Tilly & Billy Travel the World

Tilly & Billy Travel the World

McSlimey is mean, green and nasty. He's stolen the -D' from the Hollywood sign and it's a race to restore it before the Academy Awards.

Luckily, the Goodies Against Baddies (GAB) know exactly what to do. Secret agents Tilly and Billy along with their meerkat, Meeka, land in Los Angeles with just five hours, five minutes and fifty-five seconds to get the -D' back. With the help of bang belts and solar powered backpacks, as well as Meeka's awesome binocular vision, they chase McSlimey across the city. Can good overcome evil?

The first book in the new series by Melbourne writer Dawn MacKenzie, Tilly & Billy Travel the World is an exciting adventure-packed travel tale for young readers.

Dawn MacKenzie was born in Melbourne, Australia. She studied to be a registered nurse and later a midwife. After 20 years managing a family business, Dawn followed her passion to write. She believes in positive parenting and that education should be fun and stimulating for children. With 8 grandchildren as her inspiration, she began writing children's books. Having a love of travel, fun and education, -Tilly and Billy Travel the World' was born.

Tilly & Billy Travel the World
Busybird
Author: Dawn MacKenzie with Angela Knights
Illustrator: Kev Howlett
ISBN: 9780987599766
RRP: $12.95

Interview with Dawn MacKenzie

Question: What inspired the idea for the Tilly & Billy series?

Dawn MacKenzie: While travelling through Italy and being totally lost, an idea for a children's book came to me. The idea to teach children about world travel was important. The whole plot just grew in my head!

From travel, to adventure, goodies versus baddies, fun and bullying became the essential ingredients for a subliminally educational early chapter book.


Question: Why was it important for this story to be for reading-shy kids?

Dawn MacKenzie: Before starting to write, I researched what was available and what was needed for young children.

It soon became apparent that there was a gap in the market for an early chapter book for boys and girls. It had to be fun, fast moving, educational and add moral values for the reader. I spoke with groups of young children around the target age (7-9year olds), teachers and librarians. They all agreed that my concept.


Question: What originally inspired your passion for writing?

Dawn MacKenzie: At school, I loved to write and my English teacher encouraged me to experiment with my writing.

I was a Registered nurse and periodically wrote articles for a Healthcare Journal.

Later I became a chapter author in a book about Dementia Care.

As a young -Nan' with 8 grandchildren, I love to make up stories and tell them to my grandchildren. We share crazy ideas, plots, writing concepts and laughter. Naturally over time it was inevitable that a book for children was going to emerge… 'Tilly and Billy Travel the World' was born.


Question: How have your eight grandchildren enjoyed Tilly & Billy Travel the World

Dawn MacKenzie: My grandchildren love the book and the characters. They want to help me with creative ideas, think of some inventions for Billy and they adore Meeka the meerkat.

They also love to hate McSlimey most of all.

He is a bully and one grandchild has had an experience of bullying and the other one knows a bully at his school.

Two of the grandchildren have been involved in the recording of a Tilly and Billy song. A real family affair!

Question: Did any of your own grandchild inspire the characters of Tilly & Billy Travel the World?

Dawn MacKenzie: About six years ago my twin grandchildren were born.

They were the inspiration for the main characters.

Although Tilly and Billy are brother and sister, they originally were twins. My editor said they were too nice and needed to have brother/ sister banter to make the story more interesting. Because the twins had a bond, it was necessary for them to be brother and sister.

Their characteristics closely resemble my grandchildren.


Interview by Brooke Hunter