Sky’s the limit for children’s writer

A BROWN Hill man is realising his creative ambitions with the release of his first children’s book titled The Seagull Who Soared.

Dave O’Neill said although he’d been word-rhyming for years through his communications career and as a poet, the idea for his newly-published work was inspired by his first child, Stevie.

“I’ve been writing poems since I was a kid and people always seemed to respond to them,” he said.

“We had Stevie in 2020 and started reading her kid’s books. I’ve always loved storytelling and it’s been part of my job as well in a way.

“I thought some of these are incredible and what a gift they are for kids. There were others where I thought I could have a go at this.”

Released through Shawline Publishing Group and with artwork from Sydney-based Illustrator Isabella Gagliano, The Seagull Who Soared launched at last month’s Clunes Booktown Festival.

In crafting the book, O’Neill said his daughter’s influence struck again during the family’s annual holiday to Stingray Bay in Warrnambool.

“Me and Stevie were chasing seagulls and I thought there’s a story in this,” he said.

“The story is about a seagull in Torquay who dreams of adventures and takes off for them looking for Stingray Bay.

“He stops at Bells Beach and Anglesea and Apollo Bay so I thought it’s also a story that can teach kids about Victoria and the coast.

“At its heart it’s a story about following your dreams and not giving up. There’s a little bit of an autobiographical element.

“Starting my career as an accountant and wanting to get in journalism seemed a mountain to climb. There was that natural doubt to it.”

With the book available at Ballarat’s two Collins outlets as well as the Brown Hill post office and children’s store Country and Vintage Babes, O’Neill said he’s felt validated by the community.

“They’ve been unbelievable,” he said. “It’s all about people with that loose connection. I’ve had neighbours and old school friends buying something like 10 copies each.”

O’Neill said he aims to continue his theme of Australian landmarks with his follow-up titled Santa Skis the Murray set to be released in November.