Q&A with Koalas in Capes author Terrie Chilvers
- Allen & Unwin
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Read a Q&A with Terrie Chilvers, author of the hilarious Koalas in Capes.
If you're on the lookout for your kid’s next favourite illustrated series, look no further than Koalas in Capes: the hilarious new superhero series from author Terrie Chilvers and illustrator David O'Connell. Two hapless koalas, a giant ostrich villain, and an army of Zombie Chickens — what's not to love? We caught up with Terrie to get the lowdown on koalas, the macarena, her Superman inspirations, and more.
Q: Where did the idea for Koalas in Capes come from?
TC: I wanted to write a superhero series with heroes that kids could relate to. Bob and Archie are very much thrown into their new roles and things don’t always go to plan (much like real life!). Bob is often too gung-ho and Archie is scared of trying new things, but it doesn’t stop them from taking on a giant ostrich supervillain together. I’ve always been a champion of the underdog (or underkoala!) and hope that Bob and Archie can inspire kids to embrace their own inner superhero.
Q: Why did you decide to make the main characters koalas?
TC: For me, koalas are the Clark Kent of the animal world. They’re so cute and cuddly that they’re probably the last creature people would expect to be tasked with saving the world...
Q: Did you enjoy superhero stories as a child? What were your favourite books?
TC: I loved watching the re-runs of the sixties Batman TV series, and the Superman films were always top of our family Christmas watch list. When it came to reading, my favourite books ALWAYS featured animals – I loved the Animals of Farthing Wood and anything with dogs! Koalas in Capes has given me the chance to merge my love of animals AND superheroes. There’s a mention of Bob and Archie trying to rescue a young goat from up a tree, which is a nod to Superman’s cat rescue in the first film.
Q: What is your favourite scene in Koalas in Capes?
TC: It would have to be the chapter at the Supervillain’s Ball where Bob and Archie have to go undercover. They get mistaken for duo, Koalas in Carnage and have to try and pull off seeming villainous, which proves difficult! And David the illustrator has done an amazing job of bringing to life all of the supervillain guests – there’s so much detail in the double page spread of the ballroom, and if you look really closely, you’ll even find a supervillain goldfish!
A special mention also has to go to the scene where Dr. Colossus (the evil supervillain ostrich) is zapped with the Boogie Blaster and gets the uncontrollable urge to do the Macarena. Because who doesn’t love a giant ostrich goofily dancing on the rooftop of a supervillain mansion?
Q: If you could be any animal, what would it be? Would you have superpowers?
TC: I’d probably be a superhero koala with the power of invisibility like Archie. I’d definitely prefer to be saving the day quietly, rather than facing supervillain ostriches head on!
Q: Do you love hot chocolate as much as Bob and Archie do?
TC: Completely! A lot of my writing is fuelled by hot chocolate, and I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to feature a hot chocolate café in my books. Pawtonia felt like the perfect location for one.
Kolas in Capes
by Terrie Chilvers, illustrated by David O'Connell
Hilarious chapter books about animals with jobs, clothes and superpowers! Highly illustrated in black and white.
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