Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Josie Montano!
It’s a pleasure to welcome back accomplished author, Josie Montano to the blog! Josie featured here in 2019 with Kathy Hoopman to share the release of their The Secret Science Society’s Spectacular Experiment. Today she talks to us about her unique, colourful and profound picture book, Iris and the Rainbow Day; a captivating tale of learning to cope with unexpected changes to the routine – a concept very familiar to our current times. Thanks for being here, Josie! 🙂
About the Author
Josie loves colour too, especially bright colours that light up her day. She grew up in a country town where the drizzly weather made her imagination sparkle on paper. From age 9 she shelved her homemade books in the school library and received her first rejection letter from Golden Books at 13. Decades later, Josie now has over 60 published resources and also a short film that she wrote and produced.
Please follow Josie Montano at these links:
Website: www.booksbyjosie.com.au
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
WHO wrote, illustrated and published this book?
Iris and the Rainbow Day, a picture book written by Josie Montano, illustrated by Andrea Peixoto Emmerick and published by Maclaran-Cochrane Publishing, USA.
WHAT is it about?
Iris is a unique and charming little girl whose daily ritual is to live a different colour of the rainbow. She only wears clothing of that colour, eats food of that shade, and plays with toys or games of that tint.
But one red day her mum forgets to wash her red clothes, they can’t find any red food at the markets and her red book is missing.
How does Iris handle this out-of-control situation?
With her mum’s help, Iris figures out that she can have rainbow days.
What is your favourite part of this book?
My favourite part is when Iris has a realisation that everything will be ok, it’s not the end of the world, and she has a new layer of resilience and confidence with her new outlook on life.
WHEN did you begin writing this book?
I wrote about Iris in 2011, 10 years ago!
When is its release / launch date?
It was released in May 2021 and officially launched 2 months later in July, 2021.
WHERE did the inspiration for this book come from?
From observing children and not only their obsessive behaviours eg: following trends or obsessions (unicorns/fairies/frozen), but anxieties around change, and how sometimes the special interest can be colours of clothing or foods and the comfort that some colours bring, the safety and predictability.
WHY is this book meaningful to you?
I think there’s a little Iris in everyone, including me. I love colours and I love to mix and match and ‘colour’ myself in each day.
Why would its message resonate with readers?
This story is about how children can become obsessive with objects or activities so as to make sense of them or life, or to feel comfortable and in control. This scenario shows that it’s not the end of the world when something goes wrong, it’s OK, and with the help from others you can work through your anxieties and find a resolution to move forward.
Also, as adults, sometimes we forget that we can still explore with colours and brighten not only our day, but others by not being afraid to dress in bright colours to express our emotions and feelings.
How have you promoted this book and how can we find it?
We held a book launch in July and sold out! There have also been many books ordered via my social media pages, and there will be some upcoming blogs and articles that feature the book.
You can purchase the book online (World of Books) or contact me directly as I keep stock on hand and can personally autograph copies.
OTHER information or experiences you’d like to share?
This book is Dyslexic inclusive; it is printed in a font that everyone can read, including people with dyslexia.
Thanks so much for joining us and sharing your wonderful story, Josie! 🙂
