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Cristy Burne and Fiona Wood: Inventor of Spray-on Skin

Posted on September 9, 2020September 25, 2020 by Alphabet Soup

MEET THE AUTHOR

Cristy Burne writes fiction and nonfiction and her books are bursting with adventure, friendship, family, nature, science and technology. Cristy has worked as a science communicator for nearly 20 years across six countries. She has been a science circus performer, garbage analyst, museum writer, and atom-smashing reporter at CERN, but her all-time favourite job is working with kids to embrace the intersection between science, technology and creativity.

Cristy’s latest book is the first book in the new Aussie STEM Stars series – Fiona Wood: Inventor of spray-on skin.

Fiona Wood Inventor of Spray-On Skin by Cristy Burne

From the publisher:

With her invention of the revolutionary spray-on skin, Fiona Wood changed the way burns were treated forever.

Fiona’s story is one of hard work and hope, of vision and direction, of stepping up, not giving in, and helping people rebuild their bodies and their lives.

Now – on with some questions about the book!

You’re a science writer, children’s author and presenter. Do you have a favourite subject area when it comes to Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM)?
My favourite part of STEM is creativity. Every single scientific breakthrough or invention or innovation ever in the whole history of the planet is the direct result of creativity. Our world is a better place because someone imagined a solution to a problem, because someone dared to dream of a new way. So being a scientist is all about being creative.

And science is all about making a difference in our world… solving mysteries, discovering knowledge, inventing fresh ways of doing things. It’s EXCITING, and we can all be part of it.

Your latest book is part of Aussie STEM Stars – a new series for kids celebrating Australia’s experts in Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths. How did you come to write about Fiona Wood?
I was very lucky to be asked to write this book about Fiona Wood, which is just an incredible honour.

I’d interacted with Fiona twice before: I’d seen her speak at a conference and LOVED her energy and passion immediately. Years later, I contacted her for an article I was writing for Double Helix magazine about The Great Unknown … I wanted to know what Fiona’s ‘Great Unknown’ was. I didn’t expect someone as busy as Fiona to answer, but she did, and once again I was overwhelmed by how generous she is, and how much good she does for the world. (She said she had many ‘Great Unknowns’ and finding answers to her questions is what drives her every day.)

So the chance to work with Fiona, to learn more about her, to share her incredible story with the world … it was one I just couldn’t pass up. I’m still pinching myself.

If I could have chosen any living scientist to write about, I would have chosen Fiona Wood. It’s such a huge responsibility to write someone else’s life. I totally recommend that you read this book … and your parents too. And your grandparents. And your teacher. I want to shout FIONA IS AMAZING to the rooftops.

How did you go about your research for writing the book?
I started by trawling the internet for all the pre-existing interviews, videos, articles and book chapters that featured Fiona. I listened to hours of radio, watched loads of YouTube, ordered books featuring great Australians, and read everything I could get my hands on.

I had 15,000 words of research before I started writing a thing. Fiona is SO busy doing incredibly vital research and life-changing work, I didn’t want to waste a minute of her time by asking questions she’d already answered in a zillion other interviews.

Also, because I had prepared, when it came time to chat with Fiona, I could focus on more personal questions, or ask about details I needed to bring a particular story to life. I then divided and ordered all that research chronologically and thematically to see if any story structure naturally appeared.

Do you have one tip for kids who’d like to write nonfiction?
Writing non-fiction is incredibly fun! Find something you’re interested in, and learn as much as you can about it. What a great job! My big tip is: don’t be afraid to ring or email someone to ask them for information or an interview. Getting your facts directly from an expert adds so much to your work. And most people, even busy people, are happy to help. (And most scientists, even busy scientists, are passionate about their work, so they love to share it!)

What’s your next writing project?
I’m putting the finishing touches on a chapter book adventure called Beneath The Trees, which is based on the true story of an epically awful hike my family and I did in the Queensland rainforest … it was an incredible adventure, complete with blood and tears and mud and really cute platypus. Perfect for reading while cuddled in bed!

Fiona Stanley: Inventor of spray-on skin is out now! Ask for it at your nearest bookshop or library.

AWESOME EXTRAS:

Click here to download Teacher’s Notes for the book.

Visit Cristy Burne’s website for more about her, her books and presentations.

Hear Cristy Burne read an excerpt from the book.

Read an earlier interview with Cristy Burne

Book reviews by kids

Book review: Songbird

Posted on September 7, 2020August 18, 2020 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY SANUKI, 11, VIC

Songbird by Ingrid Laguna, Text Publishing, ISBN 9781925773538

Sanuki reviewed her own copy of this book.

Songbird is about a girl called Jamila, she migrated to Australia as a refugee, with her mother and baby brother. She migrated to Australia from Iraq, because in Iraq there was bomb attacks at that time and it wasn’t safe to live there anymore. Her dad was still in Iraq hiding from the constant attacks.

She had to adapt to new changes such as a new house, a new school and learning a new language. All Jamila wanted was to make new friends at her school, but it was very tough for her until she joined the school choir, which made her feel liked she belonged somewhere.

I would recommend this book to someone who would like to experience the life of learning a new language, meeting new friends and many other changes.

Read a sample chapter on the publisher’s website.

Sanuki is a regular contributor to Alphabet Soup, you can read an earlier book review (The Shark Caller) here. If YOU would like to send us a story, drawing, poem, or book review, check out our submission guidelines.

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Young writers in action: Jolie’s Adventure … A trip inside a book

Posted on September 4, 2020July 25, 2025 by Alphabet Soup

JOLIE’S ADVENTURE: A TRIP INSIDE A BOOK
by Amanda, 7, New York City, USA

Chapter 1

Hands turning an open book page One summer day Jolie was stuck in her bedroom looking for something to do. Jolie, an 8 year-old girl, loved her bedroom because it was her comfort zone and a space for her imagination to grow. Sitting on her canopy bed she picked up a book named Especial Characters sitting on her nightstand. Jolie, a very fast reader, loved to read drama filled stories and Especial Characters fit the category.

As Jolie began to read the words from the pages started to leave the book and spin around in large, round circles. Suddenly, a character appeared in real life. In that moment Jolie said to herself – what just happened!

Jolie gasped in surprise. “Hi!” said, Lina. Lina was the character that Jolie just read about in the book. As the book described her, Lina was tall with long dark brown hair, and wore braces only on the top of her teeth. She was dressed in a blue jumper with small, green leaves covering the front of it.

Chapter 2

Jolie was so startled she couldn’t even speak. Jolie fainted because she couldn’t believe this was happening. Jolie got up as fast as a tiger chasing prey. When she woke up she saw Lina looking over her. Lina was as tall as Jolie – the height of a 8-year-old girl!

“Why are you here? Who are you?” asked Jolie.

“I am here because I need you to help me find a golden glove and my name is Lina. Most people like to call me Lin,” Lina shared with Jolie.

“So, you’re telling me you want me to help you find a golden glove?” Jolie said confused.

“Yep, just hold my hand!” Lina said happily.

“Wait! Where are we going? My babysitter will be worried if she does not find me sitting in my room!” Jolie says nervously.

“ Just hold my hand!” Lina commands. Jolie holds her hand tightly and starts to spin around like the wind in the hurricane. All of a sudden, they are in the book Especial Characters! Jolie is feeling anxious. She is panicking because this reminds her of The Magic Treehouse book series … and she never imagined being Jane!

What Jolie doesn’t know is that Lina wants to find the golden glove because it will keep all of the characters inside the book. This needs to happen because in the past few months other children have been throwing the books away once they see the words spinning off of the pages. Once this happens the story changes and the characters disappear forever!

Chapter 3

Holding hands, Jolie and Lina jumped into the book and landed in Chapter 4: Jane and the Treasure Map! Jolie hoped this was going to be another fun excursion like her journey to Mathematics Land. They found themselves in California standing in front of a townhouse. Lina knew inside this townhouse there was a treasure map. Knock! Knock! Lina knocked on the door. A girl with long golden hair opened the door. It was Jane!

“We need to talk,” Lina said in a serious voice. “Okay,” Jane said.

Jolie was wondering how Lina knew Jane. Lina and Jane knew each other because they are both characters in the same story. Lina quickly told Jane what was happening to the characters when a reader opened the book. Lina desperately asked Jane if she could look for the treasure map in her house. Jane let her in and as Jolie waited outside she thought to herself – where could the treasure map be?

Eventually, Lina found the treasure map under the bookshelf and it showed that the golden glove was at The Harlem BookStore, which is in Chapter 5: TheBookstore.Now Lina and Jolie hold hands and spin around and around again to their new destination .

Suddenly, they are at TheHarlem BookStore and find the golden glove between two books.

“Now that we have the golden glove what do we do?” questioned Jolie.

Lina replied, “You have to take it back with you and restart the book.”

“Restart the book?” Jolie was confused.

“Jolie, there is a key hole at the top of Especial Characters for the key that is inside this glove!” Lina explained as she took out the key. Lina took Jolie’s hand and they twirled around and around until they got to Jolie’s bedroom.

“Put the key in the book and close your eyes,” Lina said in a sad voice. As Jolie inserted the key Lina disappeared back into the book. In the next minute Jolie’s babysitter came to her bedroom and said, “Are you okay … you seem so quiet?” Jolie nodded her head and smiled. She thought to herself what will be my next adventure?

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

authors, interviews

AL Tait on writing The Fire Star

Posted on September 2, 2020September 4, 2020 by Alphabet Soup

MEET THE AUTHOR

AL Tait is the bestselling author of the middle-grade adventure series The Mapmaker Chronicles and the Ateban Cipher. Her latest novel is The Fire Star (A Maven & Reeve Mystery).

From the publisher:

A maid with a plan.
A squire with a secret.
A missing jewel.
A kingdom in turmoil.

Maven and Reeve have three days to solve the mystery of the Fire Star. If they don’t, they’ll lose everything.

The Fire Star is book 1 in an adventure mystery series set in Medieval times. How much research did you need to do before you began writing?

I have a strong interest in the Medieval period and I describe my novels as ’not quite history’ because they draw from that time but are then pivoted to create a whole new world. So I have a solid grounding in the flavour of the period, which allowed me to start writing The Fire Star, and then I research particular details as I go.

Sometimes, when I’m working on my first draft, I might even just put a note that says something like [insert description of Medieval kitchen here] and then go back later. That allows me to keep the story flowing. Story always comes first.

This is probably not the most efficient way to write a novel, but it works for me.

Characters’ names are an important part of their identity/personality. How do you choose the names of the main characters in your books?
Names are very important, particularly for the main characters, so I take my time to get them right. I look for names that are meaningful to the main traits of the character in question. So, as an example, I chose Reeve because it’s a Medieval word meaning ’sheriff’, which works really well for a mystery story! Maven, on the other hand, is a Hebrew name meaning ‘one who understands’, which describes Maven as a character perfectly.

If you found yourself living in Medieval times, what would your occupation/role in society be?
I like to imagine I’d be Queen of the land, but in reality I’d probably end up a peasant, running a small-holding with my husband and kids. That was the reality for most women, and it’s one of the reasons The Beech Circle exists in Cartreff, the world of my novel.

Do you have a tip (or a challenge) for kids who’d like to try writing an adventure mystery?
Writing a mystery story is a major challenge in itself. But I think my best tip is just to keep asking yourself ‘why?’. If this happens, why? If that happens, why? If you can get to the ‘why?’ of a mystery story it helps you to plot out the who, what, when and where of the crime.

So, in my novel, The Fire Star, a fabulously valuable and dazzling jewel goes missing. Instead of asking myself who took it, I looked at why someone might do it – and there were lots of reasons. So I chose the LEAST OBVIOUS answer and the story flowed from there.

Can you tell us a bit about your next project?
I am writing a new Maven & Reeve Mystery and I am so thrilled to be back in Cartreff. The ‘why?’ of this one is a doozy!

The Fire Star is out now – ask for it at your local bookshop or library!

EXTRAS:

Click here to visit AL Tait’s resources page on kings, castles & secret societies.

Click here for Teachers’ Notes.

Read our 2015 interview with AL Tait.

Find out more about AL Tait and her books at her website.

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Book review: WORSE THINGS

Posted on August 28, 2020November 25, 2021 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY JOSHUA, 11, NSW

Worse Things by Sally Murphy with illustrations by Sarah Davis

Worse Things by Sally Murphy, illustrations by Sarah Davis, Walker Books Australia, ISBN 9781760651657

Joshua received a review copy of this book.

Sally Murphy is the imaginative author of the book, Worse Things. Based in Australia, this non-rhyming book depicts three different views – Amed, Blake and Jolene. Amed is new to the school and watches the two other children from a distance – Blake, the Footy Boy and Jolene, the Hockey Girl. Meanwhile, Blake breaks his arm and now observes his football mates play without him. Jolene hates playing hockey because her other teammates dislike her and think that she is too selfish. Her mother urges her on anyway. All Jolene wants is for her dad to come back from saving people and save her from being forced to play hockey. ’How do these three characters’ different situations become one story?’ you may ask yourself …

This is a touching book, which anyone older than the age of 9 would enjoy reading. I appreciate this book because the author uses different techniques, such as if she wants to emphasise a word she would use a short poem to describe it like it is from a dictionary.

In my opinion, Worse Things is rated 4.5 out of 5. I loved reading this highly engaging, captivating and also heart-felt book!

Read our interview with the author of Worse Things, Sally Murphy.

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

authors, interviews

Kitty Black on writing A Crocodile in the Family

Posted on August 26, 2020August 26, 2020 by Alphabet Soup

MEET THE AUTHOR

Kitty Black

Kitty Black is a Western Australian author of picture books and children’s novels. Kitty currently lives in Perth with her husband, two children, two cats and a puppy, but she has also lived in Melbourne, Hong Kong and Mt Isa. Kitty’s first picture book was Who’s Afraid of the Quite Nice Wolf? (illustrated by Laura Wood), and her latest picture book is A Crocodile in the Family, illustrated by Daron Parton.

From the publisher:

A family of birds stumble across an egg in the bush and take it home with them. The family are thrilled when a little crocodile hatches from the egg, but the other animals are a little confused.

‘Why do you keep him?’ they ask. ‘Is it because he’s helpful?’

‘He is helpful,’ replies the family, ‘but that’s not why we keep him.’

When you’re writing a new story – pen & paper? or computer?
Always pen and paper for a picture book. I have a few writing books and while they’re meant to be used for different things if a story shows up then I grab whichever one is closest. My last picture book idea was written in the margins of a middle grade novel writing book. Never underestimate the audacity of ideas, they don’t care what you’re meant to be working on!

I swap between laptop and paper for the novel, just because typing is faster and there’s a lot of words. But if I get stuck on what happens next I always swap to paper. Paper just feels friendlier. Plus it doesn’t run out of battery and if you leave it in the garden overnight it’s probably okay.

Both of your picture books include animal characters who don’t seem to fit in – at first glance. Is this a theme that’s common in your writing?
Definitely. Growing up with undiagnosed ADHD meant that at school I always felt a bit different and I couldn’t figure out why. I have an affinity for the different kids, the ones who don’t pay attention to the ‘right’ things or get rowdy or spend loads of time day-dreaming. I want them to know there’s a place for them, just as they are. I’ve realised in hindsight that I also chose tough/creepy animals? Wolves and crocodiles! My next picture book in 2021 is about a bat. I guess I like different animals too!

Did you communicate with the illustrator of A Crocodile in the Family? Or did you each work separately?
We worked separately. I’ve never spoken directly to him! However, my commissioning editor at Hachette would tell me nice things he said, and also pass on nice things I said to him. So we knew we liked each other’s work. Despite the not talking directly we were both involved in all the choices and I think we worked really well together.

Do you have a tip for kids who love to write?
A tip that I’m using at the moment is to think about what my main character doesn’t want to happen – and then do that.

Can you tell us a bit about your next project?
I was lucky enough to receive an Arts Grant to develop a middle grade novel, so I am deep in a fantasy world with witches and magic and talking bears and monsters. It’s fun! Although not for my main character at the moment because that thing they didn’t want to happen, just happened.

I’m also working with the illustrator from Who’s Afraid of the Quite Nice Wolf? on our next book – Mr Bat Wants A Hat. She likes creepy animals too.

AWESOME EXTRAS:

If you live in Western Australia, you can attend the book launch of A Crocodile in the Family! The launch will be 29 August 2020, 3pm at Paper Bird Books, Fremantle. FREE event! Details here.
Click here to download Teachers’ Notes for the book.
Visit Kitty Black’s website for more about her and her books.

Book reviews by kids

Book review: The Theory of Hummingbirds

Posted on August 24, 2020August 7, 2020 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY GABRIEL, 9, NSW

The Theory of Hummingbirds by Michelle Kadarusman, UQP, ISBN 9780702262920

The publisher provided a review copy of this book.

The Theory Of Hummingbirds is written by Michelle Kadarusam. The book is about a determined girl called Alba who wants to run a two kilometre annual cross-country race. But Cleo is holding her back. Cleo is what she calls her turned-in left foot that she has had since her birth. It had always been in a brace but it recently got changed to a cast. Alba is over-excited because soon the cast will be taken off. She only has two weeks to strengthen her skinny weak left foot before the race is on. Will she be able to run the race? Meanwhile, her best friend Levi who loves science and hides in the library because he has asthma and is afraid of air, thinks the school librarian has a wormhole in her office. Is there truly a wormhole? Alba is not sure whether to believe her friend or not.

I liked the book because I learned a lot about hummingbirds such as how far they migrate. I also learnt how difficult it must have been for someone like Alba who was physically-challenged. I like this book because I am in some ways similar to Levi.

This touching book is great for ages 8+ and for people who love science. I rate this book 10 out of 10. I recommend that you read this book!

Read our interview with the author of The Theory of Hummingbirds.

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

Book reviews by kids

Book review: The Lost Stone of SkyCity

Posted on August 21, 2020July 29, 2020 by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY EVA, 11, WA

The Lost Stone of SkyCity by HM Waugh, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781925815948

Eva received a review copy of this book.

The Lost Stone of Skycity is written from the main character, Sunaya’s, point of view. Sunaya and her friend Danam discover the land of where the ice people live. In the beginning of the book they think it is just a legend but they discover that the ice people are real! The ice people find Danam and he gets taken away to take the dragon tests. The dragon tests are tests to see if he is strong and powerful enough to defend the Queen from anything bad, and if he passes the tests, he would become the cloud dragon. There is a really cool twist, that you won’t see coming!

This book is awesome because it was exciting! I’ve got a favourite part of the book but I can’t tell you about it as it will spoil it for you – but believe me you have to read this book!

I think the author is very talented. I liked imagining the pictures in my head. It had lots of action in it which was exhilarating! My favourite character was Sunaya. It was a joy to read!

I think other people should read it because there is no other book like it. It is really unique – I like the gotals. The book encourages people to be strong, never give up, and to trust their instincts.

I hope there is a second book soon! I loved the book so much I might dress up as the character, Sunaya, for book week at school!

Read a sample chapter from The Lost Stone of SkyCity.

Read Alphabet Soup’s interview with the author.

This is Eva’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, interviews

Katrina Germein: Tell ‘Em!

Posted on August 19, 2020August 13, 2020 by Alphabet Soup

Today’s visitor is Katrina Germein: an award-winning picture book author. Her books have been published all around the world and even read during story-time on television for Play School. You might have read some of her books already, like Big Rain Coming, My Dad Thinks He’s Funny, or Thunderstorm Dancing. Today we’re talking to Katrina about a new picture book called Tell ‘Em!, a collaboration with the children of Manyallaluk School, Rosemary Sullivan, and illustrator Karen Briggs.

Tell 'Em by Katrina Germein, the children of Manyallaluk School, and illustrator Karen Briggs

From the publisher:

A joyous and exuberant picture book about life in a remote community Tell ’em how us kids like to play. We got bikes and give each other rides. Tell ’em about the dancing and singing, and all the stories the old people know. In this book, written in conjunction with children from Manyallaluk School in the Roper River region in the NT, the voices of Indigenous children sing out across the land to tell us about their life in a remote community.

Time for some questions!

You wrote Tell ‘Em! in collaboration with Rosemary Sullivan, the children of Manyallaluk School, and illustrator Karen Briggs. How did the collaboration come about?
I met co-author Rosemary Sullivan when I was living in a remote Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory. I was working as a teacher and Rosemary was also teaching at a nearby school. We quickly became friends. After returning to my hometown of Adelaide I drafted an early version of Tell ’em! So when Rosemary mentioned an idea to create a book with the children of Manyallaluk School we decided to work together.

How did everyone communicate with each other during the book’s creation?
Rosemary used the early draft of Tell ’em! to workshop story ideas with the children of Manyallaluk. The students shared their ideas with Rosemary while they were at school and then they emailed the ideas to me. The story went back and forth like this for several months until it felt finished. The children held the final say on what was included in the text. The book is their story. It’s about them and 100% of author royalties go directly to Manyallaluk School.

A sneak peek inside Tell 'Em — *A sneak peek inside Tell ‘Em*

From initial idea to published book, how long did the process take?
Once the story was accepted by a publisher, Indigenous artist Karen Briggs joined the team and completed the stunning artwork for the illustrations. The whole project took over five years, and it’s exciting to now see the book in libraries, shops, schools and homes. (Picture books often take a long time!)

Can you tell us something about your next book?
My latest book (illustrated by Tom Jellett) is called Shoo, You Crocodile! It’s for young children and is a zany story about a crocodile on the loose in a museum! I’m always working on new stories. One I’m writing at the moment is about some little piggies who have the job of washing dishes in a busy restaurant. The fourth book in the My Dad Thinks He’s Funny series, My Dad Thinks He’s Super Funny, is coming out in 2021.

Do you have a tip for young writers who would like to collaborate with other creators on creative projects?
Hmm. Good questions. Every book I make is a collaboration. I can’t illustrate my own stories so I’m used to working with people. I think it’s fun seeing what ideas other creators have but some people might find it difficult not to be in control the whole time. My advice is to remember that the project is ‘shared’; it’s not ‘yours’. The people you’re working with deserve the chance to make decisions about how the project will turn out. I think it helps if you really appreciate their talents. Think about how they’re making the project better.