Truganina’s Michelle Monaghan has always been entertained by her grandmother’s customs and traditions.
Visits to grandma’s house meant squeezed cheeks and being greeted with the word skortha – Greek for garlic. Tradition holds that saying the word will ward off evil.
So when the Westbourne Grammar School teacher decided to write a children’s book, she drew on those memories.
“My grandmother is a very entertaining lady. The book is a tribute to her and her quirky customs,” Monaghan says.
“I have a four-year-old son and I wanted him to be informed about his family history. I’m keen to celebrate family traditions and celebrate them rather than try to hide them.”
Monaghan said writing and publishing Garlic, Hankies And Hugs was a lengthy process, but she was keen to share her experiences with her pupils and hopefully inspire them to one day write their own book.
She has already written a second manuscript, which she hopes will be published soon.
Monaghan said writing children’s books came naturally to her.
“Most primary school teachers, when they sit down, would probably find that they have a few books in them,” she said.
