Briefly tell us about your book.
A Leaf Called Greaf is about a bear who is all alone and lonely, until he finds the greenest, most beguiling leaf he has ever seen. He calls that leaf ‘Greaf’. Bear holds Greaf tight throughout the days and nights that follow, but as the seasons change, so does Greaf…and Bear. One day, Greaf leaves Bear, and he feels a lightness and warmth that he had almost forgotten. Greaf has gone, but Bear knows its memory will hold a special place in his heart forever.
What inspired the idea behind this book?
A leaf. A brown, brittle, dried leaf I picked up while out walking one autumn evening. When I got home, I put the leaf on my kitchen counter and began cooking dinner. As I cooked, the ideas flooded in and by the time the food was ready I had the story almost completely written in my head!
What’s some great advice you’ve received that has helped you as a writer?
The best advice I ever got about anything was while studying design at uni. I remember a lecturer telling us not to get so precious about our work that we are unable listen to, and take on board, constructive criticism. That advice has stuck with me ever since. It’s impossible for us to see our own work with fresh, unbiased eyes, so when I show my work to someone for the first time, I listen to their feedback because they will see things that I don’t. If I feel passionately enough about something I will fight for it to stay but for the most part, making books is a team effort and every person involved brings their expertise to the project so why wouldn’t you pay attention – or at the very least, take a moment to listen. Good advice for life all round too, I think!
What are you reading right now?
Right now I’m reading How to Avoid a Happy Life by Julia Lawrinson. I’ve only just cracked the spine, but having heard Julia speak about the book I have no doubt that once I get properly into it, I’m going to be well and truly hooked!
How does this book compare to your other books?
A Leaf Called Greaf is a softer, slower, quieter book than my others. There’s time to pause and sit with Bear on each page. Time to feel what Bear is feeling and travel with him through the seasons. In this book, Bear sets the pace and we’re there to hold his paw through it all. In my other books, you skip, dance, and hopefully, laugh through.
What advice would you give to aspiring Children’s/YA authors?
Write for yourself and write a story you feel in your bones you must tell. I don’t ever write with a specific audience in mind, or to tick a box of any kind. I just write, and the rest always figures itself out. That’s my only piece of advice, write what your heart tells you to write.
This sounds like the perfect cozy vibe for winter! Nothing better than good books and great company. I’ve been meaning to join a club like this — also been sharing some of my recent reads over at https://baddieseast.to/
if anyone’s looking for recs!
This sounds like the perfect cozy vibe for winter! Nothing better than good books and great company. I’ve been meaning to join a club like this — also been sharing some of my recent reads over at https://baddieseast.to/
if anyone’s looking for recs!
“Such a beautiful interview! The emotional depth Kelly Canby brings to children’s books leaves my kepala bergetar with admiration. Can’t wait to read ‘A Leaf Called Greaf’!”