Exploring the Fascinating Backstories of Mia and Leo's Destructive escapades!
In a heartwarming collaboration, children's author Gillian Candler and illustrator Gavin Mouldey have joined forces to create a new book titled "Mia & Leo Go Wild!". Published by Potton & Burton, this exciting adventure story is set to captivate young readers.
Gillian, who had a misadventure of her own in the Akatarawa Forest Park, breaking her ankle, finds solace in the Ōrongorongo Track of the Remutaka Forest Park. This location holds sentimental value for her, as it serves as the setting for "Mia & Leo Go Wild!". The opening scene of the kids playing in their yard and envisioning a fantasy landscape is reminiscent of the way Gavin's own kids play.
The characters in the book, Mia and Leo, are partly dressed in hand-me-downs from Gavin's kids, including his daughter's first, yellow school bag. The mother character in the book is inspired by Gavin's wife, Rosie, making Gavin the Uncle Joe in the story. The characters Gavin drew for the book are based on his children, Lyla and Jasper.
The book centres around a family hike to the imagined Whiowhio Hut and features various outdoor obstacles. Many events described in the book have happened to Gillian or her friends and family, including forgetting gloves, boot problems, long tramps, and blisters. Even the boot sole of a character in the book comes off, and it is temporarily fixed with tape - a detail that echoes real-life experiences.
Gavin took hundreds of reference photos for the book, including of trees, undergrowth, birds, light, and shadows. The car that features at the end of the track in the book is based on the family's yellow Nissan Leaf. The book's climax, the Whiowhio Hut, is named after a real-life hut built by Anthony Behrens for Te Araroa trampers.
Interestingly, the hut in the book is loosely based on a real hut Gavin and his family reached, with details borrowed from other Kiwi huts he's visited. Gavin also included a family dog in the book, and life imitated art when a dog named Bowie came into their lives after the book was published.
Gillian drew on her own outdoor experiences and advice from the MSC team while writing "Mia & Leo Go Wild!". She explains that her love for the outdoors was sparked during a walk in bluebell woods in England. The book reflects Gillian's conflicting motivations when tramping, wanting to observe nature and reach the destination.
This collaborative effort between Gillian and Gavin promises to offer a thrilling adventure for children, while subtly imparting valuable life lessons and a deep-rooted love for the great outdoors.
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