April's Family Fun Days sail into the Custom House Maritime Museum next week, along with a special appearance by Piratess Tilly, the heroine of two critically acclaimed books by local author and Newburyport mom Elizabeth Lorayne. We caught up with Elizabeth to find out more about the book series and its focus on a smart, strong female character who loves science and exploration.
Newburyport Macaroni Kid: Many children's-book authors are inspired to write because they perceive a gap in representation for a certain kind of kid. Did you feel that there was something missing from bookshelves?
Elizabeth Lorayne: When I first felt inspired to create the character of Piratess Tilly, I had observed a huge gap on the bookshelves. I saw far too few picture books with strong, intelligent, compassionate, relatable (to me), adventuresome heroines, let alone ones interested in science and history. And I therefore wanted more for my own daughter and for myself - I even wanted to see someone who represented pieces of myself as a child because I imagined I wasn't the only one who was was curious about nature. Or who cared about saving the animals and the planet. Or who was a leader. Or who loved being outside - on the water sailing.
MK: What gave you the idea for the character of Piratess Tilly?
Elizabeth: It was hard for me not to feel as though there were many girls possibly feeling left out - ones not interested in being a princess or in becoming a ballerina, for instance. Why couldn't there be a young girl who aspires to be a naturalist - not afraid to get muddy - in her jeans and a t-shirt captaining her own ship? I certainly hadn't come across any strong pirate heroines and although Piratess Tilly isn't your typical 'pirate' she does cop an attitude of fierceness and determination, sometimes even stealing onto actual pirate ships to rescue animals - standing up for those in need.
MK: What do you hope kids will get out of reading the Piratess Tilly books?
Elizabeth: I hope kids who read about Piratess Tilly and her crew feel empowered. I hope the mix of poetry, art, science, and adventure stirs their imagination and sense of excitement and curiosity about the world around them - inspiring them to get outside and explore, while also learning to respect Mother Nature. I hope kids, especially girls, feel as though they too can be the captain of their own ship - to lead important voyages around their own world - to not give up, but instead to charge ahead and pave their own path.
MK: So far there are two books in the series. What's next for Piratess Tilly? Will there be a third?
Elizabeth: Haha, I've only just published the second one! There will be an official book launch on Saturday, May 13, at the Custom House Maritime Museum, including lots of fun kids' activities. The event is also a fundraiser for CURESPG47, a rare disease affecting a local family.
I would love to have the opportunity to write a third book - to possibly tell the story of how Piratess Tilly rescued her best friend, Koala Yuki.
MK: How do you measure success as a writer?
Elizabeth: In those moments I see the child's eyes light up when they hear the story or even just hear what the book is about - particularly that it's written in haiku. There's something magical and special seeing older children get excited that it's written in a form of poetry they've just learned themselves in school. I think seeing it as a way to tell a story shows them the power of writing and of creativity. And that's when I feel successful - that I've shown them a different way of doing something - just like Piratess Tilly is a different kind of kid.
For more information about the "Adventures of Piratess Tilly" book series, please visit: https://www.piratesstilly.com/. Also follow her adventures on Facebook.
