Taking on big issues with little steps is the inspiration behind a local author’s latest children’s book.
Last week, Gibbston-based author and illustrator Laura Shallcrass released her third book in three years, Moonlight Mission, to spark meaningful conversation between parents, teachers, kids and ‘‘whoever wants to read it’’.
Set in the same animal world as her last two publications, Hare & Ruru and What Colour is the Sky?, her new book follows the story of a community whose food goes missing.
The animals, including Hare from previous stories and new additions, consider the idea of those taking the food being hungry and in need.
Shallcrass warns, ‘‘no spoilers’’, but explains the concept of the book is based on trying to understand privilege, and being aware of other people’s situations.
‘‘All the books explore mindfulness … [they’re] designed to open dialogue’’, she says.
However, Shallcrass admits the topic made Moonlight Mission harder to write and less straightforward than her first releases.
It’s a big issue boiled down for kids to understand, so the writing process came with its own challenges, like not using the word ‘thief’, she says.
Freshly returned from a tour around Auckland schools with Storylines, Shallcrass says being able to connect with children through the book, released with Beatnik Publishing, is the most rewarding thing.
She spends about six months working on the illustrations, which also provide a sort of treasure hunt.
‘‘There are hidden details in them, and it’s cool to go through with the kids.’’
Shallcrass says she’d love to continue touring schools, hearing the discussions the story prompts and the effects they have.
