Isabelle 

Many years ago, I wrote some of the Aussie Nibbles and Aussie Bites, and I always enjoyed writing junior fiction. Then I had the idea for the first story in this book, which is about Isabelle wanting to be awarded Star of the Week at school. When I wrote it, it felt too long for a picture book, but just right for a short story for young readers. Isabelle as a character and her world grew in my mind, and I wrote three more stories that linked in with this first one.

I think in all my books I am drawing to some extent on my own experiences growing up. This book came partly from observing kids at school, including children in my own extended family, and partly from my own experiences as a child, and my memories of childhood friendships and neighbourhood dramas. Isabelle’s world is different from mine, but the emotional landscape of our childhoods has some similarities.

Character

Isabelle is a thoughtful little girl, and she can be shy – but she’s no pushover, and quite independent. She has a strong sense of justice, and she’s a kind friend. Isabelle is artistic and creative. She loves to make rebuses (something my own daughter loved to do as a child), and draw picture letters for her friends. She likes to do the right thing, but sometimes even when you try to do the right thing, there can be problems!

Isabelle learns that it’s not always easy to be a good friend, that sometimes you need to be really brave, and that people are all different and have different reasons for behaving in the ways that they do. She also learns that life doesn’t always seem fair, but the important thing is to know that you have done the right thing, and to try to correct it when you haven’t!

Relationship between the 2 Isabelles

Isabelle and Isobel are very different people, so initially they don’t really hit it off. They are almost forced together because of their shared name. At first Isabelle is a bit frustrated by Isobel’s restless energy and lack of self-control, but she is also drawn to Isobel’s sense of fun, her quirky personality and her openness. Both Isabelle and Isobel are creative, but in different ways. Isabelle is also a sensitive child who tries hard to understand Isobel better. They become good friends.

The stories in the Isabelle books are not really separate stories as such, but more part of a web of Isabelle’s world, and each story dovetails into another. I hope you enjoy them!