Meredith Downes’ love of the Australian bush and wildlife has not only led to a growing career as a children’s author and illustrator, it’s also helping her develop relationships with rural and regional communities across Australia.
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She’ll be in the Berrigan Shire next week to forge even more friendships, running a special series of workshops for local children.
Sessions will be held in Tocumwal, Finley and Barooga (see page 6 for more details).
They will be partly based on her book, Liam the Chid & the Kangaroo Warriors.
“I’m interested in Australian wildlife and, not that kids in urban areas are not, Australian kids in the bush tend to be more interested in that. That’s led to me visiting libraries all around Australia.
“I get to meet all the amazing kids and help them be creative, and do something creative with them.
“In the workshops I explain how you might draw your story, and which characters, actions and a point of view to focus on.
“Kids these days like going through comics and graphic novels, and the workshops allow them to explore that.
“This gives them a chance to talk with an author, and they can ask a lot of questions.”
Ms Downes released Liam the Chid & the Kangaroo Warriors last year, and is now working on another book in the series.
“It is all about an echidna who is a hero and its feisty friends the Kangaroo Warriors that go up against some problems,’ she said of the first book.
“Over the time, I’ve found kids love heroes.
“The workshop is ideal for children aged 8 to 12, but if they’re younger than that, that’s perfectly fine; they can do what they can do.
“Older students are also welcome, and are likely very into illustrations.”
Meredith Downes' book Liam the Chid & the Kangaroo Warriors.
Photo by
Meredith Downes
