OZ LIT PROFILE #7 - TRISTAN BANCKS

This week's guest is author, actor, presenter, fim-maker, writer and much-too-talented Tristan Bancks. Tristan is the author of the YA series Mac Slater, Cool Hunter and its yr life (co-authored with Tempany Deckert) His latest release for junior readers is the Nit Boy series. These books have already resulted in a family tug-of-war in our house but more about that tomorrow. Tonight it's Tristan's turn to answer a few questions:

1 The last children's/YA book you read (fiction or non-fiction) Slam by Nick Hornby. Funny, page-turning and well worth the investment.

2 If it wasn't an Oz title, then the last Oz title Fighting Ruben Wolfe by Markus Zusak. Such well-drawn characters but not a word wasted in description. Incredibly tight prose. Gritty and funny and honest. I loved it and will be heading out on a Zusak-fest in the near future. I'm also looking forward to reading some James Roy.

3 Name one favourite book from your childhood My Side of the Mountain by Jean Graighead George

4 Name one picture book that you love for the illustrations The Boy, The Bear, The Baron, The Bard by Gregory Rogers

5 What is your personal favourite among the books you have authored/illustrated ***Hmmm, Tristan skipped this one.... Very diplomatic ***

6 What book do you wish you had written - for love or money The Body by Stephen King, The Road by Cormac McCarthy, The Bugalugs Bum Thief, Tim Winton

7 If you could be a character in a book, who (or what) would you be? I'd be Max in Where the Wild Things Are

8 Do you have a favourite quote - from a book or life in general! Anything.' Fall seven times. Stand up eight.' - Chinese proverb.
'Experience is what happens when we don't get what we want.' - Not sure who.