The Quick Six Interview with Karen Tyrrell

Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Karen Tyrrell!

It is always a pleasure to follow the success journey of award-winning author, Karen Tyrrell, ready to celebrate the release of yet another wonderfully empowering children’s book! Multi-competition shortlister, Andy & Ghost Boy is a funny and powerful middle grade novel full of twists, turns and energy that also shines a valuable light on managing the challenges of anxiety and navigating bullying. Described as ‘relatable’, ‘reassuring’ and ’empowering’, this heartfelt story has the added bonus of something with a whole lot of spirit!

Congratulations, Karen! 🙂

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About the Author

KAREN TYRRELL is a Brisbane award-winning child empowerment author, teacher, keynote speaker and workshop presenter.  Karen is a proud Children’s Rights Ambassador for Queensland, and an Australia Reads Ambassador.

Karen writes books to help kids live strong.

She won an Arts Queensland grant for picture book Ready Set Discover Logan.

Her acclaimed books, including Song Bird series Song Bird Superhero, The Battle of Bug World, Rainforest Rescue, Great Barrier Reef Rescue, STOP the Bully, Bailey Beats the Blah, Harry Helps Grandpa Remember and Super Space Kids series share messages regarding bully prevention, resilience and caring for the environment. Karen has won three awards, four literary grants, five book sponsorships and a mentorship through the Society of Editors (QLD).

Find Karen Tyrrell at her website: www.karentyrrell.com

And on social media at:

Instagram: @KarenTyrrellAuthor | Twitter: @Karen_Tyrrell | Facebook: @KarenTyrrellAuthor

Andy & Ghost Boy is available for pre-order purchase at Karen Tyrrell’s website

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Enjoy the Andy & Ghost Boy book trailer!

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WHO wrote, illustrated and published this book?

Karen Tyrrell wrote Andy & Ghost Boy. Nicola Hooper illustrated the cover.

Digital Future Press is the publisher.

WHAT’S it about?

Disaster magnet, Anxious Andy dreams of finding one true friend and his forever school, but how can he when Ghost Boy, his rambunctious friend, sabotages everything?

Andy and Ghost Boy trigger a catastrophe at school.

At Camp Discovery, a bully showdown results in disaster.

Can Andy become the hero and save the day?

The book teaches resilience and coping skills.

What is your favourite part of this book?

I love the spontaneous humour, the positive energy, and the intrigue surrounding Andy & Ghost Boy.

I love discovering who Ghost Boy is. Who is Ghost Boy anyway?

I especially love the book’s twists and the ending.

WHEN did you begin writing this book?

4 years ago, during the outbreak of Covid.

It was then shortlisted in the CYA Writing Competition 2022 and shortlisted in the SCBWI-Larrikin House Competition 2022.

When is its launch date?

Launches on Saturday 22 July 2:30 pm, at Where the Wild Things Are Bookshop, Brisbane.

Anna Byrd Author/ Reviewer will be MC. 

WHERE did the inspiration for this book come from?

I have a lived-experience with anxiety. I wrote this story which is close to my heart, to share gentle coping skills with kids.

WHY is this book meaningful to you?

In 2020, I personally caught crippling anxiety, unable to leave the house.

Writing Andy & Ghost Boy gave me a reason to get out of bed and a purpose.

Why would its message resonate with readers?

Andy is an adorable, relatable character, forcing kids to laugh at his situation and empathise at the same time.

HOW do you feel about the illustrations / cover design?

 I LOVE Nicola Hooper’s artwork and how she brings Andy & Ghost Boy to life.

How do they convey the feeling or mood you envisioned?

Nicola shows how Andy feels about himself and gives hints about Ghost Boy, his whacky, unpredictable friend.

How have you promoted this book and how can we find it?

PRE-ORDER www.karentyrrell.com

 I have been promoting the book on my social media pages at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

OTHER information or experiences you’d like to share?

Andy & Ghost Boy will feature at the Diverse Learners Symposium in Brisbane on 5 August. School teachers and teacher-librarians are attending from across Australia.

Kidlit leaders shared their thoughts on Andy & Ghost Boy:-

‘Karen Tyrrell does it again in her signature, action-packed style – empowering young readers with insights and coping skills to bravely face challenges. Her delightfully relatable character Andy is tired of stumbling through school life, constantly tripped up by his raging anxiety. He longs for success at his newest school. With a little supernatural support from his new sidekick, the zany and vaporous Ghost Boy, perhaps this time Andy will make friends and reach his goals…’

– Alison Stegert, Author, SCBWI QLD ARA, School Counsellor.

‘Imaginative and relatable for anxious kids.’

–  Zewlan Moor, Author | GP | Bibliotherapist @byronbiblio 

‘A timely, reassuring and hopeful read.’

– Anna Byrd Author, Book Reviewer

‘A rollicking read, packed with bravery.’

-Wenda Shurety Author

‘Heartfelt and humorous story empowering children to cope with challenges and fears.’

-Brooke Graham Author

‘Andy’s authentic voice will entertain and empower anxious children.’

-Jacqui Halpin Author

Thanks, Karen! Congratulations and all the best with your fun and empowering new book, Andy & Ghost Boy! 🙂

#thequicksixinterview #andyandghostboy #bullying #anxiety #middlegrade