Leaky Story

A book sits abandoned on a living room shelf. While the Blossburn family happily gets on with other things like watching TV and playing video games, the book aches to be read. The longer it sits abandoned, the more it aches. At last the book can't take it any longer.

Slowly it starts to swell. Then it starts to leak! At first it's only a small trickle, but eventually the Blossburns can no longer ignore the octopus, crabs and other marine life that are swirling around their suburban home. And when pirates sail out of the book, the family must band together to reclaim their living room. Can J.J. and his parents find a way to get the characters back in the book? And in the process, will they discover that sometimes books are the best fun of all? The Leaky Story is an action-packed adventure into the wonderful world of books, the power of the imagination, the art of storytelling and the importance of family.

About the Authors

Devon Sillett is a former radio producer, turned writer and reviewer. Born in the US, Devon now calls Australia home. She is currently completing her PhD on children’s picture books at the University of Canberra, Devon also teaches in the writing department. In 2013, Devon was awarded the Australian Postgraduate Award for her research into YA speculative fiction. In her spare time, she can be found building Lego superheroes and playing tiny plastic musical instruments with her young sons Aaron and Jay, or reading a cosy book next to her husband Matthew.

Anil Tortop was born and raised in Turkey, moving to Australia in early 2011. She’s been trying to get used to the local eight-legged house intruders and slithering visitors ever since! As well as illustrating books, Anil also works as an animator and character/concept designer. She lives with her husband in Brisbane. In their small home studio together, they call themselves ‘Children’s Booksmiths’.