While dressed as a knight, I once hit a New Zealand Member of Parliament with a rubber chicken then ran away. I think it was the Minister of Education.
2. What is your nickname?
I’m afraid I never had one!
3. What is your greatest fear?
Zombie dinosaurs.
4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
I like to rhyme, rhyme all the time. It’s sublime!
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Quirky, funny, happy, bold, bouncy.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
I would be Max, so that I could be king of the Wild Things, and gnash my terrible teeth, and roll my terrible eyes.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I’d go into the future – maybe 2112 – to see what advances have been made. Why – because I’m curious!
8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?
Probably nothing. She was very shy!
9. Who is your greatest influence?
Dr Seuss. He taught me that books don’t need to have a message (although The Lorax does) – but books like Fox in Socks are just about having fun with language and rhythm.
10. What/who made you start writing?
I had a snowy Christmas in Canada in 2001. I was homesick and it made me think about the differences between a Northern hemisphere Christmas and Christmas Down Under. I adapted a famous American poem – A Visit from St Nicholas – to reflect a Southern hemisphere Christmas, and this became my first picture book.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
I like onomatopoeic words – words that sound like their meanings. I don’t have a favourite, but crunch, sizzle and murmur are all good.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Oh, I can’t answer that! I can’t imagine not having access to lots of books. If I had to choose one, I guess it would have to be something long and complicated – maybe a science textbook, so I could become an expert on the topic by reading about it over and over.
Yvonne Morrison is the author of numerous books for children including An Aussie Night Before Christmas, The Cocky who cried Dingo and Town Possum, Outback Possum. Visit Yvonne's website or Facebook page for the latest information on her books and events.
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