Give Me a Tent in My Own Backyard… Searching for Solitude

By Sharon Giltrow

As creatives we all crave solitude, space, some time alone to be with our thoughts and to create. Jo Gliddon-Baker author of GET OUT OF MY TENT may have been searching for some creative solitude in a tent in her own backyard when this solitude was interrupted by her own family.

As creatives we find ourselves in a difficult conundrum. Although we crave solitude, we also need to be around people to experience life, emotions and to ‘mine’ ideas.

And of course, it is often more fun to be around others. Just take a look at Archie’s face doesn’t he look like his having fun 😊.

GET OUT OF MY TENT
Written by: Jo Gliddon-Baker   
Illustrated by:   Aleksandra Szmidt  
Published by: Larrikin Books, 1st November 2021
Archie loves camping, he loves the fresh air. The sounds in the night, the wind in his hair. The warmth of the fire, the lovely smoke scent. But more than all that, Archie just loves his tent. When everyone else thinks that Archie’s little tent looks more inviting than their own and they begin to pile in, Archie has to come up with a quick plan to get them all out. Can you guess how?

Now, let’s see some of Jo’s favourite spreads from GET OUT OF MY TENT and find out why she loves them.

J - I love this spread because I can just imagine how cramped that poor little stretched tent is. Sometimes when we go camping as a family all kinds of ridiculous and unexpected things happen too. Archie's cheeky face as he hatches his plan is priceless.

S – This page is a great example of using a page turn to create suspense and humour. The reader is left guessing about what Archie plans to do.  The illustrations give them a clue about what that could be  from the mischievous look on his face.

J - Who hasn't been in a situation like this? Whether it's a tent, an elevator, or a classroom, everyone has wanted to run from a stinky fart!

S- Children reading this page will instantly relate to the situation. This scene appeals to a child’s sense of humour. After all farts are one of the funniest things. Just ask any teacher who has tried to get a class back on task after hearing the spine chilling words “Who farted?” Followed by the teacher asking “Does anyone need to go to the toilet?”

Next time you’re craving solitude and can’t seem to get it. Take a deep breath and look around. There may be many fragrant… ideas floating in the air.

See you in June with another great Aussie book.
 
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GIVEAWAY
For a chance to win a copy of our book GET OUT OF MY TENT

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4. The winner will be announced on twitter on Monday 30th April
   

BIO:
Sharon Giltrow grew up in South Australia, the youngest of eight children, surrounded by pet sheep and fields of barley. She now lives in Perth, Western Australia with her husband, two children and a tiny dog. Sharon has taught for all of her career. Previously a teacher of children who are hearing impaired and Deaf-Blind, she now teaches young children with Developmental Language Disorder. Her humorous debut PB, BEDTIME DADDY! released May 2020 through EK books. Sharon’s humorous follow up PB, GET READY, MAMA! Is due to be released through EK books in April, 2022. Her third PB, LET’S GO SHOPPING, GRANDMA! is due to be released through Dixi Books in 2022. SAMARA RUBIN AND THE UTILITY BELT, book one in Sharon’s early MG series – THE UTILITY BELT, will be released in 2022 through Clear Fork Publishing.  With book two TOBY KING AND THE UTILITY BELT to follow.
 
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