Want to get to know some of the incredible creative minds behind the Your Next Read junior fiction novels? Read on!
Kate and Jol Temple are the internationally awarded authors of more than 40 books for children. Their work has been translated into over 20 languages.
They write picture books (including the smash-hit series Bin Chicken) as well as bestselling junior fiction, and recent favourite Mega Rich Guinea Pigs. Kate also writes her own middle-grade dark fantasy series, and Jol has teamed up with Dave Conley for the Ludicrous Legends series. Their work is hilarious, playful, outrageous and full of heart.
Kate and Jol live in Sydney. When they are not writing books, they love getting out to schools and festivals to talk to kids about the pleasure of reading and inspire the next generation of young writers.
And now Kate and Jol have brought all of their writing talents to ‘Escape From Planet Milkshake’, illustrated by Briony Stewart, one of four launch titles in the Your Next Read Gold series (for readers aged 7-9) released this month.
We asked Kate and Jol to share their secrets – and to take our Your Next Read Icons challenge!
YKNR: Why did you choose THIS story to write for the Your Next Read series?
Kate and Jol: ‘We had a really out-there, fast-paced idea, almost too ridiculous to be published. But we knew that this is what kids want! Enter Your Next Read….’
What are you thinking about when you are writing a story for readers 7+? How are they different from younger or older readers?
Kate and Jol: ‘Keep it moving! Don’t spend too long on the set up – just get in there with the action and the funny. Grabbing attention from the get-go is everything with this age group.’
What’s the hardest thing about writing a story for this age group?
Kate and Jol: ‘Attention spans can be super short – keeping things snappy and bite sized is a must. We’re up against so many competing things for these kids’ attention – the ideas you come up with have to be unputdownable!’
Why did you want to be part of the Your Next Read Gold series?
Kate and Jol: ‘Writing for kids 7-9 years of age is such a sweet spot for us. It’s peak kid – that’s where we have so much freedom to throw about the most ridiculous ideas.’
If you had to describe YOURSELF in three Your Next Read icons, which would you choose?
Kate and Jol: <funny stories> <family> <animals>
Choose the three icons that describe the kinds of STORIES that you love to write
Kate and Jol: <funny stories> <action/adventure> <surprising stories>
Discover more information about the Your Next Read icons here.
What’s your best tip for young writers?
Kate and Jol: ‘Read, read, read. Fill your brain with ideas. Use these ideas as your own!’
About ‘Escape from Planet Milkshake’ by Kate and Jol Temple, illustrated by Briony Stewart
Do you like SCIENCE FICTION, ACTION and FUNNY STORIES?
Then this book is YOUR NEXT READ.
Freddy is having a normal day until a spaceship crashes in his backyard. Now he is dealing with a cranky robot, an unexpected trip to space and evil slime wizards! And that’s all before he even arrives at Planet Milkshake …
Buy here from your favourite online retailer
You might also like
Meet Jess Racklyeft, illustrator of ‘The Guinea Fowl Mystery’ (Your Next Read Gold)
Meet Amelia Mellor, author of The Guinea Fowl Mystery’ (Your Next Read Gold)
Meet Sara Acton, illustrator of ‘Gabi Makes Room’ (Your Next Read Gold)