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Children's Laureate: Author's Shocking First Tattoo Revealed
14 Feb
Summary
- Author named Australia's Children's Laureate for 2026/2027.
- Early fascination with 'Struwwelpeter' shaped his dark humor style.
- First tattoo is a Dr. Seuss fish, symbolizing pure pleasure.
Australia's Children's Laureate for 2026/2027, known for his beloved books, has shared insights into his creative process and personal inspirations.
His literary journey began with 'Struwwelpeter,' a German classic that, despite its terrifying cautionary tales for children, sparked his lifelong comfort with combining horror and humor.
This blend of dark themes and levity is a hallmark of his work, allowing him to explore challenging topics safely. His writing consistently features unreliable first-person narrators, echoing the complexity he found in 'The Catcher in the Rye.'
A significant personal reminder of his dedication to writing is his first tattoo: a fish from Dr. Seuss's 'One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.' This was inked around age 30, coinciding with a period of intense self-study to find his unique authorial voice.
The author also reminisced about a fan's thoughtful, humorous award and his secret talent for collecting odd, disturbing objects, some of which find their way into his fiction.
