1 Introduction to the Quokka books

Banjo: Hello! I’m Banjo Brolga and this is my blog. Welcome Vicki and Ian. You are the people to blame for the Quokka sQuad books. My first question, “Why Quokkas?”

Vicki: Well, have you seen their smiles? Quokkas look permanently happy and curious — just like the young readers for whom we’re writing.

Ian: Obviously, they are uniquely Australian. While they are native to Rottnest, we have them traveling to other parts of Australia, and perhaps further.

Banjo: You have written them as a family group. Is that realistic?

Ian: Yes. Quokkas do live in large family groupings. We chose a family with four children, and later we introduced their parents.

Vicki: We’ve also created a sibling “pecking order” based on age, which helps shape their personalities and story dynamics.

Banjo: Okay. Who are they?

Ian: The eldest is Freya — confident, outgoing and a natural leader. She can be a bit bossy, but her heart’s always in the right place.

Vicki: Next is Pippin — cheeky and endlessly curious. He’s rarely seen without his binoculars and is often lost in thought… sometimes literally wandering off!

Ian: Then there’s Tilly, shy and artistic. She sees the world through her camera lens and notices details others might miss.

Vicki: And finally, Ziggy — the quiet thinker. He’s usually nose-deep in a book and seems to absorb random facts like a sponge. His knowledge often saves the day.

Banjo: Next time, we will discuss each book.