This was my university 4th year project and my first attempt at creating a full book from start to finished. Based on Horrible Histories and created with the help of local Kiwi historians, the book looks at 3 figures who have incredible stories to share. I used a graphic novel format with small flaps for readers to interact and engage with.

I loved history as a kid and feel there are many creative ways to showcase it for a young audience. Illustration, humour and interactivity! The book is a prototype with a small introduction and a possible 'Issue 2' to hint at a series. 

Ah Lum/Lau Lei - a Chinese miner who owned a local goods shop in Arrowtown. He experienced some of the harshest work in the South Island/Te Waipounamu mines and was the heart of his community.

Suzanne Aubert/Meri Hōhepa - coming over to Aotearoa on a mission (literally) she embraced Māori medicine and language, creating the Sisters of Compassion which still works to help those in need to this day.

Georgina Beyer - I was fortunate enough to talk to Georgina about her life, from realising early in her youth that she was a trans woman to having a hand to pushing through some influential bills in Parliament!

One struggle I had was how young the potential audience could be. Each of these figures have had tremendous struggles and depending on the age of readers, some information would need to be censored - a debate I had with myself all the way to the end 'how honest should I be?' if I were to continue this project I would do some more thorough research into education.

Here are some little bookmarks with blurbs and word meanings in the event that a book like this would be for younger readers.