Christina Booth (R) celebrating the music
Who would’ve thought the simple question of “how come we have a piano stool but no piano?” asked many years ago would one day become Christina Booth’s latest children’s book Potato Music. I had the pleasure of being at the launch last Friday of this poignant new story from the Launceston based children’s author and illustrator. Stories Bookshop hosted the event, a wonderful venue if you ever want your children to develop a love for books.
Beginning as an illustrator, writing her own stories came later, and like most authors, Christina’s stories are based on her life experiences or events and situations from which she can draw ideas. Potato Music however is the first one in which she has delved into her own family history to reveal what was a disturbing time for her grandparents during World War 2 in
The story brings out the importance of family, love and integrity in the face of fear and oppression, deprivation and starvation. Keeping the family spirit alive, keeping the music alive despite the absence of the piano, was what warmed their souls and kept them going, values which are relevant no matter what circumstances we face.
So why am I singing Christina’s praises? She was the tutor for the Writing and Illustrating Children’s books course I did a few weeks ago, so there was no way I was going to miss the big launch. Michelle O’Byrne did the honours, even getting up to dance as the piano beat out some lively tunes as people chatted, munched potato wedges and queued for their signed copies.
Check out Christina’s website www.christinabooth.com for more information and other titles, including Kip which has been shortlisted for this year’s Book of the Year – Early Childhood.
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