Ella and the Useless Day

A heartwarming picture book about community, sustainability and how one neighbour’s rubbish is another’s treasure.

Ella’s house is full of things… useless things! At least that’s what she and Dad think. But when they decide to have a clean-up day, something very curious happens. Maybe what is useless to them is treasure to someone else?

“The whimsical yellows, pinks and purples of Blair's watercolour illustrations contribute a loving homeliness that beautifully culminates in a delightful patchwork project. This might just be my favourite picture book of the year so far!”

Turning trash into treasure and cleaning into fun! The joys of sorting through useless household hoarding combined with the value of re-using, recycling and upcycling make this picture book a treasure-on an individual, local and global scale. Award-winning author Meg McKinlay highlights the importance of sustainability and the awareness of our 'throw-away' culture through her timely book for young readers, Ella and the Useless Day. McKinlay delights through playful dialogue between Ella and her dad, mixed with engaging alliteration, textual design and repetition, while Karen Blair's watercolour and pencil illustrations mesmerise with their personable pastel hues and exuberant whimsy in her depictions of the characters and lively streetscapes. The narrative pulls the reader into a journey of winding streets, greeting fascinated neighbours, and to the rubbish dump on Ella's clean-up-of-useless-stuff day. After happily sharing their broken, holey, rusted and fashion-disaster items with the community, Ella and her dad discover their trailer is almost empty-with one special piece of 'trash' they turn into a treasure of their own. Family dynamics, diversity, activity and a sense of unity all come together in this heartwarming, energetic and topical story of sharing and environmental preservation, encouraging discussion and empowerment among children from age three and beyond. Romi Sharp is a picture book writer and digital marketer for children's authors and publishers.

Meg McKinlay

Meg McKinlay is the author of eighteen books ranging from picture books and young adult fiction through to poetry for adults. Raised in central Victoria, in a TV- and car-free household, Meg was a bookish kid, in love with words and excited by dictionaries. On the long and winding path to becoming a children’s writer, she has worked a variety of jobs including swim instructor, tour guide, translator and teacher. Meg is now a full-time writer and lives near the ocean in Fremantle, Western Australia, where she is always busy cooking up more books.

Karen Blair

Karen Blair grew up in Perth, Western Australia. She made her first picture book when she was nine for a Year 5 project, and by the time she was in her 20s and living in the UK, she knew it was her dream to continue. She now lives in Fremantle with her husband and two cats and works part-time as a primary art teacher. Her latest book with Walker Books Australia is Baby Beats (2014). Find Karen online at www.karenblair.com.au

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