The Night Tiger by SHERRYL CLARK is a picture book about the sense of wonder that comes with conquering a fear of the dark. Read on for a Q&A with the author.
MEET SHERRYL CLARK
What sparked the idea behind The Night Tiger?
Two things, I think – one was that I love writing verse novels in free verse, and I wanted to try a picture book as a verse novel, telling a story in poetic stanzas. The title came first – one of those intriguing ones that pop into my head now and then – and then thinking about imagination and daring, what can happen in a magical kind of night world that’s really just your back garden. But for a child, of course, it can be anything.
Why is it important to write books that help children navigate big feelings like fear, wonder and confidence?
When I was studying fairy tales, it led me into the psychology of daring and facing your fears, and how doing that is what teaches resilience. It’s not a lesson you can learn at school. A story is the perfect place for experiencing fear and wonder and excitement, and getting to the end of the book and seeing the character win through is so empowering for a child. How amazing that stories can do that for our kids.
Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get in the writing zone?
When I’m working on a big novel (I write adult crime fiction, too), getting started each day is the hurdle. Once I’m in there, it’s fine. At the moment, I have a reminder note on my computer to nudge me over the mental hurdle. For things like picture books and verse novels, it’s more about leaping on the idea and writing down everything I can think of about it – never let an idea get away from you!
What’s the most rewarding part of your writing process, and what’s the most challenging?
This might sound silly, but the best moment for me is when I re-read a story I’ve written with a big emotional scene or moment in it and I cry. That tells me I’ve ‘done it right’. The most challenging is when a manuscript draft is finished and I know there is something not working in it. I have to put it away and leave it, sometimes for months, until I can see what needs fixing. Writing retreats are very good for that – having a few days of complete immersion in the story so I can see what it needs.
What message do you hope young readers take away about facing fearful or unknown moments?
The unknown is always scary, but when you’ve stepped into it and found your feet, or got to the other side, it’s the best feeling ever. And it makes you braver for the next time. Even as a grownup, I’ve done scary things and ended up having amazing experiences. I never want to stop learning and growing.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sherryl Clark has published more than 70 books, from picture books to novels. Her novel Farm Kid won the 2005 NSW Premier’s Literary Award – Patricia Wrightson Prize, her verse novel, Sixth Grade Style Queen (Not!), was a CBCA Honour Book in 2008, and Mina and the Whole Wide World won the 2022 Prime Minister’s Award for Children’s Literature. She writes both fiction and poetry, and loves to research. Her PhD from Victoria University was on the topic of new fairy tales for today’s children. She writes both fiction and poetry, and works as a freelance editor.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Hannah Sommerville is a children’s picture book illustrator who lives and works on the South Coast of New South Wales. She began illustrating in 2010 after the arrival of her first child, who she credits with reintroducing her to the world of picture books. Since then, Hannah has enjoyed creating vivid details in hopes of capturing the imagination of children. These details are drawn from her family life and her own childhood memories. Toys and trinkets from home often hide among the pages of her books. She has won multiple awards including CBCA 2022 Book of the Year – Early Childhood for Jetty Jumping, written by Andrea Rowe. She is currently illustrating her 19th picture book.
Follow Hannah Sommerville on Instagram
0 Comments