Will Fin Win? by JANE GODWIN is the latest entry in ‘Your Kid’s Next Read’, a series that aims to introduce kids into loving books. Read on for a Q&A with the author about Fin and a naughty puppy on school sports’ day.
ABOUT JANE GODWIN
What inspired the character of Fin and his story in Will Fin Win?
Fin is partly inspired by one of my young nephews. I once walked past a trophy shop with him, which prompted a discussion about the fact that if they really wanted to, anyone could just enter that shop and get their name engraved on a trophy or medal. ‘So you could get a trophy without winning anything at all?’ my nephew asked me. It made me reflect on the idea of winning, and external rewards, and the deeper satisfaction that comes from having done something you’re proud of.
What lessons do you hope readers take away from Fin’s journey?
I don’t ever think of lessons when I’m writing, because a good story will naturally have its own morals and if you start with the moral or lesson, the story can end up feeling didactic. But I suppose the ideas I was exploring were external motivation compared with internal motivation, and the fact that knowing you’ve done something brave or worthwhile or that you’re proud of has its own rewards.
This book is part of the ‘Your Next Read Silver’ series that aims to keep young readers reading. How does Will Fin Win? fit into that overall mission?
I hope Will Fin Win? is pacy and full of action, and that the ideas and the plot are relatable and relevant to the readership. The story also contains themes that young readers can reflect on more deeply if they wish to.
What’s your favourite part of the process when crafting stories for young readers?
Probably when I first feel an idea start to germinate, and I can sense its potential. ie before I get to the inevitable problems, difficulties and challenges that every story brings up!
What drew you to write a book in this new ‘Your Next Read’ initiative? And did you have any conversation or share any ideas with other authors in the series?
The publisher asked me if I would like to contribute to the series, and I was keen. Many years ago I was a publisher at Penguin Books, and we published two series for young readers called Aussie Bites and Aussie Nibbles. I was involved in the creation of these series, and also wrote several books in the series. So I hoped I had something to offer this new series as well.
I didn’t have any conversations or share ideas with the other authors, but I do look forward to reading their books in the ‘Your Next Read’ initiative.
What excites you most about helping young readers fall in love with reading?
I remember how much I loved reading as a child, and everything that reading gave me I still carry in my adult life. One of my aims as a writer for young readers is to hopefully engage them in that same way I was engaged, so that they capture the magic that is reading for pleasure and it becomes a lifelong adventure for them as well.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jane Godwin is the author of many award-winning stories for young people, including her bestselling picture books with Anna Walker, Sadie and the Silver Shoes, What Do You Wish For?, Today We Have No Plans, All Through the Year, and Little Cat and the Big Red Bus. Jane has also collaborated with Andrew Joyner on the delightful picture books How Big Is Too Small? and Bear Make Den. Visit her at JaneGodwin.com.au.
Visit Jane Godwin’s website here.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
For over twenty years, Tom Jellett has illustrated much loved picture books for children including My Dad Thinks He’s Funny. His work has appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers, including editorial illustrations for The Australian and The Weekend Australian. Tom has been included in the Editorial and Book category for Illustrators 61, and exhibited at the Society of Illustrators, New York in 2019.
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