Matilda's Project

Matilda's grade 1 teacher has set the class a project; To present about their families. Constantly bombarded with stereotypical images in books and media about what a family should look like, she is nervous about seeming different to her peers. After sharing her project and listening to the stories of her classmates, Matilda realizes that all families are different, but what they have in common is love. In a playful and heartwarming fashion, this colorfully illustrated children's book breaks through the stereotypes and presents a more balanced perspective of what constitutes a family. The personal stories of each character's different home experiences (which include same sex families, single parent and blended families, and grandparent families), help to educate and empower young readers to embrace diversity and promote inclusion.

Matilda's Project is a bright, moving, and inspiring book about family diversity, as seen through the eyes of children. Matilda's Project began as a community theatre production in January 2012. It was written, directed and performed by qualified teachers to educate and empower children. "As an educator, I too often see children who are confused and distressed by the images of family they are bombarded with which do not match up to their own experiences. As a teacher, I see that the norm children are presented with (of a home with mum and dad and the kids) often does not match the majority of their personal experiences, and that many children are left feeling as if there is something wrong with them and their families. I want as many children as possible to understand that family diversity is not a negative thing, that all of their experiences of family are valid. " - Danny Gibbins The production, although small scale, received sponsorship, excellent reviews and a reasonable amount of media attention. In the lead up to the production, much interest was generated in the themes and concepts by people outside of Melbourne. The book was written as a response to this so that the message of the play could be more widely distributed.

Danny Gibbins is a primary school teacher and mother of two who has always enjoyed both writing and inspiring others to write. Although she has been creating and illustrating children's stories for over 15 years, it is only due to constant nagging by her students and her own children to 'Finally get one of those awesome stories published!' that she is braving the publishing world. Born in Melbourne, Australia, she spent much of her childhood in Sydney before returning to the World's Most Livable City once more in her teens. When she’s not working on her latest story or play, you can usually find her driving her kids to their seeming endless series of social engagements, doing science experiments, or attempting to put together furniture and meals while ignoring the instructions.