Isabelle May by Brett Stewart

Our Mission

Our Mission is to publish Brett Stewart's fun-loving and entertaining book Isabelle May. The story invites early readers to improve their reading skills through rhyme and to dramatise their learning. We are making it available to parents and children everywhere.

Isabelle is on top of her game! 

She will be visiting you in your home shortly. We will keep you posted on the progress of printing and distribution of your book, colouring pages, and audio file. 

We can't thank you enough. 

We are all especially grateful to our supporters. Isabell received 181 pledges from 168 supporters. We will be distributing 458 books! Isn't that fabulous? Just give us time to get it all in motion. 

A super-sized THANK YOU from Brett and Caitlin, our author and illustrator. Don't they make a great team!

A big thank you to all who supported our campaign to get Isabelle May out into the world! Your generosity means so much, we are most excited by how many schools will be receiving a copy and the potential to reach children generations into the future. This has been such a great project to work on and we are so proud of how the campaign has gone. We can’t wait to hold the book in our hands!

This campaign has involved lots of behind-the-scenes work by every member of the Stewart family. Thank you to Keaton for the video and graphics, marketing and methodical leadership; to Sarah for her critical eye on presentation, and suggestion to aim high; to Lindy for her video script and great presentation, and all the childcare while Gerwood worked on marketing, and completes the printing and distribution process; to Manu and Brylan for their public relations and promotion; and to Taphyl for holding the fort while Mum counted each pledge that would send a book into the public domain. 

Stretch Goal $11, 500 — Audio Book of Isabelle May 

If we reach our new stretch goal of $11,500 we can produce an audiobook! We are super excited about this opportunity. Stories are meant to be told and bringing the words to life through a seasoned and engaging performer's voice will further bring the words of this mischievous tale to life. If we reach the goal everyone who is getting a reward will also receive the audiobook. Share the good news and help us get there!

Stretch Goal $7,500 — Colouring-in Pages for everyone

We have set a stretch goal that will allow us to provide a colouring-in PDF file to everyone. These may be used as printable colouring in sheets, scalable story cards or other learning support tools for teachers and parents.  Choose a package from the right-hand column. When we reach $7500. we will add access to 10 of Caitlin's wonderful drawings as simple black and white outlines for you and your children to use.  

Delivery overseas 

We will deliver overseas. Sign up and we will ensure you have your books. Under the Donation Pack Tab, you will find a (deliver in Australia only). This is an error that we have been unable to change. If you wish to donate to a school or library overseas we will send the books. 

About the book

Do you have a favourite children's story? One that you asked to have read to you over and over? One that you would turn pages just to look at the pictures? Did you extend the story and make it very much your own by play-acting with friends?

Children love imaginative and witty tales. Children of all ages explore pages of the stories they love. They are stories that stimulate their imagination. Stories that they can place themselves into, and build their world around. 

Isabelle May is just such a story. This story features a witty hen and a sly fox intent on playing a game with a prize to the winner. Isabelle May is written in rhythmic prose, enticing children to become involved in the storytelling, and dramatise the events. Isabelle May is a tale that inspires children to reflect on the power of language and find ways to outfox one’s opponent. 

“As a parent, it can be inundating to walk into a bookstore and find the perfect story to read with my children. While there are a variety of well-known authors, I also like to support those who are new to the field - and find that little gem that really delights me and my kids.

Isabelle May is just such a gem. Brett Stewart captures the traditional 'trickster' story with the seemingly naive Isabelle May and her encounters with the sly Mr Fox. Bouncing rhymes and simple repetitions invite children to engage in an exuberant pantomime fashion. Illustrations by Caitlin O’Dwyer complement the story, adding fun, suspense and mischief.

I invite you to delight in it with the children in your life.”

Lindy Klein, Mother of 3 

Who will win the battle of words — The Fox or Isabelle May?   Help us provide a tale of inspiration and fun  young readers and their families.

Book specifications

• A 32-page softcover,  perfectly bound for children’s handling
• Colourful and humorous illustrations throughout
• Finished size is 18 x 24 cm Landscape

Help us bring Isabelle May into the world by making a pledge right now! 

About the Author

Brett Stewart was a Primary School Teacher who specialised in teaching reading and drama. During his 40 years in the classroom, he used drama to make reading fun, imaginative, and active. Brett emphasised play, imagination, and repetition to inspire valuable reading habits.

An example of his teaching philosophy is the story creating with his fourth-grade class. Brett turned the classroom into a pirate school creating a world of wonder and excitement. Lessons each day brought new adventures in following rules, pirate culture, ships and nautical adventures, food, and eating habits, reading maps, treasure, pirate talk, and most importantly the pirate’s oath! The motto of the class became

Brett presented the students with a published compilation of their work at the end of the year. They were enthused and involved in their reading activities. One student, previously a non-reader, was seen walking to school reading her book and reliving the classroom adventures.

Brett was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2013 and had to give up classroom teaching. Now he is making the tales he wrote to inspire the children in his classrooms available to everyone.

Behind the story

The story of Isabelle May is inspired by his pet, Kettu, an Australian fox rescued after its mother was killed. Kettu became a loved family member. Brett and Kettu played hide & seek games together. An example—Brett was on his way to school when Kettu ran up behind him and grabbed his car keys when he bent to say goodbye. Running into a nearby water drain she dropped them into the middle, returning to him saying “Now it’s your turn”. Through these interactions, Brett learned how playful and imaginative a fox could be.  By the way, roast chicken was her favourite meal!

About the Illustrator

Caitlin O’Dwyer hails from Victoria. She loved drawing from the moment she could pick up a pencil and always wanted to become an illustrator. As a child, she adored the stories and illustrations of Maurice Sendak, Murray Ball, and Charles M. Schulz. She tirelessly copied artworks from her Dad’s collection of Peanuts and Footrot Flats. She eventually created her own characters and scenarios filling countless sketchbooks. A favourite past-time was doodling in the margins of her school books.

Since completing her Bachelor in Graphic Design in 2014, Caitlin has been carving out a name for herself in children’s literature illustration with a vast portfolio of work. Favouring vibrant colours and expressive characters, Caitlin has always had a particular fondness for drawing animals. You can find more about her, and her work at: http://www.caitlinodwyer.com/

“When I first read Isabelle May I was delighted by the playfulness and cheeky rhythmic quality. I was reminded of some of my favourite books growing up. This was a book I could see myself loving as a child. I could imagine my dad doing the different voices. I could see the smug expressions on the fox’s face and the cheeky joy on Miss Isabelle. This was a book I wanted to read to my nephew. I have illustrated many book covers in the past, yet this is my first full book. I am so pleased this is the story I get to help tell!” 

Caitlin O'Dwyer, Illustrator

Help us bring Isabelle May into the world by making a pledge right now!

When we reach our base target, we will offer a PDF colouring book with each package. 

Why pledge?

We urge all parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, godparents, friends of parents and friends of people who are thinking of becoming parents – who love reading to their kids and getting involved in their learning– to make a pledge to this locally inspired and created project!

Parkinson’s Research

The Stewart family has first-hand experience in the need for Parkinson’s research.  Brett was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2013. Parkinson’s affects each person differently, and while some medications can make the symptoms less impactful for many sufferers, there is no cure.  

All profits from the publication will be donated to Parkinson’s Research via the Pause4Parkinson’s website: https://pause4parkinsons2021.raisely.com/cherry-stewart/

The Shake It Up Foundation works to find better treatments that will slow or stop the progression. They fund over 50 Parkinson’s Research Projects in 13 Australian Research Institutes. In partnership with the Michael J. Fox Foundation and other organisations, researchers collaborate around the globe in search of breakthroughs that will support Parkinson’s patients and their families.

Budget overview

The costs of creating a high-quality children’s book are many. We have set our target low so that distribution of Isabelle May to children and parents worldwide is possible. Our target will cover the printing and distribution costs, with illustration and production covered by family donations.

Help us bring Isabelle May into the world by making a pledge right now!