We caught up with a member of GIS staff Alumni, Rhian Williams (nee Adlam), who made the most of the Melbourne lockdown of 2020 by using the time to write her first children’s book.
Rhian worked in an admin role at GIS from 2010 to 2012. She was the Community Service and Staff Development Officer, responsible for planning Discovery Week and many other volunteer opportunities across the school. In addition, she supported staff development days, as well as working closely with members of the PTF.
Now, with two more stories on the horizon, she tells us more about her first book, ‘Ernie’s Big Red Nose,’ which has received great reviews from across the world. A fun rhyming book, it features a giant, Ernie, who catches the red nose flu. Fitting for current times, Ernie works with the local villagers, who have also become sick, to overcome this snotty epidemic.
Rhian, please tell us more about your journey post-GIS.
After leaving Malaysia and moving to Melbourne, I started working for Monash University, working with graduate students. I also managed to complete my yoga teacher training in India and on my fourth visit, I met the man who became my husband. We now have a son called Cai.
Can you tell us more about your passion for writing?
My four-year-old’s love for books and my passion for yoga inspired me to start writing children’s books.
Where did you find the idea to come up with this book and title?
Ernie was essentially not my idea. Actually, Ernie was a story that my mum had created from her days as a primary school teacher and headmistress. My Dad and I developed the rhymes and story to fit the pandemic, and we were glad we could share this more widely in 2020.
What is the message that you hope to convey through your writing?
The idea of ‘Ernie’s Big Red Nose’ was to help children to understand the current pandemic, through in a comedic and lighthearted way.
Tell us more about your other books.
The next book, which will hopefully be released soon, will be called ‘The Young Yogi,’ and is about a young boy called ‘Cai’ who discovers yoga. This is also a fun rhyming book where kids can learn and practice yoga with Cai.
The rhymes are also complete for Ernie’s second installment, ‘Ernie Goes Green,’ which tells a story of how Ernie becomes more environmentally friendly. We are hoping to create a series of each character over the coming years.
What do you remember of your time at GIS?
I really enjoyed my time in Malaysia and GIS. It’s a beautiful country and a wonderful school with some truly talented and inspirational students. I am still in touch with many of the teachers and old students. Following their path after GIS really makes me feel warm and fuzzy!
Any advice for the GIS Alumni Community?
I never saw myself as a person who was creative or someone who could write children’s books, but as Henry Ford once said, “whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right!” So, start believing you can do it and anything is possible!
Rhian’s pen name is Mary Jess so do check out her FB/Instagram Pages: Mary Jess Childrens Books.
A huge ‘Thank You’ to GIS Staff Alumni Rhian for sharing the details of her books with us. It has been great to reconnect with you, and we wish you all the best in your upcoming publications.
If you would like to feature in our Alumni articles, just get in touch with us: alumni@gardenschool.edu.my. Because every story matters.
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