inspiration and laughter to me. I hope that through this journey you will be inspired as well. xx

​Enjoy the photos!

A timeless Aussie tale celebrating the friendship between Bob the bushie and his best buddy, Bruno the blue dog.​

Barefoot Bob and Bruno live together in a broken down barracks surrounded by the beautiful Aussie bush. Although they don’t have much in the bank, they are the best of buddies and life is bonzer. Then one day Bob hits the bonanza and everything changes. Without a backward glance, Bob and Bruno move to the big smoke. But is this fancy new life better than the one they had in the bush?

An alliterative, humorous tale which celebrates mateship and introduces young readers to the quintessential language of the Australian bush.

1. Please tell us about Bruno, the Boisterous Blue Dog from the Bush.

The picture book follows the antics of Bruno, a boisterous blue dog of indeterminate heritage and his best buddy, Bob the bushie. They live a simple life in the beautiful Aussie bush and life is bonzer! Then one day Bob hits the bonanza and the two friends move to the big smoke. But is this fancy new life better than the one they had in the bush? And how much trouble can a boisterous blue dog cause in the big city?
 
2. What inspired you to write this book?

I wanted to write a picture book which celebrated the language, landscape, people and animals of our wonderful Aussie bush.  With a main character called Bruno Bright the blue dog, it was a natural progression to use alliteration throughout the story. Bruno is based loosely on various rescue dogs my Dad owned.
         
3. We know how important it is for children to have stories read aloud to them. How do you see Bruno, the Boisterous Blue Dog from the Bush contributing to this cause?

​With its clever use of alliteration, Bruno is a perfect read aloud text to share with children of all ages. It would also make an excellent text to use in early childhood settings and classrooms, introducing young readers and writers to the rich, inventive language of the Australian bush. 
​

4. How did you feel when you saw John Phillips’ illustrations for the book?

I love John’s illustrations, which really compliment the words. My drawing skills are non-existent, so I am in awe of artists and illustrators. 
 
5. How did you break into publishing?

My first published paid writing was way back in 2001. It was an article on vegetarianism, for a health and wellbeing magazine. I was so excited when the cheque arrived I briefly contemplated framing it. Greed won out and the cheque was duly deposited into the bank. In 2005 my first published book (D.O.G.) was released through Macmillan Education. Since then I have had seven books trade published, the majority for children or Young Adult.
 
6. Where is your favourite place to write?

Most definitely in my study, with Jack the dog snoozing beside me. The window has a lovely view of the sparkling blue ocean and Fraser Island, so I am very lucky. 
           
7. Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?

I clearly remember my mother reading The Little Match Girl (Hans Christian Andersen) to me. Although I was very young, the poignancy of the young girl dying alone in the snow and callous behaviour of the adults have never left me. Such a simple, yet powerful story. 

8. What’s on the horizon for you next?

Like many other writers, I have a number of stories I am working on, ranging from a couple of picture book texts, a memoir and my first attempt at a verse novel. 
 
 
Thank you very much, Robyn.
 
​
Find out more about Robyn and her books here: www.robynosborne.com

Purchase the book at Big Sky Publishing here: www.bigskypublishing.com.au/books/bruno-pb

Excited to reveal the cover of an upcoming picture book out 2019 with the very talented Demelsa Haughton and published by Little Pink Dog Books. Can't wait to share this book with you! :-)

Recently, I had the privilege of being interviewed by the very talented Michelle Worthington on her Sharing Your Story wesbite :-) Follow the link to read the interview: ​sharingyourstory.com.au/robertvescio/?fbclid=IwAR2QmtlL5CMqnU0o_c_-PZX9a5FY6tTegGZ4KQU5_qw5SEZGQaGv4Et6yEs

Cover Reveal. So excited to share the cover of my next picture book out February 2019 with Cara King, and EK Books. Woohoo! :-) Anouska Jones - Writer
​
The Box Cars is a fun-filled story of friendship, sharing and creative problem-solving that will appeal to boys and girls everywhere! Pre-order your copy: https://ekbooks.org/product/the-box-cars/

Happy Publication Day for my new picture book Bigger Than Yesterday, Smaller Than Tomorrow with Kathy Creamer and Little Pink Dog Books ​