Chrissy Metge is an Annie Award-nominated producer and has been in the animation film and TV industry for 20 years; her love for children, storytelling and animation means it was natural for her to develop her own stories. Her screen credits include Entergalactic (Emmy Award Nominee), Rons Gone Wrong, the Oscar-Winning Jungle Book 2016, Alvin and The Chipmunks Roadchip, The Hobbit Trilogy, IronMan 3, Fast and Furious 7, Hunger Games, Superman Man of Steel, Legend of the Guardians, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Gary of the Pacific, Animalia TV Series. The WotWots TV Series, Bro Town TV Series.
Chrissy is also the author of the Max and His Big Imagination series and Amy’s Dreaming Adventures. Elemental Heroes is inspired by Chrissy’s son Hunter, and they have teamed up with bestselling author Karen McMillan to write these books. Chrissy talks to NZ Booklovers.
Tell us a little about the concept of the new Elemental Heroes series.
Elemental Heroes: Hydrogen Showdown is the first in a series in which twins Sophie and Joey navigate the fantastical world of Elemental Land. In each book, they face off against powerful characters from the periodic table's elements—starting with Hydro, the leader of the hydrogens.
This series combines thrilling adventures with educational twists, introducing young readers to scientific concepts through engaging narratives and dynamic characters. Sophie's empathy and deductive reasoning, paired with Joey's scientific savvy and sword-fighting skills, make them a formidable duo as they tackle explosive enemies and unravel complex challenges. Their journey is not only about battling foes but also about learning the value of teamwork, problem-solving, and peaceful conflict resolution.
What inspired these books?
When my son Hunter was five, he enjoyed reading a periodic table book for kids, and from there, the idea grew. As Hunter got more into reading, by age six, we started to create the elemental world. Hunter created the map and all of the characters and their attributes, which springboarded into us creating this series of books in this new and exciting world.
Without doing spoilers, what happens in the first book, Hydrogen Showdown?
Sophie and Joey step into Elemental Land for the first time and go into battle with a hydrogen army!
What was your process of creating the first book with your co-writer Karen McMillan?
Hunter and I came up with the premise of the world, the map and characters, and the general concept. Karen is an amazing writer, fast at flushing things out, so she worked her magic with the first draft. We then went back and forth on some of the finer details to take the manuscript to the final draft. We have used the same process to co-write the following books in the series. Working this way is an enjoyable and positive experience.
What did you enjoy the most about publishing this book, the first in a new series?
Developing the concepts with my son and collaborating with Karen.
What do you hope children will take away from reading?
I hope children will enjoy the book and be inspired to learn more about elements and science. Children learn best when having fun, so this new series certainly ticks that box for kids, so they will learn without it being hard work for them.
What is the favourite book you have read so far this year and why?
Hunter loved The Unbelievable Top-Secret Diary of a Pig. He said it is funny, and the characters have great adventures together.
I loved Turbulent Threads by Karen McMillan. It transported me to the 1890s in New Zealand with a gripping story that managed to combine a tender love story, the women’s suffrage movement, the incredible multi-cultural nature of Dunedin’s history, fashion and music, and the tragic story of real-life William Larnach. This novel has so many layers to it—it’s fantastic!
What’s next on the agenda for you?
Book two has already been written, and we are finalising the illustrations to accompany the writing. I can't wait for this one to come out, too!