Wendouree Pals make their winter debut

LOCAL designer and illustrator Liv Lorkin will release a heart-warming yet chilly children’s book next month.

Winter in Ballarat is Lorkin’s debut book, bringing three furry and feathered buddies to life; the Wendouree Pals.

“This book has been a creative passion project of mine for quite a number of years, but I have to do it now. The ideas are boiling over inside of me, and I need to get the creativity out,” she said.

Inspired by the historic city and its weather, Lorkin’s storybook embraces the cold, which sometimes is perceived as a negative side of Ballarat.

“If you love winter and love the cold, there’s still lots to do here. Sometimes it’s hard for children to adapt to the cold, so I thought producing the book would be a fun way to show them Ballarat is magical in this weather, and throughout the season.

“I’ve created this adorable group called the Wendouree Pals, Herbert the Koala, Lynnie the Swan, and Miss Eccles the Wombat. Miss Eccles doesn’t enjoy the cold and goes along for the ride of a day in Ballarat,” she said.

“Herbert and Lynnie show her all the magical things she can do to enjoy the cold weather. They get up to mischievous things, ride a tram, Lake Wendouree is featured… I’ve included real places children can visit around Ballarat.”

Working with Revolution Print to self-publish the book, Ms Lorkin said she feels supported and proud to collaborate with a local business.

Once Winter in Ballarat is released, she hopes the local audience connects with it and the Wendouree Pals, as she has other stories in mind for the gang.

“It’s really sparked a passion I’ve got for illustrating, and creating cute, relatable storylines and exploring themes of seasons,” she said.

“I would love to do a series of the Wendouree Pals, looking at the other seasons, and do a collection of Yarrowee Fairies stories.”

Pre-order the book or make contact at livlorkin.com.