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Monday 16 October 2017

Guest Post: Georgie Donaghey on Clover's BIG Ideas

We are delighted to have Georgie Donaghey, author of Clover's BIG Ideas, visit KBR today. Join us as she reveals more about this cuter than cute little lamb.
 
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. 

What aspects did you find challenging about this book?
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