2 minute read
Author delves into the wonders of nature
In the Rockpool is a delightful exploration of the natural world for young readers, written by St Andrews Beach author Andrea Rowe and illustrated by Hannah Sommerville – the duo behind the multi-award-winning children’s book Jetty Jumping. Andrea speaks to Sarah Halfpenny about their latest release.
What inspired you to create a story centred around a rockpool and its inhabitants?
I’ve always adored rockpool rambling. During lockdown, my 5km was all sand dunes, wild ocean and rockpools. The slower pace gave me a chance to revisit them with curious attention. I wrote this book as a tribute to being a wide-eyed coastal explorer growing up and raising my own kids by the rockpools.
Tell us about the collaborative process between you and Hannah. Hannah’s work is divine; I’m so blessed to work alongside her. We are now up to our sixth book together. In picture books, words and illustrations work alongside each other to move a narrative along. Images help a child see cues and modelling, and visually expand the story, plus images are an absolute joyful artform to savour.
What messages do you hope young readers take away from In the Rockpool?
In the Rockpool is the first of a Little Worlds board book series encouraging curiosity and supporting early concept comprehension. I’m so proud of this book series as a past environmental writer and as someone who spends my time in national parks. These are precious places that need our careful attention and advocacy now more than ever. Children’s literature has a front-row seat in helping children connect with a sense of awe and duty of care for our planet. How do your natural surroundings influence your writing?
There’s so much of my wonderful landscape in my stories. Even when I try to write a non-coastal story, there’s still something about the sounds of the environment, the freedom of space and even glimpses of the characters who live in my community. I write from the senses, which is a wonderfully fun thing to do with children’s literature. Sounds, smells, sights and touch sneak in everywhere. There’s no closing the door on inspiration when you live in beautiful places.
