By Kevin McQuillan
A green tree frog was living in our downpipe at home, croaking, while our rooster was crowing and it brought back childhood memories, says Joycelin Kauc Leahy, author of The Lazy Little Frog a new children’s book published in March in Papua New Guinea’s three official languages, English, Tok Pisin and Motu.
The Lazy Little Frog plot unfolds through the eyes of its main character, Loki Enough, a little green tree frog. It takes place after an environmental disaster that forces Loki and other wild animals into a village shelter, a haus kuk or kitchen, with some domesticated animals. The animals settle into their new home, and all must work for food.
Loki thinks hard work is for losers and refuses to contribute. Instead he performs like the legendary Elvis and spends his day hanging in his leaf hammock. One day he insults the oldest and most respected member of the haus kuk, a rooster, Kande Kaks. This incident almost costs Loki his life.
Kande Kaks takes the self-absorbed Loki under his wing and teaches Loki about kindness, love and the benefits of hard work. Soon, a special friendship begins, and harmony returns to the haus kuk.
“It was a familiar duo for me,” she tells Islands Business, “and I created a dialogue imagining if these two creatures were humans and they conversed, what could they be talking about? Weather? Food? Their problems? Their love life?”
Leahy has spent most of the last two of lockdown, unemployed after her art sales stopped. But she is not new to successful writing.
In 2015, she won the PNG National Literature Award for best children’s story. She sent The Song of the Turtle to the Education Department, suggesting it be included in the curriculum. But she received no response.
‘The Lazy Little Frog’ has just been self-published, despite Leahy having had bad experiences with development editors – one of whom she had helped when she was publishing her own children’s book.
“So I spent the COVID years learning about self-publishing and digital marketing.
“It is an extremely fulfilling experience and a lot of learning. I described it as giving birth to a child. In this case I gave birth to twins. It is a delicate process from the beginning to the ending.”
With the book comes Teacher’s Notes, donated by a teacher-friend to provoke discussions on conservation, science, animal habits and social studies.
This is a universal story about love and friendship. For school readers, it is recommended for children aged 4-12. Special first edition limited hardcovers will be launched and sold on Kickstarter with other book merchandise this month.
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