About The Series
Marigold’s Magic Stars is the first book in an enchanting new series that takes you on a creative journey through Marigold's world of arts, crafts, and inventive thinking. In this heartwarming tale, Marigold discovers that being smart comes in many forms—especially when it involves a bit of creativity and a lot of heart.
Marigold’s Magic Stars isn’t just a story; it’s an invitation for every child to explore their creativity and find their own unique way of shining bright. With Marigold as their creative friend, kids will learn that "you can't spell smart without art!"—a lesson that will stay with them long after the final page.
About the Author
Samantha Wills
Samantha Wills is a multidisciplinary creative known for founding one of Australia’s most successful accessories brands. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, The Sydney Morning Herald, Forbes magazine, and she was named a Breakout Star by the New York Times.
In 2016, she launched the Samantha Wills Institute, a platform dedicated to providing resources, insight and education for creative entrepreneurs. An ardent advocate for the power and practice of creativity, she is a supporter of the arts and champions female founders.
“Marigold’s Magic Stars” marks her second literary work. She is currently based in New York City (and, just like Marigold, still uses her fingers when doing addition.)
“As a kid, I saw 'smart' defined by academic achievements, which made me question my own value—my own—or rather, lack of—'smart'—because my strengths and interests were much more in creativity and the arts.
This book is, in a way, my origin story, a message to young readers that being creative is being smart.
It's a reminder to those who see the world through a creative lens, encouraging them to embrace their unique talents and the message that 'you can't spell ‘smart’ without ‘art!'”
-Samantha Wills
About the Illustrator
Emma Leonard
Multi-disciplinary Melbourne-based Emma Leonard creates art specialising in fashion and botanical illustrations, combining traditional pencil drawing, watercolour and oil painting with digital techniques. She was recently commissioned to illustrate the cover of the Australian Women’s Weekly ‘Royal Wedding Special Edition’, and contributed to Shout Out to The Girls, a book celebrating the incredible achievements of 50 high profile Australian women.
Emma has also created work for The Freedom Calendar, the proceeds of which were donated to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, and a
suite of illustrations for fragrance house, SOH Melbourne. Emma’s clients include Mercedes Benz, Covergirl NY, Conde Nast, Random House, Grand Hyatt, Colgate, Mitsubishi and MTV.
She relishes the freedom, spontaneity and joyful reactions produced by her live fashion illustration service, creating customised artworks for in-store activations, private functions and commercial events such as the Spring Racing Carnival.
