Karen Tyrrell Sings like a Song Bird Superhero

The Just Write For Kids team love the dedication and passion of resilience and bullying specialist, Karen Tyrrell, who is always so generous with sharing her inspirations, strategies and words of encouragement with the community. So, thank you Karen, for enlightening us with your motivations behind your latest release; a book packed full of positive messages for children – Song Bird Superhero. 

Your books; Song Bird Superhero, Bailey Beats the Blah, STOP the Bully and the Jo-Kin series address the issue of bullying, helping readers deal with their own experiences.
What inspired you to write about bullying for children?

At school, I was bullied terribly in Year 6. I empowered myself by joining the choir and singing. Singing boosted my self-confidence and self-esteem.

What useful life skills are addressed in Song Bird Superhero?

Subtle positive messages are woven into the humorous adventure story: self –belief, girls can do anything, bully prevention and STEM science.
Rosella Ava Bird enlists a support team to help her stop the bully: her family, friends and her teacher and mentor Miss Darling. Rosie’s side-kick Amy, a kick-ass mighty girl has cerebral palsy. She’s an inspirational character of diversity who dispels stereotypes.
Rosie learns how to believe in herself, harness her singing power and solve problems through humour and science. This gives Rosie the power to fly and stop the bully.

How did the idea of the story come about?

Girl readers of Jo-Kin Battles the It and Jo-Kin vs Lord Terra begged me to write a superhero story with a powerful girl as the main character. I remembered my own struggles as a young girl with bullying and how I empowered myself with self-belief, singing and science. The story started off as a scifi fantasy adventure, evolving into a fully-fledged superhero story

What is the significance of flying for you?

By day, I was being bullied at school. By night, I dreamed wondrous flying dreams where I could escape my attacker and zoom high above the world. To me, flying means empowering your imagination, to embrace your inner strength.

How will the flying concept be received by your readers?

Children yearn to fly, to rise above the world. Flying is the imaginative wish of kid’s dreams. All kids long to take flight like a superhero or a winged creature.

How do you hope for your book to uplift, empower and give courage to your readers, especially girls, to triumph over challenges?

Song Bird Superhero empowers kids to stop the bully, believe in themselves and connect with their inner superhero. Rosella Ava Bird and her side-kick Amy Hillcrest are real everyday heroes. They prove girls can do anything: especially STEM science.

How have you incorporated STEM Science into Song Bird?

Every super power that Rosie utilizes is explained by STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths in simple language, children can understand. Song Bird uses her voice in different ways for different powers. Each power has a super effect on the world around her.

What’s your favourite science activity from your STEM resources?

Check out ‘Science of Super Powers’ (Curriculum Package from STEMfinity.com).

FREE Teacher Resources and kids’ activities for Song Bird!
Includes STEM science, creative writing, flying history, art, craft, maths, literacy, drama, social skills and bully prevention. Download HERE.

Song Bird Superhero is now available in bookshops & on Amazon in print & eBook HERE.

Thank you so much, Karen! It’s always a pleasure learning more about you and your fabulous books! 🙂

Find out more about Karen Tyrrell at her website and Facebook page.

***Song Bird Book Giveaway***

Let’s celebrate the release of Song Bird Superhero by Karen Tyrrell on Amazon!
Answer the question below in the comments for your chance to WIN a FREE ‘Limited Edition’ signed copy of Song Bird!

*Question:

Why do you want to win Song Bird Superhero?

Giveaway closes on October 20, 2016.

Good luck!