Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Adrian Rose!
It’s such a pleasure to welcome author, Adrian K. Rose to the blog to share the story behind her new vibrant picture book, The Summertime Elf; An Australian Christmas Story. This gorgeous Christmas tale with a twist takes the joy of all the favourite festive delights and mixes them with our uniquely Aussie traditions, wrapped up in a heart-warming (and weather warming) story of being true to one’s elf-self. With expressive, bright and colourful watercolour illustrations by Svitlana Holovchenko, this book oozes with a classic, treasured charm. A perfect Christmas gift for loved ones near and far.
Thanks so much, Adrian! We’re (summer)-lovin’ this one! 🙂
About the Author
Adrian K. Rose is an American-Australian writer who grew up on the East Coast of the USA but now resides on the East Coast of AUS.
The thrill of binding her first book (about her summer vacation) in primary school is yet to be matched. Today, Adrian has (happily) been lost in more books than places, despite living and working in multiple countries.
Adrian holds degrees from the USA, Italy and Australia, including in Literature, International Development and Human Rights. In her free time, Adrian is usually running, reading or wrangling (children and words).
Please find Adrian K. Rose at her website at: www.adrianrosewrites.com and on Twitter/X.
Please find illustrator Svitlana Holovchenko on her website: Bildende Kunst | hotarudesign (jimdosite.com) and on Instagram.
The Summertime Elf is available for purchase at various bookstores through Adrian Rose’s website.
WHO wrote, illustrated and published this book?
The Summertime Elf is written by Adrian K. Rose, illustrated by Svitlana Holovchenko and independently published by Journey Street Press.
WHAT is it about?
The Summertime Elf is about a Christmas elf named Kirby who can’t stand the North Pole cold. While the other elves play freeze tag, build snow castles and race reindeer, Kirby stays inside alone. But when Kirby sets off on an adventure in search of warmer weather, he discovers he misses making toys more than ever – that is until Australian holiday traditions help inspire him to become his best elf-self.
What is your favourite part of this book?
My favourite part of the book is when Kirby figures out how to help Santa spread Christmas joy while still staying true to his summer-lovin’ elf-self.
WHEN did you begin writing this book?
I began writing this book in late 2021.
When is its release / launch date?
The Summertime Elf was published in March 2024.
WHERE did the inspiration for this book come from?
The Summertime Elf is inspired by my family’s experience celebrating Christmas across seasons and hemispheres, including during the winter in North America and Europe, as well as in the summer in Australia. All the elves in Christmas stories always seem to be in the North Pole, but I was certain there was plenty of love and space for elves in Australia, too. We’re lucky to be citizens of three countries in my family and that means lots of holiday fun for my kids and me.
WHY is this book meaningful to you?
Sometimes, it’s easy to think that the only way a holiday is celebrated is the way your own family does it, but across the globe, holidays are enjoyed in so many wonderful and different ways. I wanted to celebrate Christmas in the summer and share it with our (my) Northern Hemisphere friends who are used to a Winter wonderland Christmas.
Why would its message resonate with readers?
The Summertime Elf is about more than just the magical season of Christmas and a celebration of the wonderful summer holiday traditions in Australia; it is a journey of self-discovery, adventure and courage. Through the story, Kirby embraces his curiosity while seeking to find his place in elf world, one where he can be himself and share his love and strengths. The Summertime Elf shows readers we all have unique interests and talents to contribute and resilience to find our way. And it’s a reminder to always be true to your (elf) self!
HOW do you feel about the illustrations / cover design? How do they convey the feeling or mood you envisioned?
The illustrator, Svitlana Holovchenko, did a wonderful job. I am eternally grateful for her patience, talents and creativity. She captured the light and dark of winter and summer in a magical way and her watercolour illustrations give the story a classic feel. Kirby and his story have come to life better than I could have imagined thanks to her talents. She captured the diversity of seasons, places, people and experiences in her illustrations.
How have you promoted this book and how can we find it?
The Summertime Elf has been promoted by the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Australia East and the SCBWI BookStop. I have been selling (and signing) the book locally in Sydney at Christmas markets and events. It is also available through all major online book retailers in the USA, UK and Australia (Direct links: Amazon Australia, Amazon USA, Barnes and Noble, Target, Bookshop.org).
OTHER information or experiences you’d like to share?
You can connect with me on X @AdrianKRose or take a look at my website (which is a bit of a WIP, but I am trying!) at www.adrianrosewrites.com.
Thank you, Romi and Just Write For Kids, for your support and helping to promote and share wonderful books and all things kidlit!
You’re very welcome, Adrian, and congratulations on your cheery, festive delight! 🙂
#thequicksixinterview #thesummertimeelf #australianchristmas #diversity #picturebooks #justkidslit
