Vote 4 Me, written by Krys Saclier and illustrated by political cartoonist, Cathy Wilcox, is not only a great story, but a fun introduction to preferential voting.
Vote 4 Me follows Mount Mayhem students as they elect leaders to improve the school’s hideous uniforms, awful tuckshop food and empty sport’s cupboard. Readers will not only love the characters, but will learn about Australia’s complex preferential voting system. In fact, Vote 4 Me explains it so well, your kids will understand preferential voting better than you do.
Author Krys Saclier is an electoral educator, podcaster and of course, writer. She lives in Canberra with her family and is currently working on her next book.
We threw random questions at Krys Saclier, so you could get to know her a little better.
WDB: If you could only take one book to a deserted island, what would it be?
Krys: One of the Harry Potter books. Probably the Half Blood Prince. I absolutely love JK Rowling.
Do you prefer Facebook, Instagram or Twitter?
Facebook. I also have a podcast of children’s stories called the Kids Only podcast, if that counts.
Do you prefer to read a book or a device?
I love books. Libraries and bookshops are my favourite places. I love the smell and feel of a new book.
What is your favourite place to read, relax and ponder?
Our deck is surrounded by beautiful trees that are visited by all sorts of birds, like parrots and currawongs. I love sitting out there, saying hello to the birds like a crazy bird lady.
Name five people (dead or alive) you’d like to share a meal with.
My husband because he’s a great cook and he’s invited to all my dinners, Neil Gaiman because he’s a brilliant story teller, JK Rowling because I have questions (who was Professor Lockhart based on?), Arthur Conan Doyle because I’d love to know how he invented such a brilliant character, and Audrey Hepburn because she’s my hero.
Are you a night owl or early bird?
Early bird.
What is your favourite ice-cream flavour?
Hokey Pokey because it’s fun to say and fun to eat.
What is your favourite animal/sea creature/bird?
I love animals so it’s hard to choose one. Cats, lizards, elephants, rhinos, octopi, magpies, dragonflies, and of course, dogs.
Would you prefer to take a rollercoaster or a ghost train ride?
Ghost train. I prefer to be spooked rather than scared.
Do you have any quirks or superstitions when you create?
I must have 10 ball point pens in a blue cup at the top right corer of my desk, and a black cat with an open umbrella watching me. Just kidding. If I waited for perfect conditions to write, I’d never do anything. Having said that, I do buy lots of pens, because I seem to lose them and I always want something to write with close at hand.
Do you handwrite/draw or use a computer/device?
Both. I prefer handwriting and use that when I’m brainstorming. The computer is good for things that need to be done quickly but don’t require too much imagination.
What is your favourite tip for young creators?
Explore the things you like. Enjoy playing with words, art, movement or whatever it is that makes you creative, in the way that you want. See what you come up with. See where it will take you. Don’t feel like you need to show it to anyone yet. Do it because you can.
What is one thing not many people know about you?
I was Miss ACT 1999.
Wow – Miss ACT, Krys. We’re looking forward to pictures!
Krys, thanks so much for having a little fun with us and especially for the fabulous picture book, VOTE 4 ME.