Interview: Susan Brocker talks about Tomboy the Headstrong Horse

Susan Brocker has written over 50 fiction and non-fiction books for older children and teens, which have been published worldwide. She has a history degree and a love of social history that is reflected in her books. Susan also has a close affinity with animals and lives with her husband and many pets on a small farm near Tauranga. Tomboy the Headstrong Horse is the latest in a picture book series based on true NZ animal tales. Susan talks to NZ Booklovers.

Tell us a little about Tomboy the Headstrong Horse.

This is the true and remarkable story of a strong-willed horse and the brave woman who rode him across New Zealand’s rugged South Island back in 1866. Caroline Chevalier was the first European woman to make this perilous journey across the untamed Southern Alps. She wrote about it in her diary as her husband Nicholas sketched the dramatic scenes.

What inspired you to write this book?

I enjoy reading about true animal stories from our past and I stumbled upon this story when I saw the sketch Nicholas Chevalier made of Tomboy bucking “very wild” from camp. I then read Caroline Chevalier’s diary and her bravery inspired me.

What research was involved?

I read Caroline Chevalier’s diary A Journey Across the South Island in 1866 and I also tapped into other sources available at the Alexander Turnbull Library and newspaper clippings from the time at https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/all

What was your routine or process when writing this book?

I first read all the sources I could find and drew a picture in my mind of Caroline and Tomboy’s incredible journey. I then sat down and wrote the story as if I were Caroline riding across the Southern Alps for the first time.

What did you enjoy the most about writing this picture book?

Mostly I enjoyed reading about Caroline’s bravery and trying to get this down on paper. As a rider myself, I couldn’t imagine how she managed to ride in full-length dresses and elegant hats across rugged land and raging rivers.

What do you hope families will take away from the book?

I hope they’ll understand more about our past and the difficulties and hardships early travellers and settlers faced in those days, especially women.

How did you work with the illustrator, Raymond McGrath?

I sent Raymond links to all the material I found on Caroline’s journey and the areas she passed through. He was especially interested in the sketches Nicholas Chevalier made of the journey.

What did you do to celebrate finishing this book?

I rode my own horse along the beach near where I live but dressed in jeans!

What’s next on the agenda for you?

I am currently finishing a novel for older readers called Heart of the Horse. This is the second book in a series I’m writing for Scholastic NZ exploring how animals, both real and imagined, can help children through life’s challenges. The first was Eye of the Dragon.

Scholastic New Zealand