By Danielle Galvin
There’s a certain ‘green’ theme in Glen Iris author and illustrator Kelly Mrocki’s children’s books.
Her recently published third book, ‘Ew Yuck’, encourages children to recognise the value in all creatures big and small, and even the creatures that might be deemed a bit “gross”.
A tiger worm is the main character, and the book gives children an insight into composting and worm farms.
Kelly, who also works as an early childhood educator, runs sustainability incursions in the local area.
As part of her program she shows children compost worms.
“Some children are terrified of them or disgusted by them,” she laughs.
“I explain the importance of their job, and this inspired me to write a book about worms to enable children to see they can be cute in their own right.”
Kelly’s first book, The Girl Who Saved The Frogs, was written for her daughter Charlie, now 12.
“When my children were both very little, we would often go and see the animals at the zoo. and Healesville Sanctuary,” she explained.
“My children noticed big signs of different animals displayed all around the place and they asked why they were there. I told them the animals on the signs were all endangered.
“I saw how upset they were about it, I hated the fact they felt powerless.I wanted them both to feel like they could do something to help, so I asked them to pick an animal each to represent.
From there, my daughter Charlie chose frogs and volunteered with the Friends of Gardiners Creek, and even did presentations for her friends at kindergarten and school.
She also started fundraising for the frog breeding program at the zoo.”
Kelly didn’t have any plans to publish The Girl Who Saved The Frogs, but at the kindergarten she works at they encouraged her to.
A few years later, Kelly wrote The Boy Who Saved The Whale for her son Josh, who’s now 13.
The book was published in 2017.
“A few years ago, it was hard to find books that taught children about being sustainable and caring for the environment in a simplistic format.”
Late last year, Kelly spent some time building up her own edible garden and veggie patch in her front yard which she says has been a great talking point.
Despite being a self-proclaimed novice, Kelly has managed to produce 30-40 kilos of food from her garden in just over 9 months, which she happily shares with neighbours.
“It’s at the front of my house – so I have to maintain it,” she laughs.
Her advice for anyone looking to get a veggie patch going is to start off with easy produce to grow such as zucchini, tomato or lettuce.
“Things that are going to get you rewards easily, and then throw in something more difficult and see how you go,” she said.
Kelly also has a worm farm and compost bin.
“It is so rewarding knowing you are reusing every fruit and veggie scrap to improve your soil,” she said.
“I cherish everything I make in the kitchen now because I know how long the produce took to grow!”
To order her books, visit https://www.thegirlwhosavedthefrogs.com.au/
