Q: First tell us something about yourself.
I am studying at Queen’s Gate School in London and I am 10 years old. I have a little sister called Alexia, to whom my first book “Little Dreamer” is dedicated. Apart from books, I love dancing and everything about nature, especially the incredible fauna in Australia where my cousins live, and which inspired my characters.
Q: How and when did your journey start as a writer?
I started writing in my spare time about a year ago, and my journey as a writer started at school. My incredible teachers inspired a love of reading since I was 5 and I was determined one day to write a book other children would like to read.
Q: When did you write your first story? Is it published or not?
I started writing “Little Dreamer” when I was 9 and finished it during the summer holidays. It will be published on 24 November.
Q: Tell us something more about your book?
My book is about a little koala named Koko, whose small size seems to hold her back from achieving her dream of going to space. She doesn’t quite fit in at school and her classmates can be quite unkind, making her doubt herself even more. “Little Dreamer” is a story about discovering the power of self-belief and not letting anything hold you back. Her friends come round in the end too, and so with everyone’s support, Koko is encouraged to keep trying to reach for the stars.
Q: How did these stories and characters come to your mind?
My love of animals was my first inspiration. I had the good fortune to see many of them in the wild when we visited family in Australia and the idea for my characters was born. But the storyline is a very human one, and quite common in many young girls’ lives – how to achieve your dreams when they seem almost impossible to reach. My little sister Alexia – who is small in size, but very determined – is another inspiration for my main character Koko.
Q: Do you want to leave any message for your readers?
To all young writers out there, if you have an idea for a story, put it on paper and ask someone you trust to read it and give you feedback. You never know, that one idea might one day become your future book! And to all my readers – I hope you enjoyed Koko’s adventures and she gave you the courage to believe in yourselves, no matter what!
