Hope Is The Thing

WINNER: 2024 CBCA Book of the Year, Award for New Illustrator
WINNER: 2024 Environment Award for Children’s Literature – Picture Fiction

A 2023 Listener NZ Top Children’s Book

Hope is a kookaburra singing the sun
Hope is the emu learning to run …

Let your imagination soar in this joyful ode to the world of birds and the healing power of nature.

Sparked by the Emily Dickinson poem ‘Hope is the thing with feathers’, this lyrical text accompanied by glorious mixed media collages reflects and celebrates the diversity, ingenuity and wonder of birds.

Praise for Hope is the Thing

‘The uplifting words, efficiently conveying the birds’ various behaviours and habitats, are melodious and dynamic, and work as the best picture books do: creating an entertaining, immersive experience while gently nudging at something larger. A gorgeous book.’ Australian Birdlife

‘This is a beautiful poem about hope and features some of Australia’s most beautiful and well-known birds. I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is that keeps drawing me back to this stunning creation, but I absolutely love it.’ Narissa Leung, ozlitteacher

‘It is a beautiful book and one that is to be treasured and loved – and I think it is one that we can all get something out of. It is filled with joy and creativity, exploring different ways of bringing hope to life for readers and what the world and nature can help us do.’ The Book Muse

‘The illustrations are marvellously executed, drawing the eyes to the multitude of media used in the collages … [a] positively glowing book.’ Fran Knight, ReadPlus

‘A celebration of hope and renewal … Each spread immerses the reader in a bird’s journey-from soaring over sunlit beaches to nestling in grassy plains or scavenging in city bins-making every page an artwork in its own right. Together, they form a unified sequence that gives the poetic narrative wings, elevating the text to new heights.’ CBCA Judges’ report

Author Biography

Johanna lives in Garramilla / Darwin where she writes fiction and runs a community arts business called StoryProjects. In 2019, she and Erica Wagner co-facilitated a six-month story camp where their mutual love of birds led them towards Hope is the Thing. Johanna is also co-author of Too Many Cheeky Dogs, Go Home Cheeky Animals! and Cheeky Dogs: To Lake Nash and Back, illustrated by Dion Beasley, and The Colour Catchers, illustrated by Laura Stitzel. She is currently working on a verse novel for adults which is also inspired by birds.

Erica Wagner is an artist, publisher and creative consultant to storytellers. Her collages are inspired by the natural world and are made by layering and repurposing discarded paintings and sketches. While Erica has worked as an editor and award-winning publisher of children’s books for many years, Hope is the Thing is the first picture book she has illustrated.