Guest Post: Maura Pierlot on The Problem of Plenty with Maura Pierlot

International award-winning children's book author, playwright and filmmaker, Maura Pierlot visits us today on the eve of her latest picture book release, Clutterbugs; a book that creates a nuanced look at creating vs consuming. Here's why she pursued this concept.

We live in an age where our self-worth is often built on what we have rather than who we are. The problem of plenty. 

Buried in our ‘stuff’ is the notion that property and possessions will improve our lives, but the converse is usually true. 

Abundance diminishes value. The more we have, the less content we seem to be. From every vantage point, fulfilment appears out of reach.

Review: What Will You Make Today?

Can you make a difference in the world? Of course you can. So how will you choose to do that?

This book is about choices, change and making an impact. 

What Will You Make Today? is a non-fiction picture book written by Maura Pierlot and illustrated by Triandhika Anjani. 

The text is a series of questions which act as prompts for the reader to consider what they can do to make a contribution to the world, even with what might seem like the smallest of actions.

Review: The Trouble in Tune Town

Music should be a joy for kids, but the pressure of music practice and performance can make some children lose the pleasure that music brings.

In this delightful picture book, Meg is Tune Town’s best performer. She’s practising for the big concert, but nothing is going right. The notes sound wrong, her fingers are tense, and the tune comes out ‘sluggish and sticky’.

Meet the Illustrator: Triandhika Anjani

Name, title, location: Triandhika Anjani, illustrator, Canberra

Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Nostalgic, whimsical, full of contrast.

What items are an essential part of your creative space?
The good old sketchbook, pencil and eraser. Oh, plus some drawing pens. And then there's my trusted iPad, with all my usual drawing apps installed. Last but not least, my laptop to finish everything off.

Review: Alphabetter

An alphabet book with a difference, Alphabetter is here to teach you more than just your letters. 

It’s a book to inspire and support you, providing 26 ways to be the best you.

Like being friendly (the word for the letter F), which the book goes on to describe as sharing and being kind, like when you team up with someone new in class.