Plus, learn what it was like transforming their podcast into book form, and find out which real life kids inspired the characters.
What inspired you to create the Yarn Quest trilogy?
Jade Goodwin: Yarn Quest is a magical adventure series that started as a podcast and blossomed into a beautiful book series. It's filled with fun, friendship and imagination. The initial idea came to life as a celebration for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day.
Brooke Scobie: As First Nations creators, we believe it’s important for kids in our communities to see themselves in stories that don’t centre around our trauma, or even focus on identity. So, Yarn Quest was born: A world where my daughter, Sibyl, and Jade’s niblings, Tane and P, can be celebrated, go on magical adventures and be the heroes.
How did the transition from podcast to book series happen, and what challenges did you face in the process?
BS: For me, it was easy because I’m a writer! I loved coming up with stories with kids on the podcast, so the transition was easy.
JG: As the illustrator, the transition from podcast to book series was both challenging and really fun. Bringing the characters to life in book-form required a deeper level of detail and storytelling through visuals. One of the biggest challenges was ensuring that the characters maintained their charm and authenticity while enhancing their designs to suit the printed page.
What are the main themes and messages you hope to convey through Yarn Quest?
JG: Yarn Quest is all about celebrating friendship, courage and the boundless power of imagination.
BS: It’s also about the destructive nature of greed, the ongoing horrors of colonialism, normalising different gender expression and neurodivergence, climate change, caring for Country, the importance of storytelling as a life-changing practice and collectivism. We want children and adults alike to read this series and see the parallels to our real world, and to make changes in their lives to better support First Nations sovereignty, protect queer kids and care for Country.
JG: The series promotes the idea that magic and wonder can be found in the world around us, encouraging kids to dream big and embrace their own stories.
What role does Country play in Yarn Quest?
JG: Country plays a vital role in Yarn Quest, providing a rich and magical backdrop for the stories. The natural landscapes and settings are inspired by the beautiful places we've spent time in and the places we’ve lived.
BS: Country is a character of its own. These stories would look, feel and sound so different if they weren’t based on my experiences as an east coast First Nations person. I grew up on Darug land and now I live on Darkinjung land, and Country has inspired me and given me so much power. The Story Realm itself is like a magical uncolonised version of Country here on the East Coast. It’s how I imagine this land would look when we decolonise this place.
What do you hope readers, especially children, will take away from the book?
BS: I hope the books inspire a joy of reading and, most of all, a desire to write. Reading made me a writer – KA Applegate’s Everworld series changed me on a cellular level.
JG: I hope the books show kids that adventure can be found in everyday life and that their stories are worth telling. I hope they feel inspired to use their imaginations, cherish their friendships and embrace their unique identities.
BS: I also hope that parents reading can wake up to the damages of colonialism and join us in the fight against it.
What was your favourite scene to write about/draw?
BS: No spoilers, but there is a scene in book three where Sibyl must make a huge decision. Writing that scene, with my baby being brave, using her cultural knowledge, love for Country and her cousins P and Tane was so wonderful. Sibby and I have started reading the Yarn Quest books together every night, and I CANNOT WAIT to read that scene with her. I’m predicting she will cry.
JG: My favourite scenes to draw were always the ones filled with silliness and fun. Without giving too much away, I especially loved working on these non-silly scenes:
- Book one: the dream scene
- Book two: P and the kingfisher
- Book three: Sibyl and the ‘portals’
The drawings I’ve made for Yarn Quest are some of my favourite drawings I’ve ever made!
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