Being the
smallest in the paddock isn’t easy. Clover is always being teased. When three
naughty lambs go too far, Clover and her big ideas step in. Discover how Clover
shows being little makes her more determined and clever than they could ever
imagine.
How
did the idea for Clover’s BIG Ideas come about?
Clover’s BIG Ideas will speak to all who have
endured teasing at some time in their life. I wanted to share that it doesn’t
matter how we look on the outside, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.
Clover showed through her passion, determination, courage and of course her BIG
ideas, that by standing up to those naughty little lambs she is powerful.
Who
is your target audience for this book?
This book is suited for 3-7-year-olds. I find of
the different age groups I share this story with, each takes away something
different. The younger kids want Angus to crush the bullies and the older kids
like the antics of the three naughty sheep. No matter what the age, they can
all relate to Clover. It’s great to be able to share the subtle message of how
the words we choose to use on a daily basis can either hurt or heal.
The audiences also love Emma’s illustrations. I am
so happy with the added level Emma has brought to this story. Her illustrations
are simply divine and tell a story of their own. The classic style will definitely resonate
with lovers of picture books past.
This book hit many firsts for me. The partnering
with Emma Middleton, my first publication with Little Pink Dog Books and the
wonderful friendship I now have with editor, Emma Cameron.
In my goody bag from a NSW Writers’ Centre Kids and
YA Festival a few years ago was a voucher. It was for a kick start mentorship.
I sent Clover off to be assessed and the assessor, Emma Cameron loved it! She
helped me develop the story and the rest is history.
I loved the whole process of bringing this story to
publication. Although towards the end it was both exciting and bittersweet as
Emma M and I knew we were getting closer to having our book baby published, but
we also knew it would be the end of our partnership for this project.
Peter and Kathy Creamer were dream publishers to
work with. They allowed Emma and I to just run with our ideas and were very
supportive of every step.
What
does Clover’s BIG Ideas offer the reader that differs from others covering
similar subjects?
Clover’s BIG Ideas invites the reader into a world
of gentle story-telling and demonstrates that looks are not always what they
seem. Clover’s BIG Ideas celebrates friendship and instils the importance of
understanding and acceptance.
Georgie founded Creative
Kids Tales in 2011. Now an industry recognised site, CKT has become a
valuable resource for Australian emerging children’s authors.
In 2013, she stretched her creative wings and The Author's Shelf hit the
airwaves on 2SSR. After a year of chatting with authors like Captain
Underpants author; Dav Pilkey, Jackie
French, McLeod’s Daughters creator;
Posie Graeme-Evans, Andy Griffiths, Susanne Gervay, Kate Forsyth, Belinda
Murrell and other extraordinarily talented authors, she decided to put The
Author’s Shelf ‘on the shelf’ and focus on her own writing. It paid off.
By 2014,
her dreams of becoming a published author became a reality; she signed her first
contract. In 2015, her first picture book was published with Dragon Tales
Publishing. In 2016 she signed her second contract with Little Pink Dog
Books for Clover’s BIG Ideas, illustrated
by Emma Middleton. Lulu was
also re-released this year through Wombat Books. She's also re-signed with Little Pink
Dog Books to publish her next title, In the Shadow of an Elephant due out in
2018.
You can visit Georgie at: georgiedonaghey.com.au
