InterviewByBook with Our Mum is Fun by Laura Hockley

Title: Our Mum is Fun
Author: Laura Hockley
Illustrator: Aliosa Tran Phan
Publisher: Evie and Gabe
Genre: Picture Book
Age Range: 0-5 years

Dear Our Mum is Fun,
It’s an honour to welcome you to our #InterviewByBook questionnaire!

Let’s begin with ‘the plug’! Please tell us a bit about yourself in the most enticing way possible.

Open my pages and find magic here. With each new scene begins the refrain “Our Mum is fun“, as the two children share each special adventure or simple thing that their Mum does to make their days full of fun. As you turn the pages, children will wait to hear that repetition and then discover through the simple prose and beautiful illustrations combined what it is that has made Mum so fun . I’m sweet, simple, accessible for young readers, and easy to read aloud both one on one and in a group. Come and battle a dragon in a blanket fort, do a cannonball into a pool, or eat a fun shaped sandwich with me.

What makes you so endearing and inspiring?

I’ve got a big claim in endearing because my author wrote a large part of me inspired by her own life and her crazy games she plays with her own children. I think I’m endearing because I take all of these “fun” moments and wrap them up in the love that is shared in the fun that fill my pages.

One of my readers said I could also be inspiring, in that I inspire families to share in special fun moments that strengthen their bonds of love. That was pretty special for me to hear.

How do you compare to other books in your approach / themes?

I think there are a lot of books on the market about family and about Mums and children, just like me. I think that what makes me different is that I am focused on how the simplest events that happen every day can be made special for my characters just because of Mum’s exuberance and love.

Who do you think your author is most similar to in terms of writing style? Why?

I think my author would probably like me to say that her writing style is like nothing and noone else, but I think that she has flashes of various authors who have influenced her, like Pamela Allen who writes relationships so beautifully, which my creator aspires to do even half as well someday.

What do you think of your illustrations / cover image? Do you have a favourite image? Why?

I love my cover image and illustrations. My creator was so loving and particular when she gave my description to our illustrator who brought me to life. My favourite image is the one where Mum and the children are jumping in puddles in the rain. I love the joyful exuberance in this one, it feels like my heart is really full to bursting. And the colours are just incredible.

What kind of effect have you had on your readers so far? What’s the craziest or most heartwarming thing someone has ever said about you?

One reader told me that her daughter immediately wanted to build a fort with her after they shared me. And I’ve been called sweet a few times.

Where is the most unusual place you’ve ever visited or been read?

I’ve been read on the toilet one time. It smelled really bad but it made the children who took me in there pretty happy.

Multiple Choice Question:
Who would you most like to be in the hands of?
a. Some totally famous author like Dr. Suess, Enid Blyton or Roald Dahl
b. Some totally famous Royal like The Queen, Prince William or the Princess of Pop
c. Some other-worldly creature that can spread the joy of your book across the entire universe
d. Some random kid you sat next to at the bus stop
e. Other. Would love to hear it!

Definitely C. To share my joy is my greatest dream.

The Nitty Gritty:
Where is your home and where can we buy you?

I live at https://www.laurahockley.com
But I work at http://www.facebook.com/evieandgabe
You can buy me via the “Shop” tab on my website or by contacting me via my Facebook page.
I’m starting my own newsletter too – so make sure to subscribe on the home page of my site.

Thanks so much for coming along and spilling all the deets about you! 😊

As a child, Laura Hockley dreamed of writing books like the ones she found herself immersed in daily. In 2017, Laura stopped dreaming and started writing after a long hiatus, and her debut picture book Our Mum is Fun was born. Laura made the decision to independently publish under the banner “Evie and Gabe”, named for her children. As a Mum of two young children, Laura daily finds inspiration and interesting stories to tell in the games she plays, the imaginary scenarios she dreams up, and the bonds of love she shares with them.
Laura is working on many new projects in 2018, which she is eager to share with the world.

#InterviewByBook #OurMumIsFun