Inspiring our young readers isn’t just part of the job for CIS teacher librarian Stojana Popovska, it’s the heart of everything she does. After more than 20 years of being in literacy education, Stojana transforms a moment of her everyday teaching and parenting into a creative breakthrough; the publication of her first children’s book titled ‘The Seashell Collector’.

When asked what does the ‘The Seashell Collector’ mean to her, Stojana shared that it is more than just a children’s book; it is the birth of a creative idea that was inspired from a casual beach walk with her son.

Since then, Stojana has written and illustrated two more titles, ‘A Counting Book Under the Sea’ and ‘Kala the Koala’; each one inspired by moments from her daily encounters with CIS students and her children at home, aiming to capture lasting memories with those around her. Outside of writing, Stojana creates whimsical greeting cards from pressed botanicals, often gifting them to friends and colleagues. The idea of incorporating botanical arts into her creative work came from ‘a happy accident’ of picking up natural materials such as fallen leaves, seashells and flower petals during her walks.

Despite a busy schedule, Stojana prioritises her creativity. Whether she's collecting natural materials on a walk or browsing the flower market, her ideas for botanical art are inspired directly by the nature around her.

The process is simple and intentionally organic. “You borrow from nature and you give it back”, a reflection of the respect to environmental sustainability that Stojana upholds herself to. Beyond writing and botanical arts, Stojana sees the opportunity in sharing the process with her students and children as her greatest reward. “Creativity is contagious”, a sentiment Stojana believes in, noting the joy she feels when her students and children light up with their own ideas of creativity after hearing about her work.

“Ideas can come from anywhere; You just need a little courage to bring them to life.”, a personal statement which she often shares with her students and children.