Living in Perth
14 January 2010 10:15
StoryRhymes by acclaimed South African children's author, now available in Australia.
Bush StoryRhymes, the creation of award-winning South African children's author John Bush and his brother, an occasional co-author Gaby, are now available in Australia. The Roo from Woolloomooloo, is about a young boy who counts sheep to get to sleep...but these 'sheep' turn out to be distinct animals of the Aussie kind.
editor@perth@thesouthafrican.com
Claire Walsh, a South African living in Brisbane, whose parents came on holiday and brought her some of John’s books, was so inspired by his writing that she decided that his StoryRhymes had to become available in Australia. “It has taken around 12 months to get going” she says, but the website went live in December and they are ready for business.
Bush began penning his stories in the 1970s when, after discovering Dr Seuss, he was inspired to begin writing for his own children. “I found myself enjoying the Dr Seuss stories as much as they did” he laughs, “I liked his zany way of thinking.”
“The bush just came alive with his stories, it was a whole other world” says his daughter Eliza, who helps to run the South African side of the business from Johannesburg.
Initially centring on stories about animals from the African bush, when the idea for the Australian side of the business came about, Bush began with a new, Aussie-inclined story – the Great Aussie Kerfuffle. The rhyme is about a kangaroo called Ruthiroo, who is unhappy with her looks and believes a makeover would be the answer to her dreams. To her great fortune she finds a magical upside-down turtle with the power to give her the makeover she desires. Along with her friends, she soon discovers that one is best dressed when dressed as oneself.
Bush is emphatic in his conviction that rhyme is a vital tool in inspiring a love of reading in children. “Children learn language by reading” says Bush “and if a child is not engaged with the story, you have lost them as a reader.”
His work in the advertising business also helped with the inspiration, as “advertising always starts with a strong idea” he says. Rhyming is an irresistible challenge to a child says his daughter Eliza.
John was born in Durban and became a teacher. After several years in the classrooms he decided to make the change to boardrooms. He became a copywriter and has worked in advertising for over 25 years. He lives with his family in Cape Town and has two brothers who live in Australia.
‘"If a child is not entertained and rewarded by reading," he says, "everything else is academic. Enjoyment is paramount, particularly given the enormous competition books face today in terms of the spectrum of the alternatives."
Bush’s contribution to the world of children’s picture books has been recognised. The adaption of The Fish who could Wish, one of his earliest StoryRhymes, into a children’s CD ROM, won the Multimedia Award at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 1995.
“We currently have three books available with another 4 planned for this year” says Walsh - The Great Aussie Kerfuffle, The Giraffe who got in a Knot and the Baboon who went to the Moon.
Each book retails for $13.50 and are available on the Bush StoryRhymes website (secure online sales only) www.bushstoryrhymes.com
