Ms. Joycelin Kauc Leahy is the author and illustrator of “The Lazy Little Frog” and "Liklik Hambak Rokrok" storybooks, available in Tok Pisin and English. Ms. Leahy lives in Brisbane, Australia. She was originally from Lae, Morobe Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Her aim is to have this story book accessible to many children in Papua New Guinea. Read below from Ms. Leahy talking about her book, its launching and future project for Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea Artist and Author, Joycelin Leahy Annoucing the Arrival and Launching of Her New Story Book for PNG Children- 'Liklik Hambak Rokrok' and 'The Lazy Little Frog'.
By Joycelin Kauc Leahy
My books arrived this week. It was exhilarating to hold a hardcover in my hands.
The first edition limited sign hardcovers of the two storybooks will go on sale on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter in the coming days. I will post details here. I have the English and Tok Pisin versions of the Lazy Little Frog and the Motu version is in process. My aim was to have this story accessible to many children in PNG.
I will be launching my books with other book merhandise to raise funds to print and distribute. The Kickstarter launch will also help me start another educational project for Papua New Guinea (PNG).
The Lazy Little Frog story is about friendship and the first children that read the story were Australian children. The content, words and scenes were created from my memories of (home - my PNG haus kuk in Wagang Village).
These imagery and references made no difference to the Australian readers, and those who had never been to PNG. I wrote this story by drawing from the research for my thesis, my arts background, cultural upbringing and strong beliefs about conservation and creating peace in our places.
You can read what other people have said about the book on www.lazylittlefrog.com
I will update you soon on when our Kickstarter page is live. Please like and share my post if you would like to support our campaign.
About Joycelin Leahy, Author of The Lazy Little Frog and Liklik Hambak Rokrok story books: Extract from its official website,
About Me
Hello, I’m Joycelin Kauc Leahy. I’m the author and illustrator of “The Lazy Little Frog” storybook. I live in Brisbane, Australia. I was originally from Lae, Morobe Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). I also wrote this story in PNG Tok Pisin, “Liklik Hambak Rokrok”.
The story developed over five years from a dialogue between a little green frog and an old rooster. It is a story about friendship. Before Loki, the lazy little frog earns the trust and respect of the others living in the hauskuk, he must learn some tough life lessons. If you like the sound of this story, register for book launch updates and please share the news with others.
My wish is that The Lazy Little Frog story helps young minds in Papua New Guinea and other parts of the world understand the need to accept our unique human differences, use open and honest communication to ensure peace and harmony. And above all, respect one another, other living things, and our planet.
Pictures by Joycelin Leahy, Papua New Guinea Artist and Author.
