AFTER releasing his first children\u2019s book in April this year, author Dave O\u2019Neill has followed up with his second release just in time for Christmas.<\/p>\n
Created with returning illustrator Isabella Gagliano, Santa Skis the Murray was launched just prior to SpringFest, and centres around the titular Claus crashlanding in the Murray River.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Neill said much like his debut work, the book was inspired by family connection.<\/p>\n
\u201cMe and my family grew up waterskiing on the Murray,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019d go to Torrumbarry every Christmas and water ski all summer,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy dad owned Skin Ski and Surf here so we grew up talking water skiing and one of my brothers Pete runs ski shows at Lake Mulwala. It\u2019s a big part of our family.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was Christmas time last year when the spark hit. Pete was involved with the story and illustrations to make sure it looked legitimate, little things like what position Santa would be in.\u201d<\/p>\n
In keeping with its influence, the book is being stocked along the Murray, at Dymocks in Albury, Collins Booksellers in Echuca and Mildura, and Skin Ski Surf locations at Yarrawonga.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Neill\u2019s goal is to sell 500 copies before Christmas, a target he said he\u2019s tracking well with.<\/p>\n
In Ballarat, the book can be found at both Collins outlets as well as Skin Ski and Surf, and the Brown Hill post office.<\/p>\n
Released through Shawline Publishing, O\u2019Neill said he\u2019s humbled by the continued support of the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew Ballarat was a great place to be in terms of the community feel but people here like to celebrate our own and get behind each other which means everything to me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Neill will aim to release his third book called Wombats Can\u2019t Surf next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a story about resilience laced with some good humour,\u201d he said. \u201cHopefully it\u2019s surrounding a topic that is close to many Australians\u2019 hearts with surfing.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AFTER releasing his first children\u2019s book in April this year, author Dave O\u2019Neill has followed up with his second release just in time for Christmas. Created with returning illustrator Isabella Gagliano, Santa Skis the Murray was launched just prior to SpringFest, and centres around the titular Claus crashlanding in the Murray River. O\u2019Neill said much […]<\/p>\n