Andrew Kocsis

Daisy Sunflower and the Aqua-Dragon-Growl-a-Creature

A storybook to encourage questioning and to develop an excitement to explore

The origins of Daisy Sunflower date back to 2007. I produced this character for a play that I had written. The character of Daisy was the star of a play, and focused on a single day in her life. Daisy’s journey is that of fear, based on the stories that adults tell her… in the same way that the media creates fear of the world that surrounds us. I wanted to write a story for my daughter that taught her to ask questions and look for answers empirically… not just to solely accept the information that is given to her.

The play, Daisy Sunflower and The Creature was performed in 2007 as part of a very short two-day run. It focused on Daisy and her friend Cirrus the kangaroo. Set in the Australian outback, Daisy set off to find out about the mysterious ‘creature’. While continuously hearing stories about ‘the creature’, Daisy recognises that the facts are not consistent. After a long journey, and great fortitude, Daisy finally meets ‘the creature’… and to her great surprise, it’s not at all what she expected. As a result of the play, I’ve always wanted to develop this project into a storybook.

At this moment in time, I have completed a second draft of the story, with a third on the way soon. I have also created a 'rough' storyboard of every still from the story.  These images are perfectly linked to the current draft, as well as the intended final 'look'. Although they are my personal (very) 'rough' images, I know how to convey my point-of-view and vision to an illustrator.

In 2007, I hired a cartoonist to design a still of every character in the story. These images were created for the production posters, yet they provide an example of the exact look that each character will eventually have. Together with an illustrator, I can assure that the images will reflect the intended style required. The cost of the cartoonist would be A$1,500.

The cost of publication is the other important cost that needs to be covered. I have arranged an initial publishing cost and print run, that will cost A$3,000. While this is an initial concept in outlay, my hope is to get further confirmation after the illustrations are complete.

My personal track record, and focus on such projects,  is strong. I have completed three degrees, and I'm in the process of completing a PhD. In the last 18 months, I've produced two plays <http://www.revellers.com.au/Revellers.aspx>, written two Educational Packages for a professional company <http://shakespearewa.com/education/>, and written a brand new Children's Theatre play for young audiences <http://www.murdochtie.com/> . 

Daisy Sunflower and the Aqua-Dragon-Growl-a-Creature is an exciting project that never had the funds to be completed. Besides the text requiring completion, the cost of illustration and publishing have been too difficult to raise. This project requires funding to be able to finish a five year dream, to finally publish this fun and engaging story.