Interview with Bethany Clark Conducted by an Author
Bethany Clark, a South Australian writer and editor, is eager to return to Stansbury, a peaceful haven on Yorke Peninsula, to complete her latest project. Known for her heartwarming and relatable picture books, Clark's upcoming offerings, "You've Got Yoghurt in Your Nostrils" and "Little Love List", continue to celebrate the joys, discoveries, and unconditional love that are inherent in childhood experiences.
Clark's second picture book, "Little Love List", focuses on the theme of unconditional love, highlighting tender emotions and warmth in parent-child relationships. The book's cover and concept revolve around love lists that express affection in simple, touching ways, and it was initially a bedtime story that Clark would tell her son every night.
"You've Got Yoghurt in Your Nostrils," Clark's debut picture book, was inspired by her son's journey of learning to eat solid foods. This joyful celebration of messy mealtimes uses humorous images, like yoghurt in nostrils and avocado-smudged hair, to delight young readers while normalizing the mess that babies make as they learn. The book also has elements of a feminist manifesto, aiming to empower children and their caregivers.
In addition to her writing, Clark enjoys unwinding in Stansbury, where she finds solace in the town's gin bar, excellent pub and café, and the charming bookshop, Peninsula Records and Books. Later this year, Clark plans to start writing retreats at her house in Stansbury, offering a tranquil setting for fellow creatives.
Throughout her career, Clark has dabbled in various fields, including radio, furniture upholstery, and sewing. However, if she could start over, she would be a professional photographer or a painter. Despite her love for art, Clark admits to spending a significant amount of money on buying art instead of creating it herself.
As Clark looks forward to the release of "You've Got Yoghurt in Your Nostrils" and "Little Love List", readers can anticipate stories that reflect everyday childhood moments, whether through humor and sensory play around food or emotionally resonant expressions of love. These books, brought to life by talented illustrators, capture the essence of childhood and the unforgettable moments that make it special.
[1] "You've Got Yoghurt in Your Nostrils" and "Little Love List" Highlight Everyday Childhood Experiences, The Advertiser, link [3] Bethany Clark's New Picture Books Embrace Childhood Joy and Unconditional Love, The Australian, link
- Bethany Clark, inspired by her son's experiences with food, has written a charming picture book titled "You've Got Yoghurt in Your Nostrils," which delves into the messy yet joyful aspect of early solid food consumption.
- In contrast, her second picture book, "Little Love List," explores the theme of unconditional love in family relationships, taking inspiration from a bedtime story Clark used to tell her son.
- Apart from writing, Bethany Clark finds tranquility in Stansbury, appreciating the town's gin bar, excellent pub, café, and bookshop, and plans to host writing retreats there for fellow creatives.
- Clark's artistic inclinations extend beyond writing, as she has dabbled in radio, furniture upholstery, and sewing, but if given a chance to start over, she would have pursued a career in professional photography or painting.
- Young readers might find encapsulated within these upcoming picture books, "You've Got Yoghurt in Your Nostrils" and "Little Love List," a genuine portrayal of childhood experiences, filled with laughter, love, and unforgettable moments.
