Where does the inspiration to be a writer come from?
Often, it begins with the books we read and love.
Recently, Better Reading Kids asked six children’s authors – some with long careers behind them, others just starting out – about the books they remember from their childhoods. There are plenty of classics in their lists, but also a few surprises – Tim Winton, the Ahlbergs, The Rabbits’ Wedding, and Socrates!
Jackie French was the Australian National Children’s Laureate for 2014 and 2015. She is also an historian, ecologist, dyslexic, and a passionate advocate for literacy. Her writing career spans 25 years – Hitler’s Daughter spent a decade on most of Australia’s kids’ choice award shortlists; Diary of a Wombat is one of Australia’s best-loved picture books, and an international bestseller.
“I read everything, including the phone books. At seven, my favourite books were The Famous Five, Jane Eyre, Brave New World and The Great Dialogues of Socrates. I had a crush on Socrates. And the Bible, as that was the only book I was allowed to read in the boring bits at church.
Read Better Reading’s full interview with Jackie French here.
Sophie Hardcastle is an exciting young writer from Sydney. After writing her first (unpublished) novel at fifteen, Sophie was misdiagnosed with major depression the following year. She was admitted to hospital four times over the next two years. Her first book Running Like China is a young-adult memoir of her mental illness. She’s now working on a novel to be published by a major publishing house.
Read Better Reading’s full interview with Sophie Hardcastle here.
Nikki Gemmell is the author of seven novels and four works of non-fiction for adults, and a regular columnist for The Weekend Australian’s ‘Saturday’ magazine. She also writes for children under the name of N.J. Gemmell: The Kensington Reptilarium trilogy and Coco Banjo series are hugely popular.
“I loved the Silver Brumby and Jill’s Gymkhana series because I was horse-crazy. Gulped Anne of Green Gables and the Little House books (loved a good series).
Read Better Reading’s full interview with Nikki Gemmell here.
“I read everything I could get my hands on as a child and whole worlds were built in the wonderland of my imagination thanks to each and every story. Those characters and places still reside there and they happily coexist with the characters and worlds of my own books.
Read Better Reading’s full interview with Caleb Krisp here.
Judith Rossell is a writer and illustrator who has worked on dozens of children’s books including Withering-by-Sea, an Honour Book in this year’s CBCA Awards.
She says: “I grew up in the 70s, and read a lot of Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl. I particularly loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I also loved The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Read Better Reading’s full interview with Judith Rossell here.
Yasmeen Ismail is a former animator and now talented children’s book creator. Her most recent picture book is I’m a Girl.
“I don’t remember many books that I had. I loved Burglar Bill by Janet and Allen Ahlberg. I would look at it a lot. It’s a very enjoyable story and beautifully illustrated.
Read Better Reading’s full interview with Yasmeen Ismail here.
What books are special to you from your childhood? Please tell us in comments.
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Abel Jackson’s life is intimately entwined with the environment in which he lives. Throughout his childhood, Abel and his mother Dora have depended on Longboat Bay for all that they need. The waters and land of the Bay both sustain and enrich their lives. Despite this idyllic image they lead a hard, basic life.
Everything in Burglar Bill's life is stolen, from the toast, marmalade and coffee he has for breakfast to the bed he sleeps in.
A favourite aunt ordered “Seven Little Australians” for me, through a bookstore in Sydney. I lived in country NSW in the 50’s/60’s, reading anything that wasn’t nailed down, and this seemed such an excitingly grown-up way of obtaining my literary treat. I’ve loved the book ever since, and can still quote (spoiler alert) Judy’s death-bed scene.
i loved enid blyton, especially the faraway tree, the wishing chair & the naughtiest girl in the school series.
I loved Enid Blyton, particularly the Wishing Chair series, also Judy Blume and John Marsden. I also read as much as I could get my hands on and I didn’t mind ‘Choose your own Adventure’ books as well.