All stops to Woy Woy for children’s author

When it comes to travel, author Robin George would rather choose a road trip to Woy Woy over a flight to New York, any day of the week.

The Melbourne-based writer of children’s picture books has never been to the Central Coast let alone Woy Woy, but it’s at the top of his bucket list.

So why Woy Woy?

His debut book, Waiting at Woy Woy, has just been published by Pow! Kids Books based in Brooklyn, New York, and is soon to be released in Australia.

“Why Woy Woy?” he said.

“I’ve never been there, but I’ve always wanted to go there because I love the name and children love the name.

“Also, I’m a Spike Milligan fan.”

As most know Milligan’s mother lived at Woy Woy and it was the butt of many a Spike Milligan joke.

“It looks beautiful, and I believe the name comes from an Aboriginal word meaning lots of water which is a central theme of the book,” George said.

The book is centred on a musical mouse called Mordy who needs saving, but the community procrastinates.

“I invented a community centred around the name Woy Woy where the central character is a mouse called Mordy who is a musician and plays at the Woy Woy café every Saturday night,” George said.

“One Saturday, Mordy is swept away by a rainstorm, down a drain.

“While everyone sits around wondering what to do, Tyrone the dog leaps in and saves him.”

The retired drama/English teacher said the book had a very important message for children.

“Don’t sit around waiting for something to happen, be proactive and have a look at what is actually happening,” he said.

George said he was inspired by the saying: “If not me, who? If not now, when?”

He said while the book was most definitely a work of fiction, he hoped it would whip up curiosity in the region.

“I hope so; it’s great fun, it presents a worthwhile message – it is written with kindness and good spirit,” he said.

For the book, George has teamed-up with English illustrator Emily Snape to bring the story of a sleepy town to life.

“I really want to go to Woy Woy before I go to Brooklyn,” he said.

“I want to compare the reality with the image.”

Waiting at Woy Woy will be distributed in Australia by Simon and Schuster Australia.

Denice Barnes