Parrot PALace by Susanne Gervay

Parrot Palace by

Susanne Gervay OAM

with illustrator Sarah Tabassum and consultant Pooja Mathur

Big Sky Publishing

Susannne Gervay writes about her new junior fiction novel, Parrot Palace

My beautiful picture book, Elephants Have Wings, illustrated by Anna Pignataro, fosters social inclusion and cohesion and spurred me onto writing my junior fiction Parrot Palace.

Diversity, inclusion and my family inspired this story. My family is from Hungary, and my nephew married a Chinese-Australia young women. So naturally 11-year-old Lily-Rosa has a Hungarian-Australian father and Chinese-Australian mother. That’s why you’ll find excellent Hungarian and Chinese recipes in the glossary. Mikey is inspired by my 11-year-old grandson who had red hair and is a great joker. The narrator is 11-year-old Hari, an Indian-Australian boy who nervously wants to become part of the squad of kids. Each of their families are as diverse as us. Mikey’s dad is a builder and his mum is pregnant with an (implied IVF) baby that is expected soon. Lily-Rosa’s dad is Hungarian, plays the violin and is a stay-at-home-dad. Her Chinese-Australian mother is Director of the local pre-school. Hari’s family includes his Indian homemaker grandmother, mother who loves being a nurse and him. If you are not in this mix-master squad of these young people, there is plenty of room to add yourself. Everyone is welcome, as our kids navigate diversity, acceptance and inclusivity, community.

It’s an exciting story, of course, as the kids confront their arch enemy. Mr Crabtree. Spoiler – Mr Crabtree sees the meanness of his ways and eventually everyone works it out.

The traditions of Hari’s family are woven into Parrot Palace. The kids are not sure why they have to take off our shoes entering a home. But Mikey is okay with that, although his feet stink like fish. The food is delicious and a feast for everyone. From the opening pages, our taste buds are tantalized with the honey of jalebi, the warm sweetness of ripe strawberries, apple pie and samosas. This is a story of today – the natural interweaving of cultures and customs; the interplay of the different shapes and styles of family; the fear and delight of a young boy Hari finding acceptance. The story is light-hearted and serious at the same time. 

Co-creators, Pooja Mathur, multi award winning teacher-librarian ensured the story was true and real. Illustrator Sarah Tabassum is a little cheeky. You can see her illustrations of Hari who has a little crush on Lily-Rosa. Who wouldn’t? Sarah Tabassum’s parrots fly across the cover and bring joy to Parrot Palace.

Young people experience feelings such as self-doubt, embarrassment as well as pride of their cultural traditions, involvement in bullying as the bully, bullied, peer group, search for friendships and an array of sensitivities. Parrot Palace sounds serious, but I create with kids’ humour, fun, jokes and challenges that go to the heart of who they are.

www.bigskypublishing.com.au

Suitable ages: 7 -11

ISBN:9 781923 300088

Study Guide: available on https:sgervay.com

Susanne Gervay’s website

Heroes of the Secret Underground by Susanne Gervay at Paperbark Words blog