Innovative book series to inspire the young
By Sonia Isaacs
HINTERLAND creative and Sunny Coast Showdown activator Dan Munday has recently launched an innovative book series aimed at inspiring young readers to embrace recycling and repurposing.
A passionate advocate for the environment and creativity, Dan hopes his whimsical adventure book series could prompt the first step in a journey to create more awareness in young people about the value (and fun) of making something new out of something old.
The series, Frankenrhyme Adventures, introduces Frank and Stein, two inventive kids who transform broken toys into “Supertoys” to solve mysteries and save their community.
Speaking with GC&M News, Dan revealed that his initial inspiration for the series began with a playful observation of a scuffle between a chook and a kookaburra which prompted the hybrid word Chookaburra to pop into his head.
“It made me chuckle and was soon followed by Kangamoo, Crabbit and Raterpiller,” explained Dan. “As the list of characters grew, so did their world, and questions for me about where did these creatures come from? In some ways they were almost Frankenstein-esque.
“And then bingo! I had the background of two kids named Frank and Stein who make toys out of broken one. And also let’s face it – Dr Frankenstein was one of the original recyclers!” laughed Dan.
Years later, during a hospital stay in 2020, he channeled his creativity and humor to pen the first draft of Kangamoo.
He describes the series as a blend of Dr. Seuss style rhymes, dad jokes, and a Monty Pythonesque sense of humor, all with an environmental and social twist.
Dan is now inviting readers to vote on the next book in the series, with options including Uniprawn (part unicorn, part prawn), Pigasus, Chimpanbee and Jellygator
Votes can be cast at frankenrhyme.com.au
Dan will be appearing at Rosetta Books during the Maleny Christmas Street Party on December 13, 2024. where he will be signing books and hosting fun activities for kids.