Why a Kiwi as Oliver’s friend?
Amelia the Kiwi is amazing, even by kiwi standards.
Oliver is unique - he needed a friend as independent as he is. I began sketching, and poof! Amelia emerged - a kiwi. Of course, it had to be a kiwi.
I did a quick research on Kiwis; they are stand-alone souls that have persevered in this world, challenging evolution and redefining expectations. With a personality like this, a kiwi was a natural sidekick for Oliver the Platypus.
They only come out at night.
They have tiny wings but cannot fly.
They have nostrils at the end of their beak.
They have no tail feathers, but like a cat, they have whiskers.
Amelia appears in my books as a character with a heart full of love, unquestionable courage, and inherent determination to explore our fantastic world. Ready for any adventure, Amelia has adopted the mantra “When you’re floating on the breeze, you never quite know where you’ll land.” In my stories, she has Oliver on his toes, chasing this flightless bird, wondering where she’ll land next.
I also discovered that Kiwis are at risk.
I did not know that. Now that we know, we can act and help the kiwis.
Without ongoing support, experts estimate brown kiwis will be extinct in the wild within two generations. You can help by following this link to donate to the National Kiwi Hatchery in New Zealand. They are committed to kiwi conservation; let’s help Amelia and her relatives, the pretty awesome kiwi.
Why supporting my journey matters
When you support my store at Happy Pig Studio, you’re helping bring a new character into the world. Every purchase supports the launch of children’s books, new characters, and designs. And thank you. Always grateful for your support. You can order an Amelia picture or a t-shirt today and be one of the first to bring Amelia into your world. Then, keep an eye out — her story is only just beginning.
Peace, love, and light -
Kay
Learn more about Amelia by checking out Part 1: Meet Amelia the Kiwi
