It’s all here, kids: burps, farts, aliens
IN HIS SEQUEL TO the Battle of Bash, Kiwi author Mr Mac has Norm, Ruby and The Super Weirdos battling a new enemy, Queen Roodle. This book has everything kids could want, an army of spaghetti and meatballs monsters, fart jokes, burps, space travel, aliens, adventure, secrets and more.
We asked Mr Mac some questions:
What inspired you to write and illustrate this book?
I am a primary school teacher and I love helping kids gain confidence. I started writing to get kids to really enjoy reading, to have them laughing and, importantly, to help all kids, not just the ones who already like reading.
When I saw how successful my first book (The Battle of Bash) was with kids aged 7-13, I couldn’t wait to write another one. I love the idea of Carol Dwek’s growth mindset. I have tailored this book to teach kids my alien secrets through the life of Norm. Some of my alien secrets are 1: Never give up! Never surrender! 2: Just get started! and 8: Stop, breathe, smile, focus.
I love hearing from teachers who say things like, ‘I said ‘remember alien secret number 2’ and the kids just started working. Amazing.’ I want to build a series that helps kids learn the skills needed to achieve their goals in life while making them laugh and love reading.
What age range is this book aimed at, and what should your readers expect?
My books are aimed at readers aged 7 to 13.
Every time I write my books I always make sure I test them on the kids in my class. I get feedback from them and try my best to add jokes I know they’d like because I’ve used them in class or heard them say them to their friends. I teach years 5 and 6 (9, 10, 11 year-olds) but I know many intermediates and colleges used them, too.
How does being a teacher help when writing for children?
For me, it’s my point of difference. I have my target market in front of me every day. I can use my writing to help me teach literacy, which engages all of my readers. I can ask them for ideas that I really will put in my book. If they don’t like it, I can edit it in real-time to make it better. If they suggest a change, I can make it there and then in front of them. I have been blown away by the number of kids, boys, especially who have said to me, “I’m writing a novel, can you read it?” I love that they see writing as an achievable goal because they have someone at their school who is doing it.
What is your view on ‘reluctant’ readers, and what can parents do to help their
children who aren’t keen on reading?
I think of this a lot. A teacher I respected once said to me, “You wouldn’t drive past a half-built house and say that frame will never amount to much, so why do we expect kids to be able to read straight away?
These kids are under construction.” I see a lot of parents put pressure on their kids, which puts the kids off. Happy kids learn best. Listen to what they are interested in and print some information about that topic.
For example, if they like gardening, rugby, penguins, Africa, cars or space, find some information about that topic and print it off. Leave it sitting somewhere obvious and if it has a picture on it, the child will find it and they will be curious. Support the child to read what they want to read and they won’t look back.
Is there another Super Weirdos book in the pipeline?
Absolutely. I love the writing process and I am already busy writing my third book, The Super Weirdos and the Death Beard Domination. I’ve been laughing away to myself for a couple of weeks now while writing.
I have a plan to write 10 books in this series with a range of alien secrets to help kids learn how to get the most out of their life.