What does our sweet pigeon Pippa want more than anything in this big wide world? Answer: freedom! But that’s a lot harder to come by when you are blessed with the task of babysitting not one, but TWO new baby brothers! Welcome to the nest, Pepi and Penn! Dimity Powell and Andrew Plant have brought even more flapping fun to the Pippa series with their spirited pigeon characters in a splendid squabble of adjusting to new family dynamics – Pippa and the Troublesome Twins! Love this trio! 🙂
About the Author
Award winning children’s author, Dimity Powell, loves filling every spare moment with words. She writes and reviews exclusively for children with over 30 published stories and is the Managing Editor for Kids’ Book Review . Picture books are her jam. Her latest titles include, Pippa and The Troublesome Twins (2023), This is My Dad (2022), Oswald Messweather (2021), Pippa (2019), the SCBWI Crystal Kite 2019 award-winning At the End of Holyrood Lane (2018), and critically acclaimed, The Fix-It Man (2017) also available in simplified Chinese. Dimity is a seasoned presenter who can’t surf despite living on the Gold Coast and still dreams of flying.
Discover more at www.dimitypowell.com
Insta: @dimityspowell | YouTube: @dimityspowell |
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Blogsite for DIM’SreVIEWS: Dim’s Write Stuff blog
WHO wrote, illustrated and published this book?
I, the amazing, wingless Dimity Powell ( 😊 ) wrote the book and Andrew Plant, who illustrated the original, Pippa, supplied the beautiful artwork. Published by Ford Street Publishing.
WHAT is it about?
Pippa and The Troublesome Twins is the next exciting episode in our plucky little pigeon, Pippa’s life as she learns to overcome the disruption of new family members and realises the value of siblings.
What is your favourite part of this book?
I love the part where Pippa overcomes her urge to flee a dangerous situation in favour of defending her baby brothers. This scene really captures the determined ferociousness a so called ‘peaceful’ pigeon can display when threatened. Pippa really champions, stepping up as a big sister.
WHEN did you begin writing this book?
October 2019. Pippa #1 released that year and after several school visits and lots of positive online feedback and requests for what the next adventure might entail, I thought, why not? I was curious to know what happened to Pippa next, too!
When is its release / launch date?
Publication Date: June 2023
Brisbane Launch: 8 July 2023. I think Andrew has something planned for Melbournians, too!
WHERE did the inspiration for this book come from?
Pigeons, where else! The pigeons I kept in my backyard as a kid were a terrific source of inspiration for both books. Pigeons are prolific breeders and their ‘twin’ offspring are among the nosiest, most demanding of baby birds. Sibling jealousy and the feeling of displacement is not new to picture book stories but it has never before been told from an avian point of view. I thought that would be fun! Young readers instantly recognise this common family dynamic from their own situations while simultaneously learning even more about one of our most fascinating bird species, the homing pigeon.
WHY is this book meaningful to you?
Both Andrew and I felt Pippa had more to share. It’s wonderful to see her take flight again, sharing her passion for discovery and adventure with her siblings. To me, this is one of the best things about having brothers and sisters; that scared feeling of camaraderie and trooping off into the unknown, together. Plus, I think pigeons are underrated and misunderstood. It’s gratifying hearing youngsters share their newfound knowledge of pigeons with me during school visits. This is the true magic of storytelling – expanding horizons and enriching realisations. A bit like the theme of these Pippa titles!
Why would its message resonate with readers?
Kids seem to relate to the cheek and sass Pippa possess whilst recognising her innate goodness despite her constant desire to just ‘take off’ and play or explore. Those with siblings will also relate to the shift in dynamics a new family member can cause. It need not even be a sibling: it might be a foster child, a new pet (that is not specifically theirs), an elderly family member moving in. Whatever the circumstances, change is unsettling, disruptive and frustrating for many young children who may struggle to understand its wider implications. Pippa helps them realise that they are not alone in this respect and feelings of inequity are common and normal. Even Pippa struggles to accept her brothers’ presence despite loving them.
HOW do you feel about the illustrations / cover design? How do they convey the feeling or mood you envisioned?
I love them! Andrew is a fine artist who is able to capture the elements of nature in bold assured strokes. I especially love the cover which sums up the whole ‘troublesome twins’ vibe perfectly! However, one of my favourite spreads is towards the end when Pippa finally reaches her goal along with two new little allies. It’s breathtaking and epitomises the rewards of an outward looking, positive attitude towards life.
How have you promoted this book and how can we find it?
You’ll find Pippa and her twin brothers roosting on both mine and Andrew’s websites. There is a loft full of exciting fun activities, worksheets and teachers’ notes to download on my website, www.dimitypowell.com as well. Pippa also hangs out with our publisher, Ford Street Publishing. You can order her story directly there or from any good book shop. Both titles are found online, as well.
Pippa will be taking flight in Brisbane’s West End early July and I’ll be visiting various SE QLD bookshops during the winter school holidays for story time and craft sessions. Of course, Pippa will be following me everywhere!
OTHER information or experiences you’d like to share?
Visit my website or blog for updates on venues where you can meet the real Pippa, hear her story, and meet me or Andrew! We are both in Queensland for 2023’s Book Week, as well. There is nothing Pippa enjoys more than meeting school kids!
If you’d like your own ‘pigeon pair’, just write to Pippa and me. Coo coo cool double signed book packs of Pippa (#1) and Pippa and The Troublesome Twins are available at a special price!
Yes! We’d love that! Thanks so much, Dimity (and Pippa)! Can’t wait to see you take flight! 🙂
#thequicksixinterview #pippaandthetroublesometwins #siblings #picturebooks
5 thoughts to “The Quick Six Interview with Dimity Powell”
I had sky-high fun putting this one together on behalf of Pippa! Thanks so much for allowing Pip and her bros in for a visit!!
We had sky-high fun talking with you about Pippa and her bros! Can’t wait to share in this wonderful feather-raising adventure! xx
I loved Pippa’s first flight, and this one sounds just as delightful. I can’t wait to read it.
Thanks for your helpful comments, Norah!! Yes, Pippa is just as superb this time around, with two more little squeakers to join the fun! 🙂 xx
Awesome!