The Tashi books are written by Anna Fienberg and her mother, Barbara Fienberg. They are illustrated by Kim Gamble and his daughters Arielle Gamble and Greer Gamble.
Listen to Anna Fienberg read a section from Tashi and the Golem as Kim Gamble draws a scene from the book.
Watch Kim Gamble talk about how he creates a scene for Tashi and the Golem.
About Anna
Anna is a talented storyteller who loves to write stories about fantastic and magical things. She grew up in a house filled with books. Barbara was a teacher librarian who relished stories as much as chocolates. 'On Sunday mornings we'd all lie in bed with our books, lost in magical wardrobes, witches’ spells, genies’ magic … What we were going to read next was just as important in our family as what was for lunch!' says Anna.
Anna explains that 'Tashi began as a conversation with my mother. She was telling me how, when she was a child, she used to tell whoppers. Creative fibs. Tall stories. And the kids would crowd around, dying to hear the latest tale. We began talking about a character like her - a character who told fantastic stories - and over many cups of tea we cooked up Tashi.'
These days, Anna thinks of Tashi as a bit like a family member. She says 'How many times a day do we talk about him, wonder what on earth will happen to him next? "What would Tashi do?" we ask each other desperately in a crisis. You could try this too, if you like, because it's actually quite a handy way to solve problems.'
About Kim
Kim is one of Australia's leading illustrators for children. He was born in Sydney and worked in a variety of occupations before beginning to illustrate stories for children. His first assignment was for the School Magazine. It was there he met Anna Fienberg.
In the first book about Tashi, Kim drew an angry War Lord who was after Tashi, and also a lonely dragon. Since then Kim has created many fabulous creatures and characters for the Tashi series: giants, bandits, the Wicked Baron, ghosts, white tigers, the Genie, Baba Yaga, demons, Wise-as-an-Owl, river pirates, Luk Ahed, Uncle Tiki Pu, brigands, robbers, Blackheart, Bluebeard, the Mixed-up Monster, the Phoenix, and the Golem.
Anna and Kim have worked together for many years, not only on Tashi but also on the Minton series, and picture books: Joseph, There Once Was a Boy Called Tashi and The Amazing Tashi Activity Book.
About Arielle and Greer Gamble
Arielle and Greer Gamble have loved drawing ever since they were kids, when their dad showed them how to make characters and whole new worlds come to life on paper. Arielle lives on the South Coast of NSW and works in climate advocacy, and Greer lives in Sydney and works as a writer and editor.
