Childhood nickname inspires whimsical Australian children's book The Wonky Woo

LOGANHOLME, Australia - Rezul -- A childhood nickname that stayed with Queensland author Angela Greensill for decades has found an unexpected new life — as a mysterious creature in her ninth children's book, The Wonky Woo.

Growing up on a farm near Hervey Bay, Angela Greensill was surrounded by animals, the outdoors and plenty of opportunities for imagination.

She also had an unusual childhood nickname: "Angelina Wink Wonk."

Years later, that little piece of childhood silliness helped inspire The Wonky Woo, a playful Australian story about a father, a daughter and a mysterious creature lurking near their campsite.

In the book, Banjo tells his daughter Kiki the tale of the legendary Wonky Woo. But exactly what is a Wonky Woo?

The answer ultimately comes waddling into view — in the form of one of Australia's most unusual animals, a platypus.

"The name Wonky Woo grew out of a nickname from my childhood, and I always loved the sound of it," Greensill said.

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"It sounded like something that should exist in a children's story. I wanted children to spend the book imagining this strange creature and wondering what it could possibly look like."

Humour is central to Greensill's approach to children's writing.

Alongside writing and publishing children's books, she has performed stand-up comedy for more than ten years, an unusual combination of careers that has strongly influenced the way she writes for young audiences.

"Children love absurdity, surprise and funny-sounding words," she said.

"I love the moment when a child doesn't quite know where a story is going. With The Wonky Woo, I wanted to create that feeling of sitting around a campfire hearing a slightly ridiculous story and desperately wanting to know what happens next."

Greensill has now written and independently published nine children's books, with stories exploring friendship, imagination, nature and childhood experiences.

Her journey as an author follows an equally varied career that has included human services, management, freelance writing and stand-up comedy.

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But The Wonky Woo also brings her back to where her own story began.

"Growing up on a farm gave me a real connection to animals and nature," Greensill said.

"It's lovely that something as simple as a silly childhood nickname has travelled all these years with me and eventually turned into a book that I can share with other children."
About Angela Greensill

Angela Greensill is a Queensland children's author, writer and stand-up comedian. Originally from the Wide Bay region, she grew up on a farm near Hervey Bay and has since lived and worked around Australia. She has written and independently published nine children's books and combines her experience in storytelling and comedy to create playful stories designed to entertain young readers.

MEDIA CONTACT

Angela Greensill
Children's Author
angelajg24@yahoo.com
angelagreensill.com
IG:@angelagreensillauthor

ENDS