Sarah Milne is a mum, entrepreneur, and author of the best-selling book Kiwis and Koalas. Sarah lives by the sea in Christchurch, New Zealand with her daughter and chocolate Lab – her inspiration behind the main characters, Lily and Woof. Look closely and you will notice that Lily is wearing a cochlear implant, a way to subtly normalise differences and ensure that every child sees themselves in a picture book.
The Kiwis and Koalas series was born out of a need to bring the people and places we miss together on the page. Sarah talks to NZ Booklovers.
Tell us a little about Kiwis and Koalas: Bridge to Anywhere.
Lily’s cousins are visiting from overseas and while playing in the backyard, they stumble across her “magical bridge to Australia” it sparks the discussion of whether or not the bridge could take them anywhere in the “whole wide world”. Closing their eyes, they imagine all the people and places they miss, including those who are no longer with us. The magic of the bridge transports them across seas and through time to memories of times spent with those they love and to places they one day hope to visit.
What inspired you to write this book?
It was the much requested sequel to Kiwis and Koalas. After writing the first, readers would often say to me “oh wow, it sparked discussions with us about where we would build a bridge to” but the bookstores were personally asking me to write one that covered other parts of the world, as they often get grandparents/family members asking for such books to send to their whanau overseas.
What research was involved?
This is a great question because it was important for me to use the correct place names that are used by those who live there or are from there. For example, I would have said “America” but I had some knowledge that actually, that’s not how they refer to it themselves, so I checked with friends of mine who are from “the states” and they said “United States”. So my research was more around making sure I was correctly capturing names and places that meant something to others.
What was your routine or process when writing this book?
I think when you have a creative mind, it’s always ticking over. I’ll often be writing story lines, building characters and ideas in my mind as I’m doing the most mundane daily tasks. I’ll then jot those ideas down in the notes section on my phone and then one day, out of the blue, a deep inspiration will wash over me and all of those little pieces start coming together, so I quickly grab the opportunity and sit myself in front of the computer.
How did you work with illustrator Laura Bee?
Laura and I developed such a special bond working together through Covid on the first book in the Kiwis and Koalas series, and consider ourselves friends now. We work really collaboratively and feel really lucky to be able to do so. It’s quite an art in itself learning to take your vision from your own author mind, find a way to articulate it and then for the illustrator to be able to receive all of that and turn it into beautiful art. Kiwis and Koalas was the first children’s book either of us had worked on so there were lots of wins, learns and laughs along the way. Bridge to Anywhere required a little less collaboration because we already had the style of the first book as the blue print.
If a soundtrack was made to accompany this book, name a song or two you would include.
Pepeha
Song by Six60
Its about Whanau, mana and aroha and the last line of the song is “and all of that is me” which it perfectly articulates what this book is about.
What did you enjoy the most about writing this children’s book?
I loved being able to put some of my own favourite places and memories from around the world into a children’s book, but even more than that was speaking with friends and family about the places they miss around the world and seeing their faces light up at the thought of seeing those across the pages of a book.
What do you hope young readers will take away from reading your book?
The tools to transport their hearts and minds across seas to those they love and miss. More importantly; the idea of using something tangible, like a butterfly, as a reminder of those who have passed.
It’s hard to articulate grief to a child and I hope after reading this they can close their eyes and bring to mind people and places easily to ease that feeling of longing.
What is the favourite book you have read so far this year and why?
Why Not? By Kobi Yamada. His books always have such stunning messages and the illustrations utterly whimsical.
What’s next on the agenda for you?
Hopefully, putting more of my stories out into the world. I have some really special manuscripts I’d love to publish. But right now, navigating life with a 7-year-old and her nippy wee puppy - perhaps there’s a story there somewhere?!