Tide's Out with Frances Plumpton

Can you find 1 sprig of seaweed, 2 crab hidey-holes and 3 damp driftwood pieces?

Māu e kimi kia kotahi te whatinga karengo mātaitai,

Kia rua ngā rua-huna pāpakaā, kia toru ngā tītītai mākūkū?

While Frances Plumpton is well known as a literary agent, librarian and long-time champion of the industry, her new book for children Tide’s Out Tai Timu represents the first time she’s been on the other side of the publishing equation. We asked her about it.

After a long career in the world of children’s books, what prompted you to write your own?

The idea had been simmering at the back of my mind for quite some years, as I had originally made a photographic book for my grandchildren and had since taken numerous photos of beach life hoping to expand it, but they never came up to my expectations. It wasn’t until I attended a SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) writing retreat in Sydney pre-pandemic, that it was suggested that the text would work well with watercolour illustrations. I turn eighty next year so it was now or never! I initially envisaged it as a small local publication and approached Stephanie Thatcher, who lives at Huia, to illustrate it intending to self-publish (yes this had previously been rejected) and wanting it to be of a high standard, contracted Mary Egan Publishing for their expertise.

How have you found it on the author side of the publishing equation?

Having read manuscripts for CNZ and publishers for many years, and working with authors and illustrators, I had no illusions about the mahi behind preparing a final text for publication, but it’s still been big learning curve! This time there’s an emotional investment for me.

What do you hope young readers will get out of Tide’s Out Tai Timu?

There’s a particular delight in sharing books with very young children, watching the development of language and how book life and real life intersects. I would love this book to become a ‘read it again!’ book.

Do you have a favourite memory of combing the foreshore with your own family?

Gary’s family have been coming to Huia since 1949, and our bach is just a two-minute amble from this tidal beach. Our two sons spent countless hours with cousins and friends’ children, tumbling in and out of dinghies, and on and off surfboards when the tide was in and mucking about when the tide was out. (Shades of Quentin Blake’s Captain Najork and his Hired Sportsmen). And this repeated with our grandchildren.

How important was it to you that the book is bilingual?

This was Stephanie’s suggestion, and I approached Dr Darryn Joseph and was encouraged by his enthusiasm to work with the text, also aware that it wouldn’t be a word for word translation. This is a big learning curve for me, I come from a generation that had no exposure to te reo in our literature and I’ve been embarrassed that my grasp is so limited. I’ve been very appreciative of the growing range of bilingual children’s books, always fascinated by the facility of children to switch between languages, in contrast to my monolingual experiences.

Stephanie Thatcher’s illustrations are beautiful. What was the process like of working with her?

Stephanie’s three energetic sons spend endless hours on the beach. I gave her the photographic book understanding that it would be her interpretation of the text and was really touched that she referenced it for her illustrations. They make my heart sing!

Based on your experience, what do you think is the most important thing for parents to do to foster a love of reading in their children?

Children should see books as an integral part of their family life, that adults’ value and read their own books too.

I remember in conversations with Dorothy Butler how even very young babies have distinct favourites and will bounce up and down on your knee in anticipation of a book, and crawling babies with just a few words will select their favourite books. I love the way that toddlers from bookish families sidle up with an armful of books to visiting adults, expecting that they will be shared.

Tide’s Out Tai Timu, written by Frances Plumpton, illustrated by Stephanie Thatcher, translated by Darryn Joseph. Published by Mary Egan Publishing; 1 November 2022; RRP: $20.00.