Interview with Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern!
We’re so thrilled to speak again with the talented international award-winning author, Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern, about her latest series for early readers; Ariana Treasure. Jacqueline has a knack for touching hearts with her stories, often centring around important life values and virtues. The first two titles, The Missing Book and The Secret Ingredient, radiate with warmth and spirit, fun and suspense – absolutely perfect for newly independent readers.
Thanks so much for these treasures, Jacqueline!🙂
About the Author
Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern is an international award-winning author who adores exploring all the world has to offer! Her appreciation of travel and uniqueness of culture has been captured in the pages of her books.
Jacqueline was the recipient of the ACT Writers Centre 2017 Anne Edgeworth Fellowship. Her books have been recognised for a number of awards within Australia and internationally, including winning the travel category of the 2020 American Book Excellence Awards and being shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards in 2017 and 2019.
Jacqueline regularly contributes to a variety of online platforms and has appeared at several literary events, including the Canberra Writers Festival, the Goulburn Reader Writer Festival, NSW Kids & YA Festival and the Noted Writers Festival.
Jacqueline endeavours to encourage her readers to learn more about the world, supporting an empathetic and inclusive community. She currently resides in Canberra, holds a Masters in International Development and works in international affairs. Jacqueline is the founder of the Story Creators Community, assisting aspiring creatives on their creative journey.
Please find Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern at her website: HOME – de-Rose Ahern Stories and on Instagram and Facebook.
About the Illustrator
Karen Erasmus is an illustrator based in a charming bayside town near Melbourne, Australia.
Karen’s artwork is all about vibrant colours, captivating characters, and storytelling. Since 2011, she’s had the joy of illustrating for children’s book publishers and various businesses. When she’s not immersed in drawing and designing, you’ll find Karen sewing or out cycling, enjoying the great outdoors.
Please find Karen Erasmus at her website: Karen Erasmus Illustration and Art and on Instagram and Facebook.
The Ariana Treasure books are available for purchase through Wombat Books.
Congratulations on the recent releases of your special new early reader series, Ariana Treasure, with the first two titles, The Missing Book and The Secret Ingredient!
I believe you know a little ‘treasure’ the name of the books are based upon! What was your main inspiration for this series?
Growing up, my mum would volunteer at a local charity shop/thrift shop. I used to go along with her. I loved how the shop would bring the community together. It was here that I also learned the true benefits of thrift shops in reducing waste, promoting sustainable consumer habits and supporting a circular economy. I also liked the idea of upcycling and the thrill of the hunt when it came to preloved shopping. I began to see the positives for our environment and the community.
I really wanted to share my early childhood memories visiting the thrift shop with my mum through these stories and the value around swapping items with friends, family and others in the community. Items that you may no longer use or need, soon become treasured possessions for others. This was the concept behind Ariana Treasure and the Treasure Chest.
My daughter’s name is Ariana too. Her character definitely inspired the series as well. She loves helping her friends and finding the precise items to cheer them up when needed. My daughter read the stories before I submitted them and the main character at the time had another name, but she really identified with her and convinced me to rename the character Ariana. It fit perfectly.
Please tell us a bit about your endearing character, Ariana, and what she learns from her various adventures, particularly with making new friends (The Missing Book) and competing in competitions (The Secret Ingredient)!
Ariana is a fun-loving, quick thinking, thoughtful and considerate young girl.
She loves helping her mum at the Treasure Chest – the best thrift shop in town! She likes to find the perfect item for her friends. Ariana is great at problem solving and is often the one saving the day.
In The Missing Book, Ariana attempts to make a friend with a new kid in town, but he wants nothing to do with her. She tries to find the perfect item to help him settle into the community, however at the same time her favourite book goes missing. Ariana manages to find a solution but goes through a few challenges to get there. Through the story, Ariana learns more about empathy, grief, loss and how a friendship can be formed by showing compassion and understanding.
In The Secret Ingredient, there is a food truck competition in town. Ariana’s friends Hunter and Jake want to help their parents make the perfect dish in their food truck to win the competition. The only problem is the two boys don’t believe they can cook. Ariana helps them find the secret ingredient to make a standout dish. Through the story, Ariana and her friends learn the power of teamwork, cooperation and how winning is not always the most important outcome.
What was the process like in writing this series? Did you plan the six stories from the beginning, or did they organically develop over time? What was your favourite part of writing the Ariana Treasure books?
The concept for the Ariana Treasure series has been bubbling within me for some time so when it came to writing these stories the words flew onto the page. I actually wrote the six stories in a different order and when it came to pitching them, I sent books two and three with an outline of the others. Working with my publisher, it became evident The Missing Book should be the first in the series and we reordered the sequence.
I have to thank my writing buddies too, as they read many drafts of these stories. They also helped with brainstorming ideas for each book in the series.
My favourite part of writing the Ariana Treasure books was reflecting on my childhood to draw inspiration for these stories. I also just fell in love with all of the characters as I wrote them. I love the strong sense of community weaved into this series. It has been a very heartwarming experience.
Working with my publisher has also been such a positive experience. I’m so grateful for their belief in these stories and their help with refining them where needed. I’m so pleased with how these books have turned out.
Your setting for the series takes place in a thrift shop where Ariana uses the treasures to solve various problems. There are lovely integrated themes of living sustainably as well as a sense of community. What is the main takeaway message/s you’d like readers to gain from reading these books?
There’s treasure to be found everywhere. An item you may no longer need might be just what your friend or someone in your community needs, and vice versa. I hope this series inspires readers to look out for each other and to lend a hand when they see someone facing a challenge.
Your illustrator, Karen Erasmus, has done a gorgeous job of bringing the characters to life with plenty of emotion and personality. What do you love most about her work, and were you able to collaborate much during the process?
Oh my goodness! There’s so much I adore about the work of Karen Erasmus. I have admired her work from afar and to have her be the illustrator of this series is so wonderful. She really brought Ariana and her community to life in the most beautiful way. When I first saw the illustrations, I could really tell Karen could see what I was trying to convey. I love the charm of the characters, her use of colour on the book covers and the consistency she has brought to the characters throughout the series. I’m just in awe of illustrators like Karen. So delighted to have her be part of this series.
We never really communicated whilst working on the books, but we have connected after. I wanted Karen to feel free to illustrate the stories the way she thought they should be illustrated. I think illustrators should have that freedom to create and play with the story as much as the author does when writing it. Their personal vision really helps elevate a story.
In what ways do you personally relate to Ariana and the world she lives in?
As mentioned before, these stories are really deep rooted in my childhood. I relate to Ariana a lot. Ariana’s relationship with her mother is similar to the one I share with mine – we have lots of fun together and I always learn a lot from her. Similarly, her relationship with her grandfather who has sadly passed away is something I can relate to, my grandfather passed away when I was young too. It was hard! My grandfather and I were very close. It took a lot of time to move past the grief, but I found ways to really honour his memory. Still to this day, my stories are often crafted with him in mind.
I am also all about community. I really love forming connections with those around me. I love small towns, too – I love how you can get to know everyone, and the friendships formed in these special places. Growing up, I lived in a few small towns.
And finally, I relate to how special the Treasure Chest is for Ariana. Who doesn’t love a thrift/charity shop? There are so many positives.
Anything else you’d like to share about yourself or Ariana Treasure?
I just really hope Ariana becomes a friend to young readers. I hope these stories are enjoyed and treasured.
Thanks so much for the opportunity to find out more about your beautiful new series, Jacqueline! 😊
Click here or on the image for details about the Ariana Treasure Book Launch!
Please find Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern at her website: HOME – de-Rose Ahern Stories and on Instagram and Facebook.
Please find Karen Erasmus at her website: Karen Erasmus Illustration and Art and on Instagram and Facebook.
The Ariana Treasure books are available for purchase through Wombat Books.
Join in the excitement with Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern and her charming Ariana Treasure, gifting readers with treasured delights across the blogosphere!
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