Helen Maysey is a twelve year old inspiration. After writing and illustrating a picture book for a school project, Helen heard about the Indigenous Literacy Project, and decided she could help raise funds. ‘Too Blue’, her picture book is the story of a town trying to win a Most Colourful Town competition. Unfortunately the adults have got it all wrong and paint the whole town the one colour: blue. It takes a little girl to help them see that perhaps that was rather a silly idea, and they try to paint the town back the way it was. But they end up painting everything the wrong colour! It’s not all doom and multi-coloured gloom though: because of the little girl’s efforts the town wins the Most Colourful Town award!
Helen decided that she could do a print run of her book and sell copies to raise money for the ILP. She held a book launch at her house for parents, teachers, schoolmates and family friends; blue lemonade and blue food was the fare of the day. “Almost everyone bought a copy of the book,” Helen said, and with their help, she has managed to raise close to $400, which she has very generously donated to the ILP. Maria Nasone, Helen’s teacher and deputy principle of Torrensville Primary School in South Australia, hopes to hold a second launch with the support of the ILP and the International Baccalaureate program. She says the school library has a copy, and it is also being read in some of the school’s prep classes.
Helen lists ‘author’ as just one possible career, alongside artist (she is already very talented as her book shows), but whatever she chooses, she’s sure to do great things! It’s so wonderful to see such a strong sense of community and social justice in Helen’s generation. Well done Helen and Maria and thank-you for all your hard work!