Author Shelly Higgs sat down with Reading Time’s Maura Pierlot to share the inspiration for her debut picture book, Poppy’s Monster, and how stories can spark important conversations about fear.
What was your inspiration for Poppy’s Monster?
Day in day out for all of kindergarten and most of year one, my daughter Evie was really scared about going to school. Her fear was palpable. We had to hold her hand all the way to the playground and then give her to the willing hand of a teacher, otherwise she was beside herself upset.
We used to talk about her having a little monster in her head trying to protect her. ‘Evie, you’ve just got to lock Fear away. Put a t-towel in his mouth and shove him in cupboard where you can’t hear him.’ The closer she got, the more afraid she became. She started shaking. She started crying. ‘I don’t think I can lock Fear in the cupboard’ Evie’s big sister was exasperated. One this one day, she grabbed Evie by the shoulders, looked her in the eyes and said, ‘Evie! You don’t have to shove Fear in the cupboard. Just hold his hand and walk in with him!’
Literally ever since, Evie has walked in by herself. It was a beautiful lesson in acceptance and self-compassion.
Why do you write/create?
I create because I am propelled to. I want to share stuff with the world. I want to empower people to feel seen and understood. Story is perhaps the only thing powerful enough to dismantle bias and lack of understanding.
Tell us about the challenges.
The hardest thing was finding a publisher. It’s really tricky when you don’t know an industry and you come in blind. I’m glad the story eventually found a place, but it was a long road – many, many assessments later and a lot of contradictions. I’ve certainly learnt a lot in the process.
What did you learn?
I am a collaborator. I do my best work when I can bounce off other people. Working with a professional editor before even submitting to publishers has become my new favourite thing. It helps me know what’s working, and what isn’t, and it’s making for much stronger work.
What project do you have in the works?
I have three picture book manuscripts, an idea for two more, and I’ve just finished a funny illustrated book that I am really, really passionate about getting into the hands of 9-12 year-olds to help them understand anxiety.
How did your GradDip (Psych) inform this title?
I enrolled to study psychology after I wrote Poppy’s Monster. I wanted to understand as much as I could so I could continue to help Evie. But halfway through the course, I realised I really want to put that to use and help not only my own kids, but others too.
What are your hopes for Poppy’s Monster?
To open up a conversation about fear. To normalise feeling worried and experiencing anxiety. To help kids not feel so alone. I have just started doing a bunch of workshops in schools, which is really fulfilling.
Who does this book appeal to and how can families and children use it?
I have the most gorgeous story from my book launch. A little boy, about eight-years-old, came up and asked me to sign his copy. He told me he was buying it with his own pocket money. (Apparently, his dad had told him he was too old for picture books.) Something had just resonated with him, enough to part with his hard-earned cash. That was such a sweet moment.
Read Maura Pierlot’s review of Poppy’s Monster here.
