Dramatic Accounts of Mia and Leo's Adventurous Lives Unveiled!
In the heart of New Zealand's Remutaka Forest Park, the Ōrongorongo Track serves as the backdrop for Gillian Candler's latest children's book, Mia & Leo Go Wild!. This captivating tale, a collaboration with illustrator Gavin Mouldey and publishers Potton & Burton, takes readers on a thrilling family hike to a fictional hut called Whiowhio Hut.
Gavin Mouldey, the talented illustrator, drew inspiration for the book from his own experiences and those of his family. The hut in the book, loosely based on a real hut he and his family reached during an excursion, is a blend of borrowed details from other Kiwi huts he's visited, creative license, and a dash of imagination.
The characters Mia and Leo, the book's protagonists, are partially clad in hand-me-downs from Gavin's kids, including his daughter's first, yellow school bag. Even the boot of a character, with its sole coming off and temporarily fixed with tape, reflects a real-life incident experienced by Gavin.
Gillian Candler's love for the outdoors was kindled during a walk in bluebell woods in England. This passion is evident in the book, as many events and experiences described in the story have happened to Gillian or her friends and family. The opening scene of the kids playing in their yard and envisioning a fantasy landscape mirrors the way Gavin's own kids play in their back garden.
The book's characters, Mia and Leo, have conflicting motivations that reflect Gillian's own feelings about outdoor exploration. The car that features at the end of the track in the book is based on the family's yellow Nissan Leaf.
Gavin Mouldey went on a "reference mission" to the Ōrongorongo Track for inspiration. He took hundreds of reference photos during his excursion, capturing the essence of the trees, undergrowth, birds, light, and shadows that would later become the illustrations in the book. The illustrations of Mia and Leo's home are based on details from Gavin's own home.
The book also features a family dog, and life imitated art when they later got a dog named Bowie who resembles the dog in the book. Gavin, however, did not use himself as a model for any of the characters, except for the mum who is inspired by his wife Rosie, making Gavin the Uncle Joe in the story.
The Ōrongorongo Track is considered the best family tramp in New Zealand by MSC Operations Manager, making it the perfect setting for this exhilarating children's adventure. So, grab a copy of Mia & Leo Go Wild! and embark on a journey through the enchanting New Zealand wilderness!
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