Simone Field is not just a primary school teacher; she’s also an author with a deep passion for words and stories. Faith, family, and friends are central to her life. This Saturday, she will debut her first children’s book, Isabel and the Lunchbox Bully. She joined Bec and Norm to share some insights into her book, her inspiration, and what she hopes young readers will take away from the story.
A Story Rooted in Real-Life Challenges
Isabel and the Lunchbox Bully is geared toward children aged six to ten. The book follows a young girl named Isabel as she navigates common challenges kids face today—change, difficult people, and the importance of faith. Simone explained, “It’s about dealing with difficult people and how to overcome that, but with faith as the core.”
As a teacher for over 20 years, Simone has observed these challenges in her students daily. Her desire to address these real-life issues in a children’s book came from seeing a gap in the market. “There are so many fabulous adventure and action books, but I saw a lack of books that meet kids where they are with real-life problems,” she said.
The key takeaway from her is that problems are a normal part of life. “At school, it’s never going to be smooth sailing. There’s always going to be someone who makes you feel uncomfortable or who annoys you. But with the support of family and good friends, you can actually work out solutions to these things,” Simone said.
The Inspiration Behind the Characters
While the characters in Isabel and the Lunchbox Bully are not based on specific individuals, they reflect traits Simone has seen in children over the years. “I’ve read a lot over the years, and I think I’ve just taken character traits that I see in children all the time and turned them into my little book characters,” she shared.
Simone also noted the importance of using language that is accessible to her young readers. “I love words, and I love to use big words, so just making sure that my language is reader-appropriate was a challenge,” she admitted.
A Multicultural Cast
One of the standout features of Isabelle and the Lunchbox Bully is its diverse cast of characters. Isabel’s friend group includes children from different backgrounds—Indonesia, Australia, and Polynesia—reflecting the multicultural environment Simone observes in schools. She emphasised the importance of representation in children’s literature: “We have this beautiful multiculturalism, and that needs to be represented in the books kids are reading.”
What’s Next for Simone Field?
As excited as she is about her book launch, Simone is already working on her next project. She revealed, “I’m about a quarter of the way through the second book, which will focus on one of the other girls in Isabel’s friendship group.” This new book will be part of a series, allowing Simone to continue exploring the dynamics of childhood friendships and challenges.
Isabel and the Lunchbox Bully is set to be released at Simone’s book launch this Saturday, offering young readers a story filled with heart, hope, and valuable life lessons.