To celebrate the release of her picture book, The Other Brother, under the pen name Penny Jaye, this Australian author discusses motherhood, writing, and foster care.

What are the biggest differences between picture book and novel writing for you?

That’s easy – the number of words! Actually, for me, writing is always about the audience; the difference is how I manipulate the words (and how many I can use). When I’m writing a novel my words alone bring my story to life for my reader, and that determines the way I build scenes and characters and how I convey emotion. By contrast, picture books require me to imagine, anticipate and actively pre-empt an illustrator’s contribution. As a writer, my audience’s reaction is still my responsibility, so every word I use must both pull its weight narratively and provide direction or scope for an illustrator.

How has being a parent influenced your writing?

In my writing, I have sought to answer the questions my children have raised for me. The Other Brother drew on the emotions and questions elicited when, a number of years ago, we were asked to provide respite foster care for a 13-year-old who needed out-of-home care. Although this was something our whole family decided to do, it challenged our children in ways we hadn’t expected; at the same time, they were the ones who were the most resilient to—and welcoming of— the new situation.

Why are the words foster care or adoption not used in The Other Brother?

When children arrive in care — whether through short-term, respite or permanent situations, foster care and adoption — it significantly impacts the lives of everyone involved. While I knew right from the start that this would be a narrative about out- of-home care I wanted to keep the context as open as possible to interpretation. Children in care may connect to these themes as it reflects their own experience, while other children may see their own family, friends or neighbours in this story.

What do you hope this book will achieve?

My hope for this book is that it starts conversations. It is a book about foster care and/or adoption, but it’s also a story about what it’s like to welcome someone into our own space. Sometimes that hurts because it introduces change. But just because things are different, or uncomfortable, doesn’t mean they aren’t the right thing to do.

Just because things are different, or uncomfortable, doesn’t mean they aren’t the right thing to do.

Are you available for school visits? If so, what type? How can schools contact you?

Yes! I love coming out to schools for author visits and sharing my enthusiasm for reading, writing and story.

Although I’m based in Sydney, I am happy to travel for author visits. I can do traditional author presentations as well as more specific writing workshops for students from pre-school to senior high. More details can be found on my author websites (www.pennyjaye.com and www.pennyreeve.com ), or please email me at pennyjoy@optusnet.com.au for my current list of workshops and availability.