Celia Seagull and the Plastic Sea, Nicole Miller
Written by Nicole Miller
Illustrated by Lily Uivel
Published by Little Love, September 2021, RRP $15
“A delightful story that speaks to the harm that is caused by the plastic waste that ends up in the sea. The message is clear: we must dispose of plastic safely and help all life in the ocean”
Celia Seagull perched on the cliff,
eyeing up plastic and watching it drift.
Scanning for pieces to weave through her nest,
she held her beak high and puffed out her chest.
Our oceans are a mess. Plastic pollution and over-fishing are threatening many species, destroying the fine balance of our marine ecosystem.
In the spirit of Kiwi teen Bobby Stafford-Bush, whose love affair with the sea and marine life was cut tragically short at the age of 16, comes a living inheritance – Celia Seagull and the Plastic Sea.
Tauranga teacher and author Nicole Miller says, “I am honoured to be representing the legacy left by Bobby Stafford-Bush; to respect our ocean and marine life and to help others when we can.”
The manuscript for Celia Seagull and the Plastic Sea was a 2019 Joy Cowley award finalist. Now, with the generous support of The Bobby Stafford-Bush Foundation, it has become a published book. The Foundation plan to donate free copies of Miller’s children’s book to every school library and public library in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Celia Seagull and the Plastic Sea is a powerful debut and one which packs a punch. Focusing on the nest building antics of busy seagull Celia, Miller’s story demonstrates the perils of overlooking the danger plastic poses to our oceans and marine creatures. It also encourages readers to be less self-centred and care for others.
In harmony with Wellingtonian Lily Uivel’s captivating illustrations, Celia Seagull and the Plastic Sea will inspire children to help protect our marine life and oceans, one piece of plastic at a time; and to never be too busy to look out for others. There is also a strong sense of playfulness and fun in the book’s rhyming language and quirky narrative, which complement the serious messages being conveyed.
NICOLE MILLER grew up eating avocados on her family’s orchard in the Bay of Plenty. After receiving a Bachelor of Teaching at Waikato University, she spent five years travelling and teaching abroad. Now living back in Tauranga, after unexpectedly becoming the sole parent to her two young children, Nicole is passionate about music and nature. She enjoys writing educational songs for the students she teaches and, in 2018, released children's song, ‘Zero Plastic Christmas,’ as a resource for schools. Nicole teaches part-time at Brookfield Primary School.
LILY UIIVEL is a freelance illustrator who lives in Wellington. She graduated from Elam School of Fine Arts in 2015 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours). Since then, she has worked across multiple creatives industries, including publishing, advertising, design and the film industry: Lily Uivel Illustration (lilyillustration.com).