GUIDE
Here’s an excerp
t from Song Bird
Bringing superheroes
to life!
Karen Tyrrell’s latest book, Song Bird Superhero features the
story of twelve year old Amy, who is the best friend and
trusted side-kick of superhero Song Bird! Together they battle
evil, adversity and bullying through singing, science and self-
belief. Amy empowers herself using her mathematical and
science brain, inventing new gadgets for her wheelchair to
support Song Bird.
We sat down with Karen to talk about her about her latest book,
the inspiration behind it and asked her to share a snippet with us!
Karen, tell us about your background.
I’m an award-winning Brisbane children’s
author. I present story-telling, pantomimes
and creative writing in schools. I'm an ex-
school teacher and have taught many
children with disabilities. One little boy I
taught was the inspiration for my side-kick
character, Amy. He loved designing things
and was the maths and science genius of
my class, he just happened to also be in a
wheelchair.
I'm a survivor of bullying which eventually
resulted with a mental illness (I've been
well for 10 years). I talk to children
about disabilities, diversity and breaking
stereotypes. I teach children how to become
strong and resilient.
Why is reading so important?
Reading develops the mind of children,
improving their language skills, igniting their
imaginations and helping them to learn
about the world around them.
“
Reading is important because
it develops the mind. The mind
is a muscle; it needs exercise.
Understanding the written word is
on way the mind grows in its ability,
which is especially important for
children!
16
Touchstone Autumn 2017
”
Here are my tips to incorporate reading into
your daily routine:
Set aside a quiet time every day with no
distractions. Read silently and out loud
with a buddy.
Make reading enjoyable. Sit with your
child and engage with them while they
read. Give them encouragement and
constant praise.
Talk about the books. What you liked
and didn’t like. Discuss the story, the
characters and their favourite parts.
What other books have you written?
STOP the Bully, Bailey Beats the BLAH,
Harry Helps Grandpa Remember, Jo-Kin vs
Lord Terra, Jo-Kin Battles the It. The books
I write for kids are all about empowerment,
self-confidence and being kind to others.
Song Bird 2 comes out in June, 2017!
Where can families buy Song Bird
Superhero?
Song Bird Superhero is available from
Amazon and selected bookstores. Readers
of Touchstone can buy a signed copy of
Song Bird Superhero at a special discount
price with FREE postage in Australia on my
website: www.songbirdsuperhero.com
Simply click on the Pay Now button for the
special discount, for the month of March
only. No discount code required.
Happy Reading!
S
uperhero!
“Amy scooted ar
ound me. ‘Why
don’t you practis
e flying in your
‘Great idea.’ I star
costume?’
ted singing ‘I
Believe I Can Fly’
into the air. The
and suddenly
rotors vibrated
I was floating up
under my hands
them. I flapped
and feet, but I di
my arms fast. I sm
dn
’t
know how to stee
ashed against on
another, like a hu
r
e wall and boun
man ping-pong
ced off another,
ball.
an
d
BOING. BOING.
KER-PING.
Sing smooth, sing
smooth, I told m
yself.
With a bit more
practice, I was ab
le to glide around
room with outstr
the living room
etched arms. I C
and into the fam
O
ULD DO IT! My
totally me.
ily
heart sang. I’d ne
ver felt so free,
so
Amy clapped an
d cheered. She
opened the slid
go outside,’ she
ing door that le
said. ‘Go on, I do
d to the backya
uble-dare you.’
rd. ‘Now
But what about
Frank, the bully
next door? I suck
a deep breath an
ed in
d headed outsid
e. I zoomed arou
the backyard, m
nd
y body streamlin
ed like a torped
hands by my side
o,
, feet together. I
felt sensational
flew around, crea
as I
ting my own win
d.
The bushes behi
nd the fence rust
led. Frank yelled,
screamed and st
amped his feet.
‘I’m going to ge
you.’
t
He knew!”