Philip Bunting

No! I honestly didn’t know you could make a living from something so great as writing and illustrating books! I always thought I’d have to get a proper job (which I did…). But here’s a tip – if you work hard, be kind, and keep a good sense of silliness about you at all times, there’s a very good chance you could do it too

I have been writing and illustrating books since I was knee-high to a newt. For as long as I can remember, I’ve made books. The books from those early years might not stand up so well these days, but I’ve been making them since I was about three years old. When I grew up, I went through school, university, and then got a proper job … and stopped making books for a bit. But then one day – when I became a dad – I rediscovered my love of books, and decided to make one as gift for my daughter’s first birthday.

That book was Mopoke, my first published book, and I haven’t stopped making books (or babies) since!

Wombats (…square poo).

In order of preference, and all the while reading a good book, of course:

1. 1. As little as possible
   2. Slip ‘n slide
   3. Surf

1. Swim
2. Stay cool (it’s so hot up here in Queensland in the summer…)

My favourite curious read at the moment has to be Du Iz Tak? – a wonderful picture book by an American author-illustrator called Carson Ellis. This simple story follows a group of bugs and insects in a back yard, through the course of a year. But the idea that makes the book so captivatingly curious, is that the entire story is written in ‘bug’ language – which at first seems nonsensical, but soon enough you find yourself translating their questions and phrases into English.

Another charmingly curious read is The Lost Words, by English author Robert Macfarlane. This book of poems – or “spells”, as the author prefers – seeks to rekindle the lost words associated with everyday nature. The language Robert uses to cast his spells – about acorns, kingfishers, otters, brambles and alike – is so rich and vital, this book will instantly connect with anyone who sees the awe and magic in the natural world that surrounds us.