Coral Vass works to get the words just right. And that’s whether she’s writing about the Australian dubbed by many as ‘the greatest batsman who ever lived and the greatest cricketer of the 20th century’ or about two birds fighting over a perch. Her most recent books for children, Meet … Don Bradman and Two Birds on a Wire, show how her devotion’s in the detail. She’s also dedicated to creating stories kids can relate to.

Your new book for children, Two Birds on a Wire, published in September 2015 (Koala Book Company), features Little Bird Black and Little Bird Blue squabbling over the wire they’re sitting on. They’re debating who should stay and who should leave—as the one that remains will get the view. Who or what inspired this story?

Sharing is a universal struggle. For anyone who’s ever had a child—or been a child—will know sharing is something we all have to work at. And stories about sharing will always be relevant.

I’m often inspired by everyday events; things I see in and around the home; in my day-to-day activity.

When I saw two little birds fighting with each other up on a wire one day, I thought, they’re acting just like two little children, fighting over a toy, or who is taking up too much space in the backseat of the car or who was on the couch first. This sparked a story idea and soon Two Birds on a Wire was created.

Was it your intention to write a story that would enhance children’s understanding of sharing and their social skills or was this a happy by-product of the writing process?

I think it is important have a theme, but to never harp on about the moral of the story. Children are much too clever and they ‘get it’ without much explanation. My aim was to write a story that was fun, engaging and that kids would love and relate to.

Your next book for children, Meet … Don Bradman, will be published in April 2016 (Random House). What is the hardest thing about writing a children’s book that focuses on such a famous figure?

My latest book is part of the Random House Meet series. It’s out this April. The Meet … Series is a picture book series about the extraordinary men and women who have shaped Australia’s history. I was fortunate enough to write the Meet … Don Bradman story, which was a lot of fun to research, especially with three cricket-loving sons. The story focuses on Don’s early years through to his record score of 309 runs not out against England during the 1930 Ashes Series. And the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. The talented and extremely witty Brad Howe brings humour and life to this story, exceeding all my expectations.

The hardest thing about writing non-fiction is checking, double checking and triple checking that the details are correct. Added to that is the pressure of writing about and making sure the story brings due honour to this extraordinary man—Sir Donald Bradman.

How important is it for children’s authors to write about people who have shaped Australia’s history and/or social and cultural life?

I think it’s extremely important to inform and educate Australian children about the people who have shaped the history, social and cultural life of our country. It’s argued that Australian history is not particularly interesting to Australian students. However, children can read about a young, aspiring, cricket-loving lad and at the same time learn something about the Great Depression in Australia. Or children can read about a group of young Australian and New Zealand heroes who went to war for their countries, and learn about a war that affected the whole world. It’s vitally important that our children know about the people and the events that have shaped the country in which we live, and what better way to stimulate an interest in history than through the medium of a children’s picture book.

Can you give A Bigger Brighter World a sneak preview of what your readers can expect from Meet … Don Bradman?

Meet … Don Bradman gives readers an insight into Donald Bradman’s early life and cricket career. But it also paints a picture of what life was like in the early- to mid-1900s, not long after Federation and as the Great Depression started to bite in Australia. Sport had always been an important and widely accessible source of entertainment to all Australians, but at this time cricket provided a great source of pride for the spectators, especially given the rivalry with England and the way Australians continued to view themselves compared to Britain in the early 20th century.

My hope in focusing on Donald’s early years was that children would be able to identify with this international cricketing legend, who as a young boy practised every day in his own backyard, as so many Australian children still do today.

You have worked with a variety of illustrators in creating your books—Sona Babajanyan (Goodnight Possum, Good Morning Possum); Lachlan Creagh (The Hottest Dingo); Lee Wildish (The Great Bird Poo War); Heidi Cooper Smith (Two Birds on a Wire). How do you know when an illustrator is ‘the one’ for a particular story?

I try never to write illustration notes. I hope to convey the vision I have for the story in the way I write, and it’s important to remember publishing is a partnership. The illustrator contributes just as much as the author. I have loved the work of every single illustrator I have partnered with. I am in awe of their work—each one unique—and am very grateful to have worked with them.

I love that an illustrator will bring their own ideas, their own flavour and interpretation to the story. It always amazes me when the publisher finds that perfect match; the perfect illustrator to bring the story to life. It’s about trusting the people who have been in the business of publishing children’s picture books for decades. They know what they are doing. And it’s also about holding your story loosely.

The Hottest Dingo has been described as a fun introduction to some of Australia’s native animals for children aged between 3 and 7. The dingo has often been perceived negatively in Australia. Do children warm to the dingo in your story? If so, what do they like about him? If not, what other Australian animal in the book is their favourite and why?

I hope children would warm to Danny the Dingo as much as I do. Lachlan Creagh’s creation of Danny is amazing. He brings movement and fun to every page. Danny is joyful, lively and lovable … more like an adorable puppy than a menacing dingo.

Each time I visit schools as an author, I read The Hottest Dingo while the students have fun re-enacting the story with dress-ups, and everyone always wants to be Danny!

In another one of my stories though—Good Morning Possum—the Dingo is actually the villain. So the illustrations are vitally important and play a huge role in portraying the nature to each story character.

What else are you working on now? Do you have any more stories for children in the pipeline—if so, what inspired them?

I have a number of other stories in the pipeline, including another humorous rhyming story with Scholastic, and some issue-based stories with the National Library of Australia.

What’s your top tip for other authors who want to write a children’s or YA book?

I could say persevere, be true to yourself and champion others, but my top tip for both young and old aspiring authors is to never stop reading!

Which children’s or YA authors should we be watching in 2016?

Aura Parker. Aura is a phenomenal talent (author and illustrator) with two picture books coming out this year. She is definitely one to watch!

What was your favourite book or more pleasant reading experience during your childhood and why?

Any Dr Seuss book was always, and still is, a hit with me.  The man is a genius! He is clever, funny and just plain brilliant.

What are the best ways to encourage children to love reading?

The number one way to encourage children to enjoy reading is to model it. There is countless research to prove that reading to our children is extremely beneficial.

I would encourage taking children to the library and allowing them to choose their own books to enjoy. There are so many children’s books specifically designed to engage a wide age group of boys or girls, and kids will enjoy reading if it is fun. Reading should be a choice, not a chore, so allow their interests to guide their reading choices.

One of the greatest highlights for a child is when that ‘light goes on’ and they realise that they can read on their own. Celebrating their reading achievement will encourage them to keep reading.

And lastly, making sure we prioritise time in our day to read. Giving our children the opportunity to read every day will send the message that reading is important and hopefully will help develop healthy reading habits.

What three things do you most hope children will encounter and/or learn as they read or are read to?

I would hope they learn to love literature.

I would hope they realise that reading is for life.

And I would hope they develop a passion for encouraging others to read.

www.coralvass.com