Meet Cori
I have been writing or imagining children's stories for as long as I can remember. My very first picture book had an incredibly imaginative title, The Dream, which largely reflected the incredibly imaginative (read: not very imaginative) plot. A one-child book-making machine, I wrote, illustrated and published it all by myself in 1992 at the age of 12. I still have this book and I share it at school visits.
Cori Brooke
Author
I have been crafting stories in my mind for as long as I can remember. For example, when I was 12, I wrote and illustrated a book called ‘The Dream’. I still share this book at school visits. For kids, it is a cool artefact because the entire book is handwritten (not printed on a computer!) and it shows them what a 12 year old can do. But for me, it really demonstrates that dreams can come true (pun not intended) because twelve year old Canadian me would never have believed that one day I would be a published author (in Australia no less).
I wear a lot of hats (and if you have seen my school visits, you’ll know I mean this metaphorically and physically). I am a Mom and I work full time for the Federal Government. I have qualifications in law and media and communications. I am also an admitted lawyer. I have worked across a wide range of disciplines in my 15 plus years as a public servant. I’m an introvert/extrovert; I don’t mind public speaking, but I also quite like my alone time. My publishing journey started in 2012. Ten years and seven books later, I still pinch myself and am grateful for every book published. My eighth book is scheduled to be published by FiveMile in May 2023. My favourite place to write books is at the Fingal Head Caravan Park, which is my family’s regular spot. A few random things about me: I am left handed, I’m an only child, I can play the guitar (left handed), my favourite band is the Beastie Boys, I LOVE music videos and I don’t have a green thumb but I can grow orchids.
I was born in Vancouver, Canada in the late 1970s to wonderfully eccentric hippy parents. I now live in Brisbane with my son and husband, our two dogs and one cat.
Read To Kids
One of the most important activities parents and carers can do with kids is reading. And it is pretty simple really; find a good quality picture book, settle into a comfy place and start reading. Reading to kids also calms them down and is a lovely, quiet activity. Reading a book can, of course, also be an exciting adventure; use different voices for different characters or discuss the sorts of sounds the animals might make.
And, best of all, you can do it for free with a library card.
It doesn't take a scientist or a professional to see that by simply reading to young kids (from birth) you can enhance their literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, analytical and creative skills. But it doesn't cost a lot to buy good quality books and, in my experience, books become treasured memories from childhood that people hang on to.
And who doesn't love picture books? There is a kid in every adult, I am sure, that loves the joy and creative expression of a good picture book.
So, go on, turn the computer off, and read a book to a child.
Released May 2022
The Best You Can Be
This book encourages children to celebrate their natural abilities and talents, and to persist with the things they find more difficult. To not give up builds resilience. To try is to improve.
This book is now available at all good books stores – if you can’t find it, reach out to me and I’ll try to help.
