Gregg Dreise is an author and illustrator and is a descendent of the Kamilaroi tribe, from south-west Queensland and north-west New South Wales. Gregg was born and raised in St George, Queensland, and was lucky enough to be raised in a family that loved sport, music and poetry. He is currently a teacher on the Sunshine Coast.
Today, he’s on the blog to answer a few questions about his new picture book, Cunning Crow. Read on!
Gregg Dreise
Why did you write Cunning Crow?
GD: Cunning Crow is part of a series that’s about trying to bring back endangered or broken stories from my country. It celebrates our differences in colours through the rainbow of colours found in Australian birds.
How did the idea of writing a morality series come to you, and why did you want to target children?
GD: My culture and love for traditional Aboriginal storytelling inspires me to continue the generational heritage of my people. I am just following in the talented footsteps of my ancestors.
Your art is beautiful and so captivating. How much joy do you get out of creating illustrations with children in mind?
GD: Art is very relaxing for me. I often act out little scenes to get into the mind of the characters – it must be funny to watch me illustrate ☺
Can you please tell us what the illustrations are all about and how they are connected to Dreamtime?
GD: All of my illustrations have places from my Country in mind. I try to incorporate our traditional abstract art into the Earth Mother throughout my illustrations.
What is the Dreamtime and what does it mean to you?
GD: The Dreamtime was the time when Biamme travelled our country creating our morals and the place as we know it. My Dreaming is today – I try to live life with respect for our Elder’s tradition – to look after our Earth Mother and our fellow countrymen. We are all respectfully equal. We should not be a part of a life of power and greed, which continually surrounds and saddens me.
Do you, or anyone you know, personally relate to the story of Cunning Crow?
GD: Sadly, I grew up experiencing racism and find it still to this day. All Australians are aware that we live in a multicultural society, however I hope that the multiculturalism will lead us back to what we had in Australia – an intercultural society, one where we all walk together as equals.
When did you first become a published author and what was your first book?
GD: My first book, Aussie Bush Bedtime, was published in 2005 with Scholastic but was sadly never finished as I got cancer. After years of treatment and recovery, Silly Birds was published in 2015 with Magabala Books.
It’s very important for young children in Australia – of all different races – to be exposed not only to Aboriginal history, but Aboriginal stories, texts and illustrations. What can you say about this?
GD: Cunning Crow highlights the fact that we are all different and that you should be proud of who you are no matter what your colour or culture is. Sadly, when I grew up it was hard to find books with multicultural characters. Thankfully, this is now changing. I hope all readers enjoy learning about everyone’s differences.
Do you have any amusing anecdotes you can share about the creation of this book?
GD: Both my editor Maryann and designer Donna are a barrel of fun to work with.
What has been the nicest thing that kids and families have said about how your books have contributed to their lives?
GD: I have travelled all over Australia and to other countries with my books and people have been wonderfully generous with their praise. I have also been fortunate enough to win some wonderful awards. Thank you to all my readers out there – you inspire me to keep doing what I love. Thank you all.
Thanks Gregg!
Q&A posted with permission from Magabala Books.
Cunning Crow
Way back, before once-upon-a-time, there was the Dreamtime when all the birds were white.
One of those white birds was a crow called Waan. One day a big storm came through and a magnificent rainbow appeared. When the birds passed through the rainbow, one by one, their feathers took on its beautiful colours. Waan flew through the rainbow too and his feathers became a beautiful red and orange. But Waan was jealous of the other birds. He wanted to be more beautifully coloured than anyone. So Waan hatched a cunning plan...
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