My Books - Libby Hathorn

PICTURE STORYBOOKS
I'm attracted to picture storybooks because the text is a bit like writing a poem. It's generally short and often rhythmic in the reading - ideal to read out loud - and with the surprise ending, often just a sentence rounding it off nicely. There's always the thrill of working with different artists and responding to their interpretation of the text.

NOVELS
The first novels I wrote were shorter and for younger readers just starting out with chapter books, like The Lenski Kids and Dracula. My initial young adult book Thunderwith, took two years for me to complete and was the beginning of writing for this exciting audience.

POETRY, SONGS AND ONLINE PRESENTATIONS
Many of my stories have begun as a few lines of poetry and some of my texts are written in poetry form, like Magical Ride for young readers, or Volcano Boy, a verse novel for older readers. Poems, by their nature, are well suited to being set to music and I'm lucky to have worked with a wonderful composer. Going online with poetry is just another way to present my favourite form of writing.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Just as it's exciting to learn something new, there's also a real joy in teaching something new too. I've drawn on my own writing experiences in these texts and videos which talk about the inspiration for story as well as the nuts and bolts of writing. I believe both are important in a good story or poem.