Hollie spoke to Michaela Keeble about creating her book Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai alongside her son, Kerehi.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Wake up too late, stumble around looking for my socks then my kid’s socks, slug coffee, get kids to school. Work werk wurk, mainly from home, very little writing. Walk Boss the Dog. Hang out with the kids. Talk politics or history or bad jokes with their dad. Eat. Sleep. Lovely.
What was the process of creating this book with your son, Kerehi?
When he was little, he talked, all the time, as some kids do. I remembered a lot of it and wrote it down. He zoned in and out of the long process of publishing (he loved riffing with Tokerau the most). He’s stoked with our pukapuka.
How did you team up with illustrator Tokerau Brown?
I just asked! And Tokerau said yes. How lucky is that.
What is one thing you would like readers to take away from Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapōkai?
Every single person, no matter how small, has intrinsic power. The trick is in learning to wield it gently and for the right reasons (like, standing up for, alongside and behind any being with less political power).
How would you compare writing poetry to writing a children’s book?
It’s really similar. Light on words, heavy on meaning. And it doesn’t take as long as a novel!
What are some of your favourite childhood books?
Tokerau and I share a love of the What-a-mess books. I remember a book called Creatures in the Beard, and a hit kids book of the 80s, The Jolly Postman. A bit later, I loved everything by Isobelle Carmody.
What is your favourite snack to enjoy while writing?
Not a snack, but when I do find time to write (often with friends), they’ll set superlux hand creams and light natural candles. When you stop to think (or because you can’t think), you can give yourself a lil relaxing hand massage instead.