Blog Archives
Wariness and Safety Tools
In Where is Robbie? Part 2, the grumpy, bumpy rooster who disappeared after terrifying the younger chickens has returned, leading his own rowdy rock band. What is the most rewarding aspect of writing a children’s series?
Children waiting to get the next story. Children laughing at the antics and talking chooks.
Many children’s stories encourage immediate forgiveness. Your book takes a more gradual approach. What influenced that decision?
Forgiveness when you are being hurt and confused by behaviour so deeply is not simple to forgive. In fact, a child does not need to forgive but develop wariness and safety tools to navigate such behaviour in life.
Do you have a favorite scene in this story? One that was especially fun to write?
Bringing back the rooster with his band of recalcitrants to atone. Not with a symphony or quartet but with a rock band. They can give children a sense of letting go and surprise at the development.
How do you hope children who may recognize some of Robbie’s behaviors in themselves respond to the story?
Hopefully, they might be allowed to share the naughty behaviours that have upset others or hurt them, and talk about why they behaved in this way.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Robbie rooster was taken away because he was a bully… a BIG, BAD bully! He needed to change. A story about this rooster’s journey from being bad to learning to be better. Will Robbie’s past behaviour be forgotten by those he mistreated? One day he might be forgiven. It would just take time, hard work and trust.
Foreword
Bullying is never okay.
Never.
It hurts, it excludes, and it leaves a lasting impact. But it’s also true that those who bully have the potential to change. Often, they are the loudest voices in the room – full of energy, drive, and presence. With the right support, that same energy can be transformed into something powerful.
Lesa Melnyczuk beautifully shows us that even the most troublesome characters can turn things around. This story is a gentle reminder to children that behavioural change is possible, and that growth and leadership can emerge from the most unexpected places.
A heartfelt tale of growth, redemption, and the power of transformation.
Katie Govic National Manager, Schools & Communities
Lesa Melnyczuk Author Interview
Robbie, The Grumpy Bumpy Rooster follows a delicate blue pysanka chicken who learns to find her voice with the help of her barnyard friends. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Media stories of young children being bullied.
Robbie is a frightening presence in the story. What did you want young readers to understand about anger and bullying through his character?
I wanted them to be alerted at harsh actions or behaviour that is frightening others as well as themselves.
The artwork in your book is wonderful. Can you share with us a little about your collaboration with illustrator Veronica Rooke?
Veronica has been doing the illustrations for my Babas Chook Series from the beginning. She understands my imagination and, unless confronted with a new character, is able to alter the images to suit the dialogue without many problems.
What conversations do you hope parents and caregivers have with children after reading the book?
I want the book to raise the notion of bullying and recognize various forms of it. I would like children to consider ways to help rehabilitate Robbie and compare how Humans are dealt with. Is it effective? Children will be provided with an option in Part 2. “Where’s Robbie.”
That book still elicits discussion. Was he let off easily?
The second book also indicates that you do not have to forgive these people but find ways to protect yourself…
Author Links: Website | Facebook
Robbie is a rooster who sometimes gets angry. REALLY angry. But when he picks on a smaller chicken in the coup, he learns a very valuable lesson.
The Pysanka Chicken: We Are All Born Different
The Pysanka Chicken: We Are All Born Different, penned by Lesa Melnyczuk, introduces young readers to the important topic of children born with rare conditions or diseases in a thoughtful and engaging way. Set on Easter Sunday in the village of Bukavel, Ukraine, the story begins with Baba Helen, Baba Stefka, and their grandchildren waiting outside the church for the priest to bless their Easter baskets. As they make their way home, a surprising sound of cracking comes from one of the baskets. Curious, the children open it and discover a remarkable egg, painted in gold and blue. From this egg hatches a Pysanka Chicken, a special chick that looks different from the others. The children learn that, just as some chicks are born unique, so too are some babies, leading to a deeper and meaningful conversation about differences.
Lesa Melnyczuk weaves a heartwarming tale that touches on a complex subject with care and compassion. Her storytelling gracefully blends the charm of Ukrainian customs and traditions with the tender message of acceptance. The village setting feels inviting and warm, and Melnyczuk handles the topic of rare conditions with great empathy, making it accessible to young minds. While the story doesn’t point to any specific illness, it skillfully conveys the experience of being different and highlights the love and support needed from family and friends. The narrative also touches on how children born with unique conditions may need extra care, such as doctor visits or medical attention, but ultimately emphasizes unity, respect, and the power of love to overcome challenges. This is an ideal read for introducing young children to the concept of physical diversity and health differences.
The story’s brevity, coupled with its tender tone, makes it both digestible and heartfelt. However, the use of Ukrainian terms might pose a slight challenge for some readers, even though most are explained within the context of the story. I feel that the inclusion of a glossary at the beginning would have been a helpful addition, providing readers with a clearer understanding of these rich traditions upfront. Despite this, the story shines with its lovable characters and its magical touch, which brings the message of acceptance to life in a captivating way.
The Pysanka Chicken: We Are All Born Different, written by Lesa Melnyczuk and illustrated by Veronica Rooke, is a beautifully told story that uses a bit of magic to encourage children to embrace and understand physical and health differences in others. It’s a thoughtful and uplifting tale, perfect for sparking important conversations about diversity and empathy.
Pages: 38 | ISBN : 978-0975658024
