By Dongyun Kwon
Even after leaving Healesville, the author has kept writing children’s books based on the journey of two Healesville girls.
The Salvager’s Quest and The Ghost of the Mountains, the second of a series of six books, is about to come out by the end of January.
Author Lucy Hawkins, a former resident of Healesville, is excited about the release of the sequel to The Salvager’s Quest.
“It follows the Healesville sisters, Stella and Dot, as they continue to rescue endangered animals from Earth and take them to Planet Beatrice where woolly mammoths roam and children make the rules,” she said.
“This time Stella discovers that humans and animals aren’t the only inhabitants of Planet Beatrice when she wanders into the caves of Neanderthals.
“The girls have to try and work with the Neanderthals as well as go on their next mission to the Himalayas of Nepal to rescue snow leopards. It’s full of adventure, geography, wildlife as well as the gang’s relationships and lots of laughs.”
Like the first book, Hawkins put herself in the book cover illustration work.
She said she collaborated with Yarra Valley-based artist Clare James.
“I sketched it out, she painted it and I painted the girls’ faces,” the author said.
“I love working with Clare, she’s brilliant, an incredible watercolour artist and nature lover. I mainly paint with acrylics which wouldn’t have given me the wishy-washy ethereal feel I was after.
“But I wanted to paint the girls’ faces as they’re loosely based on my own daughters.”
Hawkins and her family moved from Healesville to Mallorca, Spain.
Hawkins said her family wanted to take a family adventure but they would be back to the Yarra Valley at some point.
“We thought our young children were the right age to enjoy it and learn Spanish,” she said.
“I continue to run Lucy Hawkins Art remotely as well as write my books and for magazines around the world.
“I do miss the Yarra Valley! I have nothing but wonderful memories and some beautiful friendships for life. I also cannot get an oat latte of the same calibre for love nor money.”
The second book is now available for pre-order through Hawkins’ website at lucyhawkinsart.com and will be available to buy through most online book retailers in early February.
“It will also be on the shelves of Novel Nook at Yarra Glen and available to borrow at Healesville Library,” the former Healesville resident said.
“My lovely friend Marianne will also be selling it at her wonderful Alexandra Manfield Books’ stall at the fabulous The Local Market.
“I’ve just started writing the third one actually which will be for young adults aged 12-18. The third book will be out as soon as I can finish writing it.”
