Bravery tales inspire cancer kids

26 March 2010
Courier Mail, Page: 23

By Fiona Purdon

Whenever Royal Children's Hospital leukaemia patient Keely Randall needs to escape, she turns to a good book or writes her own stories.

The 12-year-old has given her seal of approval to a new series from Queensland publishing house Goanna Tales, designed by Camp Quality experts to help children going through tough times.

The first book in the series is The Scribblybark Tree and the Dragon: The tree who made himiseif brave, about a tree damaged by dragon fire but who through a positive attitude makes the most of his situation.

 "I liked how the tree stood up to the dragon and the dragon became nice in the end," said Keely, from Gordonvale, south of Cairns.

"It was about being brave, standing up to anyone and anything, whether it's a bully or it's cancer." The book was written by Janne Hardy, who has been associated with Camp Quality for 26 years, and positive psychology consultant Sue Langley.

It features illustrations by Queenslander Chris Dent and photos by Steve Parish.