‘The great thing about explorers is that they go wherever they like and do whatever they want, no matter how stupid. They don’t listen to anybody.’

The Really Nearly Deadly Canoe Ride recently hit shelves and it’s another corker from David Metzenthen featuring two of the funniest, coolest, kookiest characters around – Shiny and Pod. It’s the follow-up to the super-dooper Really Really High Diving Tower and The Really Really Epic Mini-Bike Ride, all part of the ‘Aussie Chomps’ series.

Here you can get the inside stuff on the story from the author himself. And, for a chance to WIN your very own copy of the book, just leave a comment telling us your favourite adventure book ever and check back soon to see if you’ve won. The winner will be announced next week!

Dave, what happens in this instalment of the Really series?

Shiny and Pod are given a Canadian canoe, which they paddle down a creek which turns into a river which leads out onto the bay… where there are ships. Of course, they encounter many dangerous and sometimes disgusting things – which tests their seamanship to the limit – although they really have very little skill in paddling, but stacks of enthusiasm for the adventure.

What made you write another book featuring these characters?

I like the boys! I really like their take on the world …They are explorers, and they are slightly crazy … I like their language, I like their terrible suburb, I like the way things go wrong for them.

As a kid, did you go on lots of crazy adventures?

I did go on a few … I used to ride my bike from the city to the bush when I was about twelve… I used to hitch-hike… (God forbid!) I used to play with spears, knives, bows and arrows, sling shots, cracker guns, air rifles etc. I really liked being outside and totally unsupervised.

Sockby, where the stories are set, isn’t the most beautiful town in literary history. Where is it based on?

I just took the worst of many suburbs, and combined these into a place that offers scope for adventure… an industrial estate, a defunct railway line, a dirty creek – choice areas for Shiny and Pod to get out and about… The name comes from the suburb my wife, Fiona, grew up in… Sockburn, in Christchurch, in New Zealand. 

Can you imagine any future Shiny and Pod adventures?

I do have another idea. It involves a method of tranport that is both unusual and has the potential to be extremely dangerous. But I will not reveal it, as no one’s really written about it yet … If people keep reading the Shiny and Pod books, I will try and keep writing them, because I dream of adventures every day! So, get out there – but no hitch-hiking, and never point a spear gun at anyone, and that probably includes fish. 

Hope you enjoy Shiny and Pod’s latest adventure. And don’t forget to leave a comment on your fave adventure book for your chance to win.

Tristan.

www.tristanbancksflow.blogspot.com

Wouldn’t it be cool to be able to draw? Or maybe you can and you want some tips on what to do with your talent? Come and spend a few minutes inside the mind of picture guy (and writer) Gus Gordon, illustrator of The Undys series and the new picture book, Wendy.

What is the best thing about being an illustrator?

The parties and the waterskiing for sure! Other than that it would probably be the daily challenges of trying to control a wobbly line.

Have you ever drawn your way out of a life-or-death situation?

Oh yes, many times! The most terrifying of these type of situations is when your paper is wet and you keep poking your pencil through (pirate situation) or when your hands are handcuffed behind your back (kidnapped by guerrillas situation.) It always amazes me how fast you can draw when there is a shiny sword near your throat. Other than that, no.

Do you and Michael Wagner speak much when you’re working on the Undys books together?

Yes. Luckily he is a nice guy so we have long chats … It often helps to speak to the author. You can get some good insight into the stories (or back stories) of your characters – things that you may help you with the illustrations. Especially when you’re designing the characters. His characters are strong and very visual so that makes it much easier.

Do you have any advice for others who would like to spend their lives getting paid to draw funny pictures? 

Yes. Don’t do it! You will eventually lose your mind. Having said that, this is not such a bad thing for a creative person. Persistence is the key. Stick to your guns, your style will find a home in the end.

What are some of your fave illustrated books?

The Undys (of course) by Michael Wagner.

Aussie Bites (Penguin) are generally always good.

Anything by Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake.