Story marks a new chapter

A South West teacher is celebrating the release of her first children’s picture book.

Dalyellup Primary teacher Anne-Louise Dubrawski wrote the emotional children’s story, Miaka, a tale of a Russian girl and her pet bird going through tough times.

Mrs Dubrawski said Hans Christian Anderson fairy tales were her inspiration for the book.

“They were at the back of my mind when writing Miaka. His tales are always very sad but have things which are important for children to think about, ” she said.

“I have written for a long time and stories are always going through my head so it is something I have always wanted to do.

“I do really like children so it is natural to write books which are pitched at children.”

Miaka was published by Windy Hollows Books, an independent publisher of children’s books based in Melbourne.

The illustrations were done by the renowned illustrator Beatriz Martin Vidal who is based in the USA.

Mrs Dubrawski said she had more ideas for future publications.

“This picture book has taken about three and a half years so it has been a long process.

“But I can see myself doing this – I have ideas on paper to send out to places to see who likes the story.”