Seen Any Weather Fish Lately?
John Parker was 14 when he entered the dark and dangerous world of the rugby scrum for the first - and last time. Upon emerging, he immediately decided to take up hockey. It was a wise move, even though it incurred frequent dentistry bills.
But he's delighted to be involved for the third year running in a picture-book partnership with famous All Black Keven Mealamu, who not only loves scrums but loves illustrating, too. As Barfoot & Thompson's Sponsorship Ambassador, Keven has now illustrated two books. The first is a 32-page picture-book entitled Room 22 and the Giant Caterpillar, co-written by John with Room 22 at Massey's Colwill School. Room 22, with the help of class teacher Carleen Thomas, came out ahead of 70 other schools in the inaugural 2008 competition run by Barfoot & Thompson to choose a story-line which could be made into a book.
The second picture-book is The Weather Fish. Both books have been given, through the Magic of Reading programme, to every child who is admitted for one or more nights to the Starship Hospital in Auckland or the Children's Ward at Whangarei Hospital. And the proceeds from all public sales go to improvements at Starship.
Launched in November 2009 at Ahipara School and then over TV3 at Starship Hospital, The Weather Fish is also for sale from Barfoot & Thompson's website, while Keven Mealamu's original illustrations and signed copies have been auctioned on Trade Me.
John Parker was 14 when he entered the dark and dangerous world of the rugby scrum for the first - and last time. Upon emerging, he immediately decided to take up hockey. It was a wise move, even though it incurred frequent dentistry bills.
But he's delighted to be involved for the third year running in a picture-book partnership with famous All Black Keven Mealamu, who not only loves scrums but loves illustrating, too. As Barfoot & Thompson's Sponsorship Ambassador, Keven has now illustrated two books. The first is a 32-page picture-book entitled Room 22 and the Giant Caterpillar, co-written by John with Room 22 at Massey's Colwill School. Room 22, with the help of class teacher Carleen Thomas, came out ahead of 70 other schools in the inaugural 2008 competition run by Barfoot & Thompson to choose a story-line which could be made into a book.
The second picture-book is The Weather Fish. Both books have been given, through the Magic of Reading programme, to every child who is admitted for one or more nights to the Starship Hospital in Auckland or the Children's Ward at Whangarei Hospital. And the proceeds from all public sales go to improvements at Starship.
Launched in November 2009 at Ahipara School and then over TV3 at Starship Hospital, The Weather Fish is also for sale from Barfoot & Thompson's website, while Keven Mealamu's original illustrations and signed copies have been auctioned on Trade Me.
Keven & John with
Colwill School children
Colwill School children
In 2009 well over a hundred schools entered the competition. The winning entry came from Room 10, taught by Jody Fraser, in Ahipara School, which nestles in a beautiful part of the Far North in the hook of Ninety Mile Beach. In late July, during a two-day visit to Ahipara, John workshopped more ideas and possibilities with Room 10's 11 and 12 year-olds, then wrote the book The Weather Fish, for Kevin to illustrate.
Class 10 of Ahipara School, with Keven, John, and teacher Jody Fraser
... And again in 2010
John is looking forward to a third year with Keven Mealamu and the Barfoot and Thompson team. He can report that there were over 150 entries for the 2010 competition, and they displayed much skill and hard work. After much discussion, John and the judging team, which included Keven Mealamu, chose a detailed and well-worked idea from the year 7-8s at Waiau Pa School, located on the southern side of the Manukau Harbour in south-west Auckland. John will work with the winning class in late June and early July to develop the story - which has a writing implement as one of its main characters! - and turn it into a book.
John is looking forward to a third year with Keven Mealamu and the Barfoot and Thompson team. He can report that there were over 150 entries for the 2010 competition, and they displayed much skill and hard work. After much discussion, John and the judging team, which included Keven Mealamu, chose a detailed and well-worked idea from the year 7-8s at Waiau Pa School, located on the southern side of the Manukau Harbour in south-west Auckland. John will work with the winning class in late June and early July to develop the story - which has a writing implement as one of its main characters! - and turn it into a book.
Another Lightning Strikes Novel
Another Lightning Strikes novel for Walker Books Australia
Remember Sucked In, John's first novel for the Walker Books Lightning Strikes imprint? About a creepy eye that vertically-challenged Zainey had bought from a mysterious advertisement?
John's followed this up with another Lightning Strikes title for Walker Books, called Sucked Out. Just released, Sucked Out has plenty of surprises for Zainey, Caro and Dan as they deal with the eye's reappearance at Granley High School. And there's also a new character - Fleabag, the school cat!
Another Lightning Strikes novel for Walker Books Australia
Remember Sucked In, John's first novel for the Walker Books Lightning Strikes imprint? About a creepy eye that vertically-challenged Zainey had bought from a mysterious advertisement?
John's followed this up with another Lightning Strikes title for Walker Books, called Sucked Out. Just released, Sucked Out has plenty of surprises for Zainey, Caro and Dan as they deal with the eye's reappearance at Granley High School. And there's also a new character - Fleabag, the school cat!
Storylines 2010
The Auckland section of this year's Storylines Festival will see John appearing again from 20-22 August. He's in schools for the Auckland Story Tour, conducting a writing workshop, and taking part in the Free Family Day.
The Auckland section of this year's Storylines Festival will see John appearing again from 20-22 August. He's in schools for the Auckland Story Tour, conducting a writing workshop, and taking part in the Free Family Day.
Rights Available
As a result of rights reverting or as a casualty of mergers and takeovers, the following four titles by John Parker are available for re-publication.
As a result of rights reverting or as a casualty of mergers and takeovers, the following four titles by John Parker are available for re-publication.
Text and cartoon
Professor Ponsonby, McIntosh, and the Wool Bug, illustrated by Philip Webb, 64pp, ages 7-12. Originally published by Harper Collins for its Tui Turbo imprint. About an eccentric professor, ably assisted by his cat, McIntosh, who manages to save Baaville and its sheep from the dreaded Wool Bug. This title has been turned into a play, produced by the Orewa United Players.
This book is available from Wheelers Bookshop.
ISBN 1-86950-133-0
Professor Ponsonby, McIntosh, and the Wool Bug, illustrated by Philip Webb, 64pp, ages 7-12. Originally published by Harper Collins for its Tui Turbo imprint. About an eccentric professor, ably assisted by his cat, McIntosh, who manages to save Baaville and its sheep from the dreaded Wool Bug. This title has been turned into a play, produced by the Orewa United Players.
This book is available from Wheelers Bookshop.
ISBN 1-86950-133-0
Flash Ashley, illustrated by Jeffy James, 64pp, ages 8-13. Originally published by Harper Collins for its Tui Turbo imprint. About young Ashley Watkins, a thunder-storm enthusiast, whose encounter with a lightning-bolt transforms his head into a light-bulb and his speech into seventeenth-century English – which just happens to make him the ideal lead in the production of Romeo and Juliet. Good for introducing young readers into Shakespeare. This title has also been turned into a play, produced by Gecko Theatre.
This book is available from Wheelers Bookshop.
ISBN 1-86950-113-6
This book is available from Wheelers Bookshop.
ISBN 1-86950-113-6
Picture Books
Hurry-Scurry, illustrated by Philippa Stichbury, 21pp, ages 4-7. Originally published by Scholastic NZ for its Read by Reading imprint. A graphic rhyming text about racing home to beat a looming purple-black thunder-storm. Dramatic water-colour images. Useful text to complement weather projects.
This book is available from Scholastic +64-9 274 8112.
ISBN 1-86943-163-4
Hurry-Scurry, illustrated by Philippa Stichbury, 21pp, ages 4-7. Originally published by Scholastic NZ for its Read by Reading imprint. A graphic rhyming text about racing home to beat a looming purple-black thunder-storm. Dramatic water-colour images. Useful text to complement weather projects.
This book is available from Scholastic +64-9 274 8112.
ISBN 1-86943-163-4
Old Toby, illustrated by Julie Roil, 30pp, ages 4-9. Originally published by Scholastic NZ for its Read by Reading imprint. A rhyming text about the selective hearing of old Toby, a cat who sleeps through everything thrown at him from before dawn to dusk by the music-loving cat next door. A useful text to complement music projects, with bold edgy illustrations. A popular book as a read-to for younger children.
This book is available from Scholastic +64-9 274 8112.
ISBN 1-86943-106-5
This book is available from Scholastic +64-9 274 8112.
ISBN 1-86943-106-5
