Karen McMillan is the author of 24 books published in eleven countries, a mix of inspiring non-fiction, bestselling fiction and children’s books. She has just released the latest in the popular Elastic Island Adventures series published by Duckling Publishing, this new standalone book set in beautiful Fiji. Anyone who purchases a copy by the end of April can enter the draw to win a Fiji family holiday at Plantation Island Resort worth $5,000!
For people who might not know about Elastic Island Adventures, can you tell us a bit about the overall concept?
Four Kiwi kids travel on an ‘elastic island’ in each book to fabulous destinations in the South Pacific. Elastic Island is not magical, but more like alternative technology. So imagine a mix of a rocket ship, a speed boat, and the foiling on an America’s Cup racing yacht, except with sand and palm trees, and it gives you a bit of an idea of how the island works.
Each book is a different adventure, where they must work together to get out of trouble or danger or problem-solve before returning home. These books are fun, fast-paced adventures with creativity and literacy at their heart and are perfect for children aged 7 to 12 years of age. They are all standalone reads, and they are set in our beautiful part of the world. Reading these books is like being on a permanent summer holiday, with a warm tropical breeze, coconut trees and sunshine! A big part of these stories is that they are retro, so there are no computers or mobile phones. The children have to work together and use their skills to get out of sticky situations using their personal skills.
What happens in the latest adventure, Plantation Island Resort?
This time the children travel to Plantation Island Resort, Fiji, and they are surprised to discover Lepani, a tiny hermit crab, hiding in their room. The poor wee thing has run away from home. He doesn’t want to be a crab anymore, and he is utterly terrified of plastic. Of course, the children want to reunite him with his family, but he is resistant, so they look after him as best they can so he can enjoy the ‘day life’ with them in the meantime. But he is accident-prone, so their big challenge is keeping him alive! This book has themes about coral conservation, the effects of plastic pollution and acts of conservation that children can do to help care for the environment.
What inspired you to write this book?
The series was inspired by Milla, the then 10-year-old in the family, who basically nagged me until I wrote the first book in the series, Jewel Lagoon. I thought it would be just a fun family project – I had no idea I’d get a publisher who would be so enthused, there are now ten books in the Elastic Island Adventures world, including a baking book and a picture book for younger children.
What research was involved?
I was so grateful to be hosted by Plantation Island Resort, Fiji, to research this book. I have been to Fiji before, but there is always a different focus when you are writing a book, and it was invaluable to be on location to write about this new adventure. While researching, I learnt a lot about hermit crabs and the specific danger that plastic pollution is creating for them, and I also learnt a lot about coral conservation.
I had the most extraordinary time at Plantation Island Resort, and the staff were so helpful with my many questions. This is a place to create memories, and everywhere I looked, families were having an incredible time together. It’s the perfect place for families as there are so many activities on offer: swimming, snorkelling, a water park, scuba diving, Bula bikes, arts and crafts, live performances, and an outstanding Coconut Kids Club programme, just to name a few. It was a real treat for my fictional children to enjoy some of the activities on offer, albeit some of them don’t go to plan while they are trying to look after accident-prone Lepani.
A highlight for me was travelling to the nearby local school where the children named the shy hermit crab in the novel. I’m also thankful that Tourism Fiji has read and approved the story, as the cultural elements needed to be correct. Fiji is renowned for its beauty and warm hospitality, and it’s so wonderful to feature Fijian culture in the new Elastic Island Adventures book.
A family holiday in Fiji is an amazing prize. How do people enter?
All people need to do is purchase a copy of any of the Elastic Island Adventures books from any good bookshop or online. and enter their details at https://www.plantationisland.com/win before 30 April. The prize includes five nights accommodation at Plantation Island Resort for two adults and two children, daily breakfast for two adults, free kids’ meals for two children aged up to 11 years, and free return Malolo Cat ferry transfers. What a fabulous prize!
What’s next on the agenda for you?
I am currently working in my first ever Elastic Island Adventures Activity Book, which is proving to be fantastic fun!