I’m happy to welcome Mark Carthew to the blog today. Mark is here to introduce us to his latest book, The Gobbling Tree, which has just been rereleased.
Welcome Mark.
1. Give us the details – title, publisher, illustrator, release date.
The Gob
bling Tree
New Frontier Publishing
By Mark Carthew, illustrated by Susy Boyer
Release Feb 1 2014
2. Why did you write the book?
The idea came from a real life experience as a primary teacher, seeing a student kick a football up into a tree and the efforts of everyone around (including me) try to get it back down! It was very funny.
3. How long from idea to publication?
About 4 … or 40 years; depending how you define the ‘idea’ germ – as I suspect the idea really started in my childhood when lots of the toys and objects my brother and I played with such as kites, Frisbees and balls sometimes got caught up in trees.
4. What was the hardest thing about writing it?
Making sure the rhyming text rolled off the tongue with both logic and energy, while still allowing the text and visual narrative some space. It was also important to me to build up some tension to the resolution – along with the ‘teasers’ of predicted outcomes in each stanza.
5. Coolest thing about your book?
Winning the Speech Pathology Australia Book of Year Award. (… and Susy’s great illustrations. I love her use of shadows and the fun element of the little dog in every picture)
6. Something you learnt through writing the book?
That working with illustrators is one of the greatest things about being a children’s author. I loved working with Susy and the way she enjoyed all discussions about text and illustration placement.
7. What did you do celebrate the release?
We had an exhibition and book launch event at the wonderful Mark’s and Gardner Galley & café in Tamborine Mountain, Qld. They placed full sized objects from the story in a grand old oak tree in their beautiful open garden. The locals still call it The Gobbling Tree!
8. And how will you promote the book?
I present at lots of festivals, libraries, events and schools and provide bookmarks, posters and activity sheets and notes for teachers and children.
9. What are you working on next?
Like most authors I normally have lots of projects and ideas bubbling away! I have written a sequel to my latest book The Moose is Loose! and I have also written a follow up title to Five Little Owls (Six Little Ducks) which will also have a matching CD / song. I’m also working on a graphic novel for older children and a number of other picture books.
10. Where we can find out more about you and your book?
My website www.markcarthew.com.au is a good place. I put lots of fun free songs, activities, book links, interviews and resources up there for parents, teachers and students … and I’m adding things all the time!
Thanks heaps for visiting Mark. You can see a review of The Gobbling Tree here