The Postman’s My Mate by Kelly Louise Jarris, ill. Natalie Herington
Guest author post for Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords blog with Kelly Louise Jarris
A mysterious box arrives from the postman the day before Charlie’s birthday. He can only imagine what’s inside!
Thank you for speaking with PaperbarkWords blog, Kelly.
What is the essence of your story, The Postman’s My Mate?
The main essence of The Postman’s My Mate is the journey of anticipation, imagination, and creativity. I spend most days reading to schools, and I have learned that kids gravitate towards books they can participate and engage in.
I think this is why my book, Cheese On Toast, is working well. Children are able to chant with the reader in a simple rhyme. This has been the key for me.
The Postman’s My Mate also has an element of interactivity, where the reader can ask the children questions like, “Should we open it now or leave it alone?” I hope the story captures the excitement of wondering what’s inside and emphasizes the importance of imagination and creativity in everyday life.
How does your story appeal to its readers, from young children to parents and educators?
I hope that young children will find it engaging and that it will spark their imagination and curiosity. Each page turn is designed to be filled with anticipation.
Parents and educators will find value in its underlying messages about sustainability and creativity. They may appreciate the story’s emphasis on practical recycling (and re-using) ideas, fostering a sense of environmental responsibility from a young age.
Why have you chosen to include the combination of using one’s imagination with practical sustainability ideas? What important considerations do you hope this will teach children?
I chose to combine imagination with practical sustainability ideas to show that creativity and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
Through Charlie’s imaginative journey, children learn the importance of recycling and reusing materials in fun and inventive ways. This combination teaches children to view sustainability as an integral part of their daily lives, encouraging them to think creatively about how they can contribute to a healthier planet.
The main goal for The Postman’s My Mate was to create a fun read, the message comes as an added bonus.
The Postman’s My Mate is written in engaging rhyming couplets from the child’s perspective but also includes the reader. Was this a natural process or did it require a lot of tweaking?
Writing in rhyme is one thing, but getting it to work is not easy. I wrote the manuscript and edited it so many times. At one stage, I had two editors take a thorough look.
It involved a fair amount of tweaking to ensure the rhythm and flow were just right. I hired a fantastic editor who is an expert in rhyme. I wanted the story to be both fun and easy to read aloud, capturing the child’s voice while also engaging the reader directly.
The rhyming structure helps to create a lyrical quality that enhances the storytelling experience.
What has been your most encouraging feedback so far?
The best feedback has been from a teacher who plans to add the book to their class unit. The children will be learning about sustainability, and worksheets will be implemented as part of the lesson.
I’m thrilled to see how they will engage with the story and what creative, fun and imaginative ideas they come up with!
This is your first collaboration with illustrator Natalie Herington. How much input did you have in the illustrations? What do you love most about the atmosphere she has created in her artwork?
Collaborating with Natalie Herington has been a fantastic and creative journey. I had a clear image in my mind of how I wanted the book to look, but at the same time wanted Nat to be able to bring in her thoughts, and together we bounced ideas off each other to get the characters just right.
The dog in the book is actually my sister’s Australian Kelpie, Rusty. I gave Nat an image of him, and she worked her magic to bring Rusty to life on the pages. My little nephews are thrilled to see their dog in the book!
Natalie added delightful touches, like a wildlife carer certificate in Charlie’s bedroom, the character’s boots are much like my own, and a scene where the characters are all around Charlie’s hat.
We meticulously researched and discussed every detail, from the milk can letterbox to the banged-up old ute and the dusty old shack. Natalie even used local handmade Australian watercolour paints, making the book even more special.
It was a fun process filled with brainstorming sessions, blending my original ideas with hers. The atmosphere she created is vibrant and whimsical, capturing the heart and soul of the story, and perfectly showcasing our amazing Australian landscape, flora and fauna.
What has the process of self-publishing been like for you? What major lessons have you learned along the way?
Self-publishing has been some seriously hard work. It’s been a challenging yet rewarding journey. I started my author journey around ten years ago, submitting manuscript after manuscript. It’s only in the last three years that I’ve really started to understand the industry and gained the confidence to step outside the box.
I’ve learnt so much from other published authors and by speaking to publishers and book buyers along the way. By engaging with educators, I’m learning what kinds of books they might benefit from in the classroom. I’ve learnt that writing can be subjective just like a painting or a song and to roll with the punches.
My writing style focuses on getting students excited to turn the page, engaging them throughout the story. This could be as simple as adding a character they have to find on each page, like in my first book, Wonderful Wishes, or having a repetitive rhyme like, “I just want some cheese on toast.” I try to approach writing by being conscious of what I think kids will be able to sit through and enjoy.
The process has taught me resilience and to back yourself, even when the road gets tough.
What are your final thoughts about your new book?
I’m really happy with the outcome and I can’t wait to share it during Book Week. Seeing the excitement and engagement from children, parents, and educators has been incredibly rewarding. I hope The Postman’s My Mate continues to inspire young readers and spark their imagination and creativity, and helps them to appreciate the important work of our community workers, too!
Kelly Louise Jarris:
Kelly Louise Jarris is the author of several picture books. Her first book, Wonderful Wishes, is a rhyming bedtime story that encourages child-parent discussions about sleep and dreams. Her title, Imagine Our Special Place, is an invaluable resource for parents in discussing issues around palliative care with children. Kelly’s other books include Cheese On Toast and Seasons of You, with her most recent, The Postman’s My Mate. Kelly writes from her experiences with her own kids and from the heart.
The book will be available on Kelly’s website to purchase www.kljbooks.com and at any good bookstore. Follow Kelly on Facebook and Instagram.
Natalie Herington:
Natalie’s website is: www.natalieherington.com and find her on Instagram.
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