Flappy and Splashy.

Status: in search of a publisher

Synopsis.

Illustrated by the super talented Sally Dee, Flappy and Splashy is a story borne out of the experience of sitting in a classroom full of people up to 10 years my junior, trying to learn the French language. In the uncomfortable, sometimes comical situation of being their junior in terms of my French language ability and progress, Flappy and Splashy showed themselves in a project designed to improve our French writing skills. I felt like a fish out of water, or if you like a bird in water in my French classes, and these sentiments reflected in the story.

Flappy, is a fish with bird wings, able to fly through the air as well as swim through the ocean! It’s a fantastic ability for a fish! But, he is ridiculed by all the other fish because he is different.

“This is Flappy.

Flappy is a fish. But Flappy isn’t just any fish.

He’s a fish with wings! Having wings means he can fly high through the air, as high as the clouds.

But having wings also slows him down when he swims.

The other fish laugh at him.”

Splashy, is a bird with a fish tail who can swim through the ocean! That too is a fantastic trait, but she also suffers from being different. She is always slowing her flock down on account of her tail.

“This is Splashy.

Splashy is a bird. But Splashy isn’t just any bird.

She’s a bird with a fish tail. Having a fish tail means she can swim deep through the ocean.

But having a fish tail also slows her down when she flies.”

Both feel sad due to their differences. They don’t like, nor understand why they are different. It isn’t until one day when they chance upon each other that they begin to understand they are not alone with their differences. Their experiences bring them together, and they become friends. Their differences make them special.

Flappy and Splashy is a story specifically aimed at children of pre-school and early school age.  It is a story about being different, what it means to be different, and perhaps how to cope with it.  The story of Flappy and Splashy shows that no matter how different you feel, or how hard you find it to fit in, you are not alone.

Illustrated by the super talented Sally D (yes I know, already said that, but she is super talented), ‘Flappy and Splashy’ is raring to go.