Interview: Melinda Szymanik

Little Thoughts Press Issue Twelve: Better Together with a sneak peek of the poem "Not One More Acre" by Melinda Szymanik

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Melinda Szymanik writes all sorts of things for children and most of them are poems and picture books. Her picture books are usually published in Aotearoa New Zealand where she lives, but a couple have appeared in the USA, including My Elephant is Blue (Flyaway Books, 2023). Her poems have been published in anthologies, and by The Toy, Paddler Press, The Dirigible Balloon and the Australian School Magazine. Her poem “Night Craft” was highly commended for the 2025 Caterpillar Prize.

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Little Thoughts Press: Your poem "Not One More Acre" is based on a real-life march organized by Māori activist Dame Whina Cooper. Rather than focused specifically on Dame Whina Cooper or the historical details and catalyst for this march, the speaker of this poem is a child who has joined in the protest. Can you talk about your choice to write this poem from a first-person perspective centered within the action of the march? What message do you hope young readers will take from this poem?

Melinda Szymanik: There is a famous photo from this march which shows Dame Whina Cooper holding the hand of a child at the end of a long dusty road. This was my ‘springing off’ point for writing the poem. What were they talking about? What did the child think was going on and how might the Kuia explain it? This was an appealing way into the subject of protest action which would make it accessible to the target audience. 

Little Thoughts Press: Can you give us some background to your connection to the Māori Land March? What is the significance of this event in your community? How did you come to learn about it and how have the impacts of this march and Dame Whina Cooper's work continued in Aotearoa New Zealand today? 

Melinda Szymanik: I was a teenager when the march happened and in all honesty, I didn’t fully understand the gravity of what was happening. We didn’t really discuss it at school. We didn’t really discuss it much at home although it was on the TV news and in the papers. I do think it began something amongst many Māori adults, though. And since then I’ve learned more about Dame Whina Cooper and about the march and the issues close to the hearts of Māori in this country. And as a country we have been making progress over the years toward a more respectful and inclusive society. Unfortunately the last few years have seen an erosion of that progress. It seemed timely to revisit the 1977 march and remind myself and others about its central purpose and power to share an idea amongst multitudes. 

Little Thoughts Press: Our Better Together issue is all about community and people working together to make the world a better place. What are some actions, big or small, that you take to help make the world better? Are there any organizations that are doing good, important work that you want to shout out?

Melinda Szymanik:I have never made submissions on bills before parliament before, but over the last few years I have submitted five times. One of these bills sought to undermine our founding Treaty—Te Tiriti O Waitangi—and weaken the rights of our Tangata Whenua (our indigenous people) and I wanted to oppose this and support Māori and the Treaty. In addition to submitting on bills I also participate in protests for issues I believe in. And of course voting for central and local government representation is hugely important. 

I’m a fan of ‘A Mighty Girl’ which has been celebrating women and their stories of courage and strength and excellence for decades. A group doing this seems more important than ever these days.

Little Thoughts Press: How did you get started writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for kids?

Melinda Szymanik: I started out with a passion for reading which quickly developed into a secret desire to be a writer. But being born in the antipodes and believing all the writers I loved best came from centuries-old literary cultures in Europe and the Americas, I was sure I could never be a writer. It wasn’t until I was a grown up with children of my own that I felt brave enough to try. And despite loving both adult and children’s books it was children’s literature—writing that feels the most exciting and dynamic and adventurous to me—that stole my heart. I’ve been writing for around thirty years and the biggest challenge is how to avoid falling down a dark hole of obscurity and indifference—across society reading for pleasure has become a ‘nice to have’ rather than the necessity it should be and getting books into the hands of readers can be incredibly difficult. The most rewarding thing is when a child reader is changed or excited or empowered by a story I have written. 

Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up?

Melinda Szymanik: Margaret Mahy, Maurice Sendak, Joan Aiken, Susan Cooper, Alan Garner, LM Montgomery, CS Lewis, Laura Ingalls Wilder, JRR Tolkien, Michael Bond, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, A.A.Milne, Hergé, Goscinny and Uderzo, and many, many, many more.

Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out?

Melinda Szymanik: Jonathan Stroud, Maggie Stiefvater, Frances Hardinge, Phillip Pullman, Oliver Jeffers, Jon Klassen, Elizabeth Acevedo, Kate Wakeling and many, many, many more.

Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers?

Melinda Szymanik: Read! All the things you love to read are teaching you good spelling and grammar and how good stories and poems are put together while you are busy enjoying yourself. And reading grows your imagination and can make you think in new and exciting ways. And then write as much as you can, because the more you write the better you get. 

Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share?

Melinda Szymanik: My favourite numbers are 3 and 7, my favourite colour is black, and my favourite food is cheese. 

I have a new picture book coming out in October with a New Zealand publisher, called Runaway Rooster. And I’m working on a middle grade novel, and trying to write more children’s poetry so I have enough for a collection.