Children’s author Susea Spray will put down her anchor at the Mooroopna Library on Tuesday, October 29 to read her book A Big Blue Boat, and share the experiences that went into writing it.
A Big Blue Boat is Susea’s first book, written after an around-the-world trip with her husband.
Although while it’s her first time stepping into publication, it’s not Susea’s first time dipping her toes in literary waters.
A teacher for 23 years, Susea has dedicated a portion of her life to making media literacy learning fun for her young students.
According to herself, she has always written in one form or another, and A Big Blue Boat found it’s sea-legs in the blog she kept while sailing.
At long last Susea had found her passion and her voice.
She now shares her love of language, sailing and the sea with young and old through the eyes of a big blue boat and a young girl captain.
A Big Blue Boat, was released in March 2022 and has featured in many awards, including the 2023 Purple Dragonfly Award, the 2022 Literary Titan Silver Awards as well as being a finalist in the 2021 and 2022 Page Turner Awards.
Written for children 4–8 years old, the book is a fun, cumulative story about a boat, a girl, and the sea.
It’s different from most cumulative books in that it also tells a story. As the seas build, the boat and its Captain are introduced with the use of rhythm, rhyme, and repetition.
A Big Blue Boat is the first in the series. Based upon Susea's adventures, the book fills the niche market of realistic sailing stories for young children, particularly girls.
The sequel about life on the brine is currently being illustrated and is due for release early next year.
Susea Spray will be at the Mooroopna library on Tuesday, October 29 at 10.30am.
Bookings are essential and can be made by calling Goulburn Valley Libraries on 1300 374 765 or emailing mooroopna@gvlibraries.com.au
Copies of A Big Blue Boat will be available to buy at the event.
Susea will also stop at the Euroa Library on Thursday, October 24 at 10.30am and the Numurkah Library on Friday, October 25 at 10.30am.