Rhonda Ooi’s new picture book, I am NOT an Owl!, blends nonfiction with a charming story to introduce young readers to Australia’s nocturnal wildlife

What inspired you to begin writing children’s literature?

Being a primary school teacher and Mum, I’m rather obsessed with children’s literature. In the classroom I use it to inspire, as springboards for investigations and for fun. I read to my son since before he was born and loved the time I spent reading to him. I collect children’s literature. I have a large and growing collection. I also collect ideas from the kids in my life. When kids do cute/funny things I write them down. It wasn’t till I had extra time during Covid that I did a picture book writing course through the Australian Writers’ Centre and I’ve been writing ever since. I can’t seem to stop writing picture books, but I’d love to write a verse novel as I love reading them.

What was the inspiration for I am NOT an Owl?

One day when my son was a preschooler, he was looking tired in the car. I suggested he might want to have a sleep and he replied, ‘I’m NOT an owl Mummy!’ I have a photo to prove that he is in fact an owl! So, that ended up on my list. My son is now 21.

What did you love most about this project?

I was so happy that my first book published is one inspired by my son. But as well as that, I loved working with Mel and Woodslane Press.

Have you had any interesting encounters with nocturnal wildlife?

Living in the suburbs, I mostly encounter possums and flying foxes. We have some gorgeous little ringtail possums that live in the trees in our backyard. At one stage they were living in our ceiling. They sounded more like little elephants than sweet little possums. So, a ‘possum man’ came to seal up the holes. He put in a one-way door so they could leave and not get back in. Early morning after he did that there was quite a commotion at the little door. I imagined the possum knocking on the door, asking why we changed the locks… maybe there’s a picture book in that?

How did you find working with an illustrator on this project?

I was so lucky to meet Mel and work with her on I am NOT an Owl! The kidlit community is so supportive, I met her through the community and as soon as I saw her work I knew she’d be perfect. Her illustrations were the first I saw, and I didn’t look at anyone else’s. It was like Mel and I were in sync. She didn’t know me or my son when she drew her first character sketch but strangely Alexander looks just like my son when he was little… not that it was necessary for Alexander to look like him, but it was cool that he did. I had very few illustration notes and she brought her own creativity to the work.

Did you encounter any other challenges while working on I am NOT an Owl?

The most challenging thing about writing is finding a publisher. At first, I submitted I am NOT an Owl! without illustrations to a publisher or two. Then when I found a publisher that I thought it would suit, they wanted illustrations too, I reached out and found Mel. That particular publisher wasn’t interested, but not long after that we found Woodslane Press.

What do you most hope to impart on readers with this book?

I hope readers will be curious about and care for their local environment and the unseen animals who live there. And maybe encourage them to have a nap or two. With both nonfiction and fiction elements, I hope to appeal to lovers of both and most importantly I hope it will encourage kids to read and develop a love of reading.

Do you have any other projects in the works?

My second picture book Ned Needs to Build will be released on 7th July with Starfish Bay Publishing (Tiny Seed imprint). I have signed another contract with Starfish Bay recently and that should be released in 2027. Mel and I are hoping to do another project together with Woodslane Press. I have an almost finished manuscript (just working on the non-fiction element) that would be a nice follow up to I am NOT an Owl!.