Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Amy Freund!
We’re delighted to welcome debut picture book author, Amy Freund, to the blog, to share her gorgeous, exuberant and exotic new title, Amigo the Capybara! Move over sloths, capybaras are the latest and hippest mammals around, and here is Amigo, the friendliest and most energetic rodent you could ever meet! Everyone loves a quirky, dancing capybara, except Mila, the grumpy chinchilla. Reminiscent of stories like Tiddalik where rollicking performances are cast to cheer up the lead character, here too, Amigo navigates his relationship with Mila with gusto, compromise, joy and heart. With vibrantly textured and engaging illustrations by Kooky Chooky, this rhyming, expressive celebration of friendship is perfect for young party-goers and lovers of capybaras! (Who isn’t?!)
Thanks so much, Amy! We can’t wait to celebrate with you and Amigo! 🙂
About the Author-Illustrator
Amy Freund is a creative based in Melbourne. Working in the publishing industry for over eight years, Amy has extensive experience in copywriting, project management, design and concept development. Throughout her career, Amy has published a number of works as a ghost writer for a range of artists and licences including The Wiggles, Winnie The Pooh and Laura Bythman.
Her passion for writing started when she picked up her first Famous Five book inspiring a love of adventurous tales with mystery, twists and ensemble characters.
Amy holds a degree in Arts/ Visual Arts and is a passionate tea drinker. She is a certified Tea Master and hosts tea blending ceremonies every Sunday in Brunswick.Â
Amigo the Capybara is her debut children’s picture book.Â
Please find Amy Freund on Instagram at: amy_freund_writes and Facebook.
Please find illustrator Kooky Chooky (Amy Lee) on her website: KOOKY CHOOKY // ILLUSTRATION & SURFACE PATTERN DESIGN – Home and on Instagram and Facebook.
Amigo the Capybara is available for purchase from Five Mile and your local bookstore.
With thanks to Gemma Creegan and Claire Thompson for sourcing this interview.
WHO wrote, illustrated and published this book?
Amigo the Capybara is written by Amy Freund, illustrated by Kooky Chooky (Amy Lee) and published by Five Mile.
WHAT is it about?
Amigo the Capybara is a rhyming story about a fun-loving capybara who tries to get his grumpy Chinchilla neighbour, Mila, to be his friend by putting on a performance—but it goes terribly wrong! It’s a lighthearted read, touching on friendship & compromise.
What is your favourite part of this book?
My favourite part of the book would have to be the spread where he sneezes a giant ‘Ah-chooo!’. As well as being a pivotal part of the story, it’s such a fun visual piece of storytelling; the illustrations have hilarious capybara limbs flailing everywhere and a cheeky fly buzzing right up to the reader!
WHEN did you begin writing this book?
I started writing the first manuscript in August 2023, which began its life as a story about finding a capybara in the jungle (a little like ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’). It then quickly became a character-based story, and I finished the manuscript by late August and started submitting the manuscript almost immediately!
When is its release / launch date?
Amigo will be dancing onto shelves from November 1st! The official launch event is happening at Ivanhoe Library on the 24th November at 11am. There will be games, book signings, capybara-themed foods and gifts! Amigo and I would love to see you there!
WHERE did the inspiration for this book come from?
I personally love capybaras and knew I wanted to write about them in some way! At first I thought the book might be about capybaras in general. But as I researched these quirky rodents, I started to imagine what life would be like for a super friendly capybara and the antics they would get up to, as well as the sorts of animals that might not love having such a loud and friendly neighbour living next door!
WHY is this book meaningful to you?
Amigo is meaningful to me as I love making people laugh, and hope that the book book can do just that! It’s surreal for me to think that my book could become someone’s favourite or a loved bedtime story; it feels like a real ‘pinch-me’ moment!
Why would its message resonate with readers?
I think the book’s messages about friendship and compromise will connect with readers as it shows that even though we’re all different, we can still be friends and really enjoy each other’s unique personalities.
HOW do you feel about the illustrations / cover design? How do they convey the feeling or mood you envisioned?
I absolutely LOVE the cover design! The illustrations are such a gorgeous illustrative style, I love the softness of the art and the funny expressions of Mila and Amigo; they really show their personalities to perfection! The bunting and confetti throughout the book also gives a sense of fun and accentuates the ‘party’ theme of the book!
How have you promoted this book and how can we find it?
I’ll be popping up at lots of local bookstores for signings / storytimes / instore visits, as well as schools around Melbourne this November. I’d love to visit you as well!
To organise a session, please get in touch via Instagram (amy_freund_writes) or email, amyfreundwrites@gmail.com.
OTHER information or experiences you’d like to share?
Look out for the read-along version which will be launching on YouTube in December, too!
Such a fun and energetic book! Congratulations, Amy and Amy! 🙂
#thequicksixinterview #amigothecapybara #friendship #compromise #picturebooks #justkidslit
