Storyteller, illustrator and wildlife carer, Ingrid Kangas from Snuggle Pouch Studios is launching her new book, Two Peas in a Pouch, this Sunday at the Vincentia Connect community fair day at the Burton Street shopping village.
Based on the real-life story of two orphaned joeys, Bluebelle and Sagey, this is not your “average” kids’ book. Ingrid has created a 120-page experience, filled with stories, photographs, illustrations, engaging typography, a tiny treasure hunt, and accompanying online materials including video of the joeys and even a song!
Ingrid says the first part of this two-part book is all about the joeys coming into care. “They are learning to snuggle again and feel safe, because when they first come in they are incredibly scared to be near humans,” she says.
“It’s all about them learning to adjust. Warm milk bottles are such a fun time for them, they start to get excited. It’s about them first finding their feet and being all wobbly and bobbly, learning to bounce and getting their confidence. It’s endearing.”
Ingrid trained in wildlife care with local group, Wildlife Rescue South Coast, before taking on two orphaned joeys, who spent almost 10 months with her before being reintroduced to the bush – which will be coming up next year in book two, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Bluebelle and Sagey naturally became the central characters of this story for Ingrid, who says they have such unique personalities, just like people.
“The story is told through the eyes of the joeys, so it’s about sharing with kids how these kangaroos, like all animals, have their own personality and uniqueness. Embracing and understanding that is so important because then we live a life that’s true to ourselves,” says Ingrid.
“My hope is this story shows kids and all people how amazing our native kangaroos are. They deserve to be free and protected and roaming this beautiful southern land safe. That’s the message behind the story, helping people grow in the love and bouncy journey of Bluebelle and Sagey, and have a giggle.”
The second part of this book is about The Roo Resort. Ingrid and a group of friends built a special roo cottage here on the South Coast out of recycled materials, a special shelter for the joeys as part of their growing up and learning to be kangaroos.
Ingrid’s background in nursing and raising a family uniquely equipped her for this adventure with the wildlife, but it’s her lifelong passion for storytelling and art that transformed the experience into a book we can all enjoy.
Growing up in Vincentia, Ingrid pursued a career in nursing but always harboured a desire to follow her passions, which she has now done with much joy.
She has established Snuggle Pouch Studios, which will be her hub for producing many more storybooks and art, among other things.
Including music!
Hip Hop Hooray!
A special song is another creative component of this story, recorded with local musician Brad Williams at River Recordings studio in Nowra and a small bunch of kids from the local area.
Ingrid says the inspiration for the song came from a little boy in her family, who is going through treatment and listens to a special song that helps him to feel really happy.
“I thought, I need a song that goes with this book, to get kids excited! So I pulled some things from the book and I started a tune and from that, this beautiful song has come out with the message of kangaroos roaming the southern land free.”
Ingrid, encouraged by Brad, is the keyboard and vocals on the recording, Brad plays guitar and banjo, and the clear happy voices of the kids complete the joyous sounds of the song – which can be played on Ingrid’s Snuggle Pouch Studios website.
Her dream is to take the song and book into schools for some real-time storytelling and singing. “Face to face is something I really believe in, because there’s so much on technology now, and even though that’s a wonderful tool to connect us, I feel in my heart there’s something very authentic about engaging with kids and people in the community.”
Book Launch!
Be one of the first people to buy a book ($35), listen to the song and meet the author at the Vincentia Connect community fair day this Sunday 24 November at the Burton Street shopping village. Ingrid will be located near Bunya Wholefoods, with a whole lot of books and artworks, eager to meet you and share her story.
If you can’t make it, you can pre-order a book online.
