That bliss called childhood

My brain stopped growing once I turned 14,”  Christo-pher Cheng, award-winning author of children’s books declares in good humour. On that note, kids around the globe are perhaps saying a little thank you prayer. After all, the Australian author’s reluctance to forsake that bliss called childhood has translated into a long list of popular children’s books. “As a child I loved reading and writing. It made me happy,” he says.

Today, he has to his credit more than 40 children’s books in print and digital formats, including the recently published picture book Sounds Spooky and Water, the historical fiction titled New Gold Mountain and the Melting Pot and the non-fiction titled 30 Amazing Australian Animals and Australia’s Greatest Inventions and Innovations.

His first job was at the Sydney Zoo and there he found the fodder for many of his animal stories. Later, working as teacher meant frequent interactions with students. And in the process he picked up the finer nuances of writing for children. “My latest book is on water. We all know countries like India, Australia and China suffer from water scarcity. I gave all the relevant information in the book, but to sustain the interest level it’s done in story format. Remember, there should be equal balance between the text and illustrations,” he explains.

Reading books in times of Play Station games may be a dwindling option for many, but Christopher believes it’s all about cultivating the habit. “To lure youngsters into the world of books may be a writer’s creative prerogative, but the story doesn’t end there. A model  behaviour from parents should be set. They too should pick up a book on a regular basis,” he insists.

Delving further on the subject, Christopher urges, “Just pick a book. If you don’t enjoy reading it, well then drop it. But please don’t stop, simply pick another title. If not the book, read on the computer or iPad, but keep alive the art of reading. Parents and school librarians need to make sure there is a wide variety on offer. Preference is individual-centric, if your child likes one edition of the Harry Potter series, there is no hard and fast rule that he will be fascinated with the next as well.”

“Personally speaking, youngsters in my family know very well what to expect for a Christmas or birthday present from me. Some of them suggest a change, but I don’t buy the idea,” he says with an impish grin.

Being a book lover, he finds ranking literary works a tough task, but he does have a favourite. “It’s C.J. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” he says, adding, “I was eight years old when it came to me as a gift. And I love reading from the old book, although it’s in tatters and I have another copy in good shape.”

Currently the Sydney-based author is working on four titles. Talking about one of them, he shares, “My neighbour has jotted down the questions her inquisitive son of three has raised. My answer to his queries will soon come in the form of a book.”

Having travelled far and wide, Chris makes a pertinent remark about his young audience — “With my experience of travelling worldwide, I can say, kids all over the world are the same. They laugh at the same jokes and get scared at the same things. It is when they turn into adults that the differences crop up. That’s one solid reason why I refuse to grow up.”