Alphabet Soup

Meet the author: Teena Raffa-Mulligan

Posted on May 16, 2019May 8, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

Photo of Teena Raffa-Mulligan in a grey shirt sitting at her computer desk.

When the moon is a smile by Teena Raffa-Mulligan and Amy Calautti

Today we are very pleased to welcome Teena Raffa-Mulligan to Alphabet Soup. Teena’s publications for children include poems, short stories, picture books, chapter books and middle grade novels. She has also worked as a journalist and editor. Teena’s latest publication is a picture book called When the Moon is a Smile (illustrated by Amy Calautti). This is a gentle story about a small girl spending time with her dad, who no longer lives with them.

When was your first piece of writing published?
A long time ago! I was a member of an ABC radio club for kids called The Argonauts and I had a poem read during one of their sessions. That gave me the confidence to send it to the children’s page of the Sunday Times newspaper, where it was published. I’m not sure of the exact year, but I think it was maybe 1964. About 10 years later I had my first two children’s stories accepted and they appeared in Woman’s Day magazine.

You write poetry, picture books and novels – how do you know which format will be best when you have a story in your head?
Good question, Rebecca. Usually the story ‘tells’ me and I go along with that. However, sometimes I’ll write what I think is a picture book but then I can’t find a publisher. So I make a few changes and submit them as poems or short stories to magazines and anthologies – usually successfully. Interestingly, my children’s novel Mad Dad for Sale began as a picture book that I couldn’t sell. Catnapped and Getting Rid of Wrinkles also began as picture books.

Mad dad for sale by Teena Raffa-Mulligan

Getting Rid of Wrinkles by Teena Raffa-Mulligan and illustrated by Craig Smith

Catnapped by Teena Raffa-Mulligan and Daniel Weatheritt

Your latest book – When the Moon is a Smile – is a picture book. How do you go about writing a picture book once you have the story idea?
I scribble random sentences and paragraphs from anywhere in the story on scrap paper as they pop into my mind. Then I get a clean sheet of paper and divide it roughly into page spreads so I can work out how the book might work. When I finally sit down at the computer, it’s a bit like doing a jigsaw puzzle. I put all the bits and pieces in the right order and play around with them until everything feels like it’s in the right place.

Drafts of When the Moon is a Smile, a pile of paper with scribbled notes. — Teena’s drafts of When the Moon is a Smile.

Do you have a tip for young writers wanting to write a picture book?
Writing stories is fun. You get to create characters, put them in weird and wonderful situations and then decide what happens next. Don’t worry about whether what you’re writing is an amazing story. Just play with the words. Let one follow another and see where they take you. It’s an adventure.

What’s next for you?
I’m working on a novel called Talibut Vish. It’s about a kid who hires a parent tamer because he’s had enough of trying to sort out his problem parents. At first Mike thinks he’s found the solution to his dilemma. But when Vish becomes less of a friend and more of a threat, Mike realises he has a bigger problem than misbehaving parents. It’s a fun story to write but because I don’t really know what’s going to happen from one chapter to the next, it’s taking me a long time to get to The End. I’m 14 chapters in but I still have no idea how Mike is going to escape from Mr Vish, find his runaway parents and reclaim control of his life.

This interview is copyright http://www.alphabetsoup.net.au May 2019

When the Moon is a Smile will be available from June 2019. Find out more about Teena Raffa-Mulligan and her books by visiting her website: www.teenaraffamulligan.com

info

Young Writers in Action: Cheese rolling

Posted on May 14, 2019July 25, 2025 by Alphabet Soup

CHEESE ROLLING
by Liora, 9, Manhattan, USA

Photo by Min An from Pexels

“Go, go, go!” The mascot cheers.
“Crunch” The grass gets run over by all the people rolling all over it, determined to get the cheese.
The referees discuss the game, making sure it’s fair.
While the girl players get their face covered with hair.
“Woohoo, so close, get the cheese!” a fan in the audience cheers.
Players dodge and cheer, run and fall,
tumble and flip, in order to catch the cheese.
“Thump!” That’s the sound of players falling all over each other.
Then someone says, “oh brother.”
They have just figured out that someone found the cheese.

This is Liora’s first poem for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR story, poem, artwork or book review, check out our submission guidelines.

info

Young Writers in Action: Jungle Island

Posted on May 9, 2019July 25, 2025 by Alphabet Soup

Jungle Island Excursion

by Gabriel, 8, NSW

We got on the school bus at 6:00am to go to the ferry which was waiting for us to sail to Jungle Island. On the bus I could see lush green grass and golden kangaroos.

After the first hour on the school bus the teacher gave us one pack of cookies each. I munched on the cookies while I looked at the scenery.

After three hours we stopped and walked aboard the ferry. The ferry had three floors. The second floor was where the driver sat and snacks were kept. Mr. James our teacher pointed out that on the horizon you could just see the island. I spotted two leather-back sea turtles, five green sea turtles and one school of dolphins.

After two hours, we set foot on ground again. We unloaded our bags from the ferry.

Jack (my partner) and I set up our tent. After everyone had finished setting their tent, all of us went trekking in the jungle. We each had to pick up a fruit that looked interesting, then study it. We saw many birds, monkeys, water-dragons and salt-water crocodiles. After an hour trekking in the jungle it was lunch, so we went back. We had a tropical and seafood smorgasbord. There were mangoes, pineapples, squid, octopus, prawns, kiwi, bananas, salmon and hundreds of other types of food.

Next, was the break so I waded in the water. The water was cool. I also saw some hermit crabs.

After that we went snorkelling, where there were many different colours of coral. I also saw angel fish and one baby humpback whale very far away. Jack and I swam with some dolphins that were friendly, then we pretended to be some other animals like octopus and crabs. After an hour we came out of the water.

Next, we went kayaking. Jack and I were on a kayak together, where I was at the back. We were told not to go close to the coral because coral takes hundreds of years to grow. The water was so clear that I could see the sea bed! There were fish all shapes, sizes and colours. Many small fish swam in the shade of all our kayaks.

We kayaked under four caves. There were many huge rocks in the middle of the river. It would already take a lot of effort to go against the current but even more to turn the kayak. We kayaked for two hours which really made me tired.

Later, we had dinner, which was a barbecue. There was grilled fish and grilled squid. After dinner, I snuggled up in my sleeping bag and fell asleep. I was one of the last to wake up. Jack wasn’t in the tent so I asked Bill.

Bill said Jack had already gone to get breakfast so I met Jack there, where we had scrambled eggs and bacon. It was scrumptious.

Later, we went fishing. Jack caught a huge fish and it was one metre long! I caught a small fish and I used it as bait then caught a huge fish. It was a tiny bit smaller than Jack’s fish. After that, instead of using fish, I used earthworms. I caught a fish much bigger than Jack’s. The teacher helped us cook my second fish. Jack and I tried it and it was delicious.

Then, all of us had one hour of swimming to practice. I brought a diving camera and took pictures of fish and coral. I took zoomed in pictures of a sperm whale far away. Most pictures were zoomed in on little fish.

When we got out of the water, it was break time. I quickly used iMovie and made a video of the fish and coral. Then I drew some pictures of fish.

We could have two hours doing anything we wanted but we had to keep close. I wrote a report about Jungle Island and also went diving with Jack.

This is the best camp I have ever been to! I liked kayaking the best! I wish you were here!

Gabriel is a regular contributer to Alphabet Soup. You can read some of his earlier work here. If YOU would like to send us a story, drawing, poem, or book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy writing!

info

Young Writers in Action: Burning Yuan Ming Yuan October 1860

Posted on May 7, 2019July 25, 2025 by Alphabet Soup

This poem was inspired by a visit to the Old Summer Palace (Yuan Ming Yuan) in Beijing, China, and researching the history regarding the burning down of this beautiful palace in 1860.

Burning Yuan Ming Yuan October 1860

by Joshua, 10, NSW

Yuan Ming Yuan photo of Chinese ruins courtesy Joshua

Flames of fire roaring high,
Reaching up to the sky.
Beautiful gardens,
Now all in ruins.
Everything burning.
I am watching.

Something lovely,
Now all history.
Standing there
Just there.
Everything burning.
I am watching.

Locals help,
They don’t yelp.
All ashes,
Many smashes.
Everything burning.
Sadly watching.

You can read some of Joshua’s earlier work here. If YOU would like to send us a story, drawing, poem, or book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy writing!

Book reviews by kids

Book review: My New Best Friend

Posted on May 2, 2019June 18, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY MIA, 8, VIC

Olivia’s Secret Scribbles: My New Best Friend
by Meredith Costain, ill. Danielle McDonald,
Scholastic Australia, ISBN 9781760277062

My New Best Friend is part of the Olivia’s Secret Scribbles series. These books are fiction, written by Meredith Costain and illustrated by Danielle McDonald. I think this book and series would suit girls between 6–9 and there is another series for older girls called Ella Diaries, which is written like a diary by Olivia’s older sister.

My New Best Friend is my favourite book, written like a journal, full of special private secrets. Olivia is always up to something and even has her own experiment cupboard. This book is about school, getting a new bedroom, making a new BFF, inventions, soccer, mysteries to be solved, an annoying older sister, a cat that needs more training, a spider, setting traps and lots more.

I love this series because I especially like experiments and new inventions and I can’t wait for more. I always read the whole book in one go because I need to know what’s going to happen. I give this book 5 stars.

This is Mia’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

info

Book review: Worst Camp Ever

Posted on April 29, 2019June 17, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY JESSIE, 10, VIC

Ella Diaries: Worst Camp Ever by Meredith Costain, ill. Danielle McDonald,
Scholastic Australia, ISBN 9781760157180

Worst Camp Ever is part of the Ella Diaries series. The book is a fiction book written by Meredith Costain in a diary style form, through the eyes of an Australian girl named Ella. This book and series would suit girls between 8–12. There is another series for girls a bit younger called Olivia’s Secret Scribbles, which is written through the eyes of Ella’s younger sister. The books are illustrated by Danielle McDonald, in simple but very funny and effective drawings, that often make me laugh out loud.

The books are fun, a bit naughty, focus a lot on school friendships and are filled with adventure, mostly set at school, gymnastics and at home. They also contain some new and fantastic words like ‘fantabulous’ and always have some funny poems or songs.

Worst Camp Ever is one of my favourites, as it is about going on school camp, the excitement of bunk beds, activities like the big swing and kayaking, also fears, personal challenges, enemies, playing pranks, noises at night and scary stories. There is also crazy boys, food fights, potatoes that have to be peeled, points to be earned and lost and so much more.

I have read and own all the books of this series that have been released and my sister is reading the younger version. Every time I come home with a new book I’m so excited to find out what happens next, I need to read it from start to finish in one night. I just can’t wait for more books to be released and I know you will enjoy them too. 5/5

This is Jessie’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Book reviews by Hannah, Book reviews by kids

Book review: This is home

Posted on April 24, 2019April 17, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY HANNAH, 12, QLD

This is home: Essential Australian Poems for Children, selected by Jackie French, ill. Tania McCartney, NewSouth Books, ISBN 9780642279385

Hannah received a review copy of this book from Alphabet Soup.

This is Home – a book of poetry selected for children by Jackie French and vibrantly illustrated by Tania McCartney – is our story of Australia told through verse over real time. There are different sections in the book and each section describes a different part of Australian history. This gives you the freedom to only read what section you like or of reading the whole book from the start to enjoy the progression of events that have formed the country that we call home.

The anthology just radiates pure elegance. The poems are tender and beautiful and most have gorgeous illustrations to match them. The illustrations were really powerful and calming, often playing with the words and a poem’s title.

It was so impossible to choose when my mother asked me for my favourite poem. I have to admit that the ‘Laughter’ section was the one I enjoyed the most. The selection of verse throughout the book doesn’t feel the least bit rushed. The artwork and the storylines are calming and seem to encourage the reader to take time to breathe in the words and pictures. I loved that Jackie French placed the poems in chronological order as I haven’t really seen that done before in an anthology.

I do really love this book and I recommend it to all school aged kids as it is aimed at children. This one is really worth checking out.

This is Hannah’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

authors, poetry

Lorraine Marwood: writing a verse novel

Posted on April 4, 2019April 3, 2019 by Alphabet Soup

Today we’re super excited to have Lorraine Marwood visiting Alphabet Soup to talk about writing verse novels. Lorraine is an award winning Australian writer of novels, verse novels and poetry for children.

Lorraine’s latest book, Leave Taking, is about a boy and his family who are leaving their farm forever after the death of Toby’s younger sister.

Leave taking by Lorraine Marwood. Book cover.

What bought you to write Leave Taking as a verse novel?

That’s an interesting question. Often I’m asked if I write ‘normal’ stories, meaning all prose. The answer is yes I do — not everything I write is poetry or verse novels, except when the subject matter calls for a stronger emotional framework, then I use poetry. Sometimes it’s my natural voice; sometimes I sketch a character out in prose poetry much like an artist might sketch a character. Because Leave Taking has an emotional tug of saying goodbye to both a beloved place and a beloved family member, my natural instinct was to treat the story in a special prose poetry way.

For me this technique is quick and it also provides different layers for the reader to climb on and it allows us to cry or laugh at the time the reader feels a heartstrings pull.

A verse novel way of writing is like wearing a piece of comfortable clothing; I can confidently build an atmosphere and that is a huge gateway for me to enter the story. I have to feel the right atmosphere to plunge in.

What do you find most challenging about writing verse novels?

This way of writing does have pitfalls. For me it’s probably not to strike out in prose too much when it’s a blend of poetry and prose together. And to keep that consistency of words to a line and to write more rather than less, which I tend to do as a poet. I try to paint a bare sensory picture for the reader to experience and that allows them to come to the story with their own ideas and reactions.

Do you have a tip for young writers who’d like to have a go at writing a verse novel?

Start out with a tale you know well and cut it down and put your own slant on it.
Try for short sentences and short phrases.
Try to give lots of senses and details.

Here’s a start of a well-known tale — continue on! Using first person voice is a good choice for a verse novel.

Aladdin

I am waiting, watching.
My mother said, ‘Go and hunt
for bargains in the market.’

There are shouts of stall holders,
banners flapping in the breeze.
‘Pies, fresh bananas, best in town!’
‘Silk, wool, rugs, soft and hardwearing!’

And amongst all the bleats of sheep,
or goats, I hear a musical voice;
‘Lamps, I buy old lamps, I pay good money!’
Now you continue on — try for 7 or 8 words a line.

Can you tell us a bit about what you’re working on next?

I have written a ‘normal’ big book, a fantasy, a genre I love. I have written another verse novel, which is under contract with University of Queensland Press, and always I write poetry and have some school writing workshops coming up.

Thanks for asking me these insightful questions. And happy verse novel writing everyone — have a go!

Leave Taking has been shortlisted for the 2019 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award (Younger Readers category), AND shortlisted for the 2019 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards.

You can read earlier interviews with Lorraine Marwood here.

info