Our World Full of Wonder by Jevita Nilson, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft
Published by CSIRO Publishing
“There is a place filled with all this wonder: our world, our home. Shall we go explore?” (Our World Full of Wonder)
Author Interview with Jevita Nilson
Thank you for speaking about your picture book Our World Full of Wonder with Joy in Books at PaperbarkWords, Jevita.
Where are you based and what is your background in books?
I am a children’s author based in Perth, Western Australia. My mother was a primary school teacher and a lover of literature, so I’ve always been surrounded by books. As a child I would write poems and songs, but it wasn’t until 2018 that I started writing picture books.
I write lyrical fiction and non-fiction picture books, weaving together nature, family, emotions, and the eternal joys of childhood. I also write rhyming picture books for the preschool market and fun junior fiction for young readers.
How did the publication of Our World Full of Wonder with CSIRO Publishing come about?
I wrote Our World Full of Wonder in early 2021. Over the next two years, I put the manuscript in front of countless publishers through assessments, pitches and submissions but it hadn’t found a home.
In early 2023 I decided to submit the manuscript to CSIRO Publishing through their open submissions. I wasn’t sure it was going to be a fit with their list because they focused on Australian themed books, and my manuscript was about different places around the world. But it turns out they loved it, and I was contacted a few months later saying they wanted to take the manuscript to acquisitions. By June that year, I had signed a contract!
Why are you so fascinated with ‘wonder’? What is something both in and outside your book that you find wondrous or wonderful? How/why?
Wonder is a feeling of amazement and admiration, caused by something beautiful and remarkable. That is exactly how I feel when I’m in nature, it never ceases to amaze me. Books also create a feeling of wonder through their ability to transport readers into places they have never been before. I love picture books that create ‘wow’ moments as I read them, and I try to create a little bit of wonder for children through my stories.
Our World Full of Wonder is all about finding wonder in our beautiful world. Not only are the places explored in the book wondrous to me, but also the interplay between Jess’ art and my words.
What is your favourite place of wonder in the book? Why?
This is such a hard question, because I love them all! I’m quite fascinated by the auroras, so I would love to see the northern lights one day, also the glowing beaches of the Maldives. These phenomena always seem so magical to me.
Your writing in the book is lovely. Could you select an example of your favourite words, sentences or page of words in the book and briefly explain why you are happy with them?
The whole book is very dear to me. Our World Full of Wonder was the first non-fiction picture book I wrote, and it’s always been one of my favourite manuscripts. Since sharing the book with my children, I would have to say the Valley of Flowers spread is one of my favourites.
There is a place where the meadows are bathed in blossoms, where bees buzz among the blooms, and wispy clouds kiss the rolling hills.
After my son read the book for the first time, he said some beautiful words about this page which absolutely melted my heart. Keeping in mind this is a 10-year-old boy who replies, “it’s good” to most questions, he calls me into his room after reading the book and says, “Your writing is so detailed, Mum. ‘Bathed’, that’s a really great word! Because the flowers are covering everything. And ‘kiss the rolling hills’ because they are lightly touching. The illustrations are amazing! When I’m reading the words, it’s like the pictures are moving. It’s like the flowers are swaying and the clouds are moving in the sky.”
We must be doing something right if a 10-year-old boy gives that level of praise.
Jess Racklyeft has done her usual superb job of illustrating. Which illustration best captures some of the essence of a wonder or wondrous place? How?
Jess’ illustrations are stunning and are everything I dreamed of for this book. It’s very hard to pick a favourite. I love the colour and layering in the Great Barrier Reef illustration which perfectly depicts the ‘multicoloured maze’ description of the reef.
I also love the perspective used in the Sequoia National Park illustration, showing the children looking up at the giant trees. I love the look of wonder on their faces!
How do you interpret her endpapers?
I’m certainly no art expert, but I feel the endpapers are a perfect reflection of Jess’ illustration style – colourful, playful and imaginative.
Jess has brought characters into the book. Could you imagine something about one or two of them to share with us here?
I love that Jess has included explorers on each page. I think this will help readers imagine themselves in these wondrous places. Even though you can’t see the faces of the characters on the aurora borealis spread, I can imagine the look of wonder on their faces as they gaze up at the magical lights.
Who do you see getting the most from this book?
The book is targeted at readers aged 5-9 years, but it’s also well suited to older children, and adults too. I’m a firm believer that no-one is too old for picture books. Anyone who loves nature and has a fascination with our wonderful world will enjoy the book.
What are you writing now or next?
Jess and I have a companion title coming out in February 2025, Our World of Wild Wonders, which explores some of the unique animal species that inhabit our planet. I’m also working on another book with CSIRO Publishing that is due out in 2026. This one is a little different to the Our World books, with more of an Australian feel to it. Hopefully I’ll be able to share more on that soon.
What else have you been reading recently that you would like to recommend?
There are so many quality children’s books that have been released this year. Some of my favourites are The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell, Bernie Thinks in Boxes by Jess Horn and Zoe Bennett, and Australia’s Baby Animals by Jess Racklyeft.
How would you like readers to contact you?
The best way to contact me is through social media. I’m on Facebook and Instagram as @jevita.nilson.writes
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