Welcome to #TheQuickSixInterview with Rhonda Ooi and Mel Corrigan!
We’re over the moon to welcome back a fabulous author-illustrator duo, who show us what a stellar collaboration looks like with every piece they produce. One of our wonderful combos from Our Australian HeArt, Rhonda Ooi and Mel Corrigan, are here to share their newest creation – the magnificent, I Am NOT An Owl! Once again, Rhonda and Mel have perfectly captured a piece of nostalgia, a sense of warmth and a ‘hole’ lot of intrigue with their narrative non-fiction all about a boy called Alexander and his fascination with Australian nocturnal animals. Despite Mummy’s request, Alexander thinks daytime naps are silly, especially since he is NOT nocturnal. Paired with snappy animal facts set on alphabetised call cards, the young boy mimics the nighttime creatures through a range of fun actions. An owl ‘searches, spies and SWOOPS‘. A flying fox ‘dangles and reaches‘. A possum ‘balances, scampers and… SNATCHES‘. Rhonda’s entertaining, action-packed narrative takes Alexander on a fun-filled, messy and curious outdoor adventure, while Mel’s beautiful pencil and digital watercolour illustrations divinely capture the spirit, energy and detail of the boy and his beloved nocturnal inspirations. I love the way he dresses up for every scene! This is a book NOT to be missed – especially for those wide-awake (day and) night owls!
24 hours of fun in one book! Congratulations, Rhonda and Mel 🙂
About the Author
Rhonda Ooi is a primary school teacher and author, inspired by her own childhood and the children in her life. Her previous work includes a collaboration with illustrator Mel Corrigan on Sweet Summer Days (Our Australian HeART, 2023).
Rhonda’s debut picture book, I’m NOT an Owl (Woodslane Press, 1 May 2025), and her second picture book, Ned Needs to Build (Tiny Seed imprint of Starfish Bay Publishing, 7 July 2025), are on their way.
Please find Rhonda Ooi at her website: Rhonda Ooi Author – Rhonda Ooi, Children’s Books, Children’s Author and on Instagram and Facebook.
About the Illustrator
Mel Corrigan is passionate about capturing the playfulness and imagination of children. She finds inspiration in the little things – the everyday joys and interactions that colour our days.
Her works include: Deva the Bengal Boat Cat (2023), ‘Sweet Summer Days’ artwork in Our Australian Heart anthology (2023), US picture book Mrs Best’s Special Class (2024), I am NOT an Owl with Woodslane Press (2025) and The Little Book of Mining with Little Steps Publishing (due for release November 2025)..
Please find Mel Corrigan at her website: Illustrator | Mel Corrigan and on Instagram and Facebook.
I Am NOT An Owl! is available for purchase via Woodslane Press.
Teaching notes are available here.
Thanks to Woodslane Press for providing a complimentary copy of I Am NOT An Owl!
WHO wrote, illustrated and published this book?
Rhonda Ooi is the author, Mel Corrigan is the illustrator and Woodslane Press are the publisher.
WHAT is it about?
It is a story, with bite-sized asides of fascinating facts, that explores the world of Australian nocturnal animals through the eyes of an inquisitive child.
Alexander can hum like a cricket and tell you all about Tasmanian devils. But the most important thing he knows is… nocturnal animals are asleep when he is awake. He wonders why Mummy would want him to sleep when the Sun is still high in the sky.
What is your favourite part of this book?
Rhonda: I love the end. Alexander might sleep…eventually. My other favourite things are the gorgeous animal costumes Mel created for Alexander.
Mel: My favourite part is when Alexander dresses up as an owl and flies down the slide.
What media did you use to illustrate it?
I started with pencil sketches. They were scanned into the computer, and then digitally illustrated with colour pencil and watercolour brushes using Procreate on the iPad.
WHEN is its release / launch date?
It will be released on 1st May. We are having a few events. First a launch after story-time at Sandringham Library at 11 am on Tuesday 13th May. Then a launch at Readings St Kilda at 2pm on 18th May. Rhonda will be launching it at Where The Wild Things Are bookshop in Brisbane at 11am on Sunday 27th of July along with her 2nd book.
WHERE did the inspiration for this book come from?
Rhonda: When my son was a preschooler and had given up his day sleeps, we were in the car and he was looking tired. I suggested that he should have a sleep. He said, ‘I’m not an owl Mummy!’ Shortly after he fell asleep.
Mel: My kids loved dress ups when they were young. When I read Rhonda’s manuscript and discovered that Alexander was acting out the actions of the different nocturnal animals, I straight away pictured him dressed up in animal costumes.
WHY is this book meaningful to you?
Rhonda: There are many reasons. Although this was the 2nd publishing contract, I signed, it will be my first published book because my other one isn’t released till 7 July. The story is close to my heart because my son was the inspiration. It was such a gift to have my first publishing experience with Mel as my illustrator. I didn’t plan on finding an illustrator myself, but when a publisher where I wanted to submit, wanted both the manuscript and illustrations, I reached out to the lovely kidlit community and was introduced to Mel. I loved her work as soon as I saw it. I feel so blessed to have worked with her.
Mel: This is my first traditionally published book, and it has been such a special experience to have collaborated with Rhonda and to have worked as a team from the beginning all the way through to promoting the book. Â
As soon as I read Rhonda’s manuscript, I was immediately excited. I am fascinated with the little imaginative worlds that kids create in their play. I loved the intensity of Alexander’s interest in nocturnal animals, and I wanted to focus on his creative play in my illustrations. Also, I thoroughly enjoy drawing animals, so I was delighted with the non-fiction fact boxes as it gave me the opportunity to capture the beauty of these native animals.
Why would its message resonate with readers?
It is beautifully illustrated with a mix of story and non-fiction. Children will relate to Alexander and enjoy learning about Australian nocturnal animals. Parents will relate to the struggle to get their children to sleep and educators and librarians will love the possibility to link it to the curriculum.
HOW long did it take to write?
My first draft was in early 2022 and we signed the contract at the end of 2023, so about a year and a half, on and off. The idea was on my list since around 2008.
How long did it take to illustrate?
I spent approximately 1-2 months creating the storyboard and two finished spreads for submission to the publisher. Once we had signed the contract, it took about 3-4 months (spread over 8 months) to complete the illustrations.
How do you feel about the text / illustrations? Do they convey the feeling or mood you envisioned?
Rhonda: When I first saw the illustrations, I cried. They are so beautiful. Although Mel didn’t know me or my son at the time, Alexander looked like him when he was little. We were meant to work together! Mel has captured Alexander’s sensitive character.
Mel: I am so happy with the final book! I think that the text and illustrations successfully capture the enthusiasm and energy of a young child who is engrossed in a topic of interest. Rhonda’s narrative cleverly interweaves the delay tactics and refusal to nap that many parents will be able to relate to.
OTHER information or experiences you’d like to share?
Rhonda: I worked on this story with Zanni Louise and it was Zanni who put me in touch with Claire Thompson who put me in touch with Mel. Alexander originally had little jobs to do between animals. He was a palaeontologist, fire fighter, dancer. Zanni suggested I simplify it. So I am NOT an Owl was born. So I’d like to thank Zanni Louise and Claire Thompson for helping get I am NOT an Owl into the world.Â
Please share your some of your favourite promotional ideas for this book.
We have been visiting independent book shops and libraries meeting book sellers and librarians. We hope they will play a part in getting our book into the hands of readers. We’ve been growing our Instagram accounts and joined a debut kidlit group so we can all share our books. We’re in the process of making a book trailer and drawing on our contacts to share it.
LOVE this gorgeous book, Rhonda and Mel! Congratulations! 🙂
#thequicksixinterview #iamnotanowl #nocturnalanimals #australiananimals #picturebook #justkidslit
