Award-winning Brisbane author and teacher, Karen Tyrrell reveals why she wrote Rainforest Rescue (Song Bird) for children.
Karen is a survivor of parent-teacher bullying and mental illness. She attributes her recovery and rediscovered well-being to treks through the rainforests, breathing in revitalising air and connecting with nature.
For over ten years, Karen and guest-author husband Steve have hiked through Gondwana rainforests and national parks from Mt Tamborine to Springbrook and Lamington National Park behind the Gold Coast.
‘I want families to hike in our rainforests and find their own health benefits,’ says Karen, well-being advocate. ‘De-stress, get fit, breathe in nature.’
Rainforest Rescue main character, Rosella Ava Bird AKA Song Bird Superhero survives bullying (like Karen) using powers of singing and science. Author Karen Tyrrell did the same thing when she joined the school choir as a bullied school girl.
‘I wrote Rainforest Rescue to empower children to live strong and connect with their inner superhero. Reading Rainforest Rescue will inspire children to take care of their environment, the trees, the rainforests, our national parks … and themselves,’ said Karen.
Rainforest Rescue challenges children to become eco warriors and care for the environment. The story focusses on three children, one bullied, one with a disability and one with low self-esteem who use teamwork and science to solve problems.
Karen is also passionate about indigenous culture, having taught so many indigenous children in Brisbane, learning about their interests over the years.
‘Rainforest Rescue educates children on ancient Gondwana rainforests, Australian mythical creatures and bush tucker.’
Aboriginal elder Uncle Barry Watson, cultural advisor to Rainforest Rescue supports the positive messages about our indigenous culture and the aboriginal boy character Bunji, meaning friend.
HALF BIRD. HALF GIRL. ALL SUPERHERO.
Gondwana Rainforest is dying.
Mythical creatures materialize.
Kids disappear.
Song Bird travels to when time began, to battle her enemies.
Can Song Bird unlock the secret before the world ends?
‘Fast-paced adventure taking ecological issues, turning them into an engaging story.’—Children’s Book Council of Australia on The Battle of Bug World (Song Bird 2).
Queensland National Parks share rainforest care tips inside the pages of Rainforest Rescue. They provided Karen with special surprises for children to be distributed at her school visits and book signing events.
18 AUG 10am Logan West Library – Book Launch
19 AUG 12-3 Canungra Books & Art – Book signing
25 AUG 9.30-12.30 Dymocks Indooroopilly – Book signing
8 SEP 1-4 Under the Greenwood Tree Mt Tamborine – Book signing
15 SEP 10-5 Dubbo Writers Festival – Key Note speaker
25 SEP 10am Hyperdome Library – Storytelling
Rainforest Rescue is available from good bookshops and www.songbirdseries.com
YOUTUBE Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwYIUpieXA8
SheSociety is a site for the women of Australia to share our stories, our experiences, shared learnings and opportunities to connect.
Thanks She Society for publishing my story to help kids like strong … Karen 🙂