SO DREAMS DO COME TRUE! Here is my first children’s picture book, “The Great Barrier Thief“, written and illustrated by my alter ego Dr Suzie Starfish! This book illustrates the impacts of climate change on our Great Barrier Reef. The story is based on marine science and includes solutions and the hope that each one of us can do our part to help protect and save the Reef. You can ‘sea’ more about my Great Barrier Reef story.

PRE-SALES of my book are now open in Australia at https://drsuepillans.com/books/the-great-barrier-reef/ with International orders and shipping information available once the books arrive in Australia next month (September 2018). SAVE THE DATE for my book launch in Brisbane which I hope to hold on the afternoon of Sunday 21st October 2018 in Brisbane, details here soon!

As a marine scientist, artist and now children’s author/illustrator I also want to carry out a regional book tour, in this the International Year of the Reef , so I can spread the important message about the challenges facing our reef and what we can do to ‘cool things down’ in the face of climate change. As our children are our future Reef stewards I believe every child deserves to ‘sea’ the living colours of the Reef.

What a journey it has been to bring this story to life through my words and pictures. It was six years ago that I came up with the idea of the “thief on the Reef” due to the devastating coral bleaching events I was sea-ing in North Queensland. I have worked tirelessly to write, re-write, rhyme, don’t rhyme, draw, paint and think about the solutions to the global issue of climate change suitable for children. I am so very proud of my book and cannot wait for everyone to ‘sea’ it! A BIG thank you to my friend and storytelling mentor Michelle Worthington and Little Steps Publishing who helped to bring this story to life.

AND I was delighted that my book and I were featured in the ABC News recently, in “My beloved Great Barrier Reef: Four tales of love, loss and hope“, based on my interview for ABC Radio National as part of National Science Week. You can ‘sea’ the story behind my reef story here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2018-08-18/my-beloved-great-barrier-reef/9748398

More details coming here soon about the books arrival next month and my book launch. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at sue.pillans@interode.on.net if you have any questions about my book and school visits. You can also follow my storytelling journey as Dr Suzie Starfish on Facebook and @suepillans on Twitter and Instagram. Best fishes  ><((((º>.¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º>  .·´¯`·.¸