New children's author inspired by daughters

New children's author Isaac Thackray of Auckland, who grew up in Pirongia. Photo / Supplied

There's a growing noise on the children's chapter book scene and it's all coming from the direction of Queen of Muck – the exciting and hilarious debut release from Auckland-based writer Isaac Thackray.

Isaac says he felt compelled to write for as long as he could remember, but growing up in Pirongia, 'where men were men and rugby was God', he thought he should just keep that to himself.

Then one day he came across a headline saying: 'Sex, booze, fast cars. If you can write headlines like this, call us today'.

So began a successful career as an advertising and TV writer where he got to hone his craft and sharpen his wit alongside the best in the business.

A few years later, with a swag of awards and enough contacts to go freelance, he escaped the city just in time for the birth of his first daughter, Alice.

Then came another daughter, Lila, and before long Isaac was reading literally hundreds of children's books out loud. He found himself captured by the magic of the great ones and even more so with the idea of writing one himself.

So he parked himself at a local cafe and started banging away. And he kept on banging until he had Queen of Muck in the can.

It begins with two sisters, Lucy and Lily, who are desperate to find their missing Granddad. But first they must survive a great and unusual adventure filled with brutes in nail-polish, a strange bookshop, a children-eating beast, a very bad orchestra, flying chunks of cupcake, a talking fox and swords, sneak-walking along with a wickedly entertaining baddie who has a lot to say for herself and a rather weak stomach.

"I felt there was a gaping lack of chapter books with great adventures, lots of funny bits, characters that actually have character and girls in the thick of the action," says Isaac.

So, has Queen of Muck corrected the problem?

"The girls say I have and they're usually honest with me to the point of brutality," says Isaac.

He's not scared to be tough on himself either.

"I took the approach that the book had to be lively all the way through. And that no matter where you open it, I'll be happy you landed on that bit.

"That meant so much more work, time and coffee than I ever imagined but I loved every bit of it.

"I'm already thinking up the next one."

Queen of Muck was due to hit bookstores next February, but the story has clearly hit a chord with young readers and a huge surge of pre-orders has seen the release date pulled forward.

Queen of Muck pre-orders are available now at queenofmuck.com/ and it will be in bookstores from next Tuesday - including Paper Plus Te Awamutu.