Felice Arena
Q
& A with author Felice Arena
Q. As a child, which book was your favorite?
A. Storm Boy by Colin Thiele. After reading it I wanted my very own pelican named Mr. Percival.
Q. What books from your childhood do you still possess?
A. I come from a big Italian family so many of my books were passed on to nieces, nephews, and cousins. But one book that wasn't given away was The Great Alphabet Race by Janet Campbell, one of the very first books I read.
Q. As a child, who influenced you reading aloud?
A. My Grade Two teacher, Mrs Caldow. She was also the school librarian. She made reading and visiting the library fun!
Q. What do you believe are the benefits gained from reading aloud to children?
A. When you read a book out loud you are instantly bringing it to life. Words on pages are no longer static print. The characters suddenly have a clearer and more impressionable voice because you’re now telling the story. There is always a sense of theatre and fun when one reads a book aloud. And when kids (and adults) are having fun, they seem to learn more quickly, and what they learn seems to stick.
Q. Name a book you secretly love, but never admit you read?
A. Hmmm? I don't think there has ever been any book I haven't admitted to -- truly! And I promise I don't have my fingers crossed behind my back!
Q. What book would you choose to read aloud to children?
A.
I know I'm cheating a little with this answer. But I would have to say, Sally
and Dave, A Slug Story by me! I read this one in my school sessions and everyone
loves it. I have so much fun reading it. Recently I read it aloud to four
hundred six year-olds! At one stage in the story I had them all up and dancing
like slugs to the song, "Super Freak!" Actually, if you visit my website,
www.felicearena.com and click on 'Picture Books' you can see me read this story
online!
Q. What is your favourite movie made from a book you have read?
A. I have two: Storm Boy and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (The Gene Wilder version, not the Johnny Depp one).
Q. Who is your favourite book character?
A. This always changes. Currently it's the pigeon from Don't Let the Pigeon
Drive the
Bus by the American author Mo Willems. I love the pigeon's cheekiness
and determination to drive that bus! It's one of the funniest picture books out
there!
Q. Where is your special place to read?
A. In summer it's under one of the palm trees in the St. Kilda Botanical Gardens in Melbourne. In winter it's in bed!
Q. What book are you reading now?
A. I'm reading two at the moment. The Kite Runner ( I must be the last person on the planet to read this) and Slam by Nick Hornby.
