A new coin has been minted as a tribute to one of Australia’s most popular children’s books, Mem Fox’s Where is the Green Sheep? Fittingly, 20-cent versions of the coin will be released by the Royal Australian Mint to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the book’s publication. The collectible coin features a splash of green, depicting the ‚bed sheep‘ reading a book with a thought bubble including a trio of sheep.
The coin will be available for sale in three different versions. This includes 25,000 of the themed coins in a copy of the book, 5,000 in a themed card, and 3,000 gold-plated copies in a deluxe special edition book. Illustrator Judy Horacek expressed her surprise and excitement at the book being commemorated in coin form, stating, „There’s something really exciting about a coin … maybe it’s because it’s so solid, or it’s golden, or like treasure, that it is a huge honor.“
The inspiration for the book came from Horacek publishing etchings of different animals on her website, including a red cat, a blue dog, and a green sheep. Mem Fox came across the designs and fell in love with the green sheep, prompting them to collaborate on creating the book. Now, almost three million copies of Where is the Green Sheep? have been sold globally.
The book’s success can be attributed to a combination of factors that resonate with children. Horacek notes that the silliness, humor, color, movement, rhythm, rhyme, repetition, and mystery in the illustrations all contribute to its appeal. She believes that the book’s magic lies in the perfect combination of these elements, making it a beloved classic among young readers.
The coin was launched at the Royal Australian Mint by Julie Long from the Children’s Book Council of Australia, illustrator Judy Horacek, and the Mint’s CEO Leigh Gordon. This commemorative coin adds to the Mint’s collection of coins featuring iconic Australian characters, such as Bluey the blue heeler. Where Is The Green Sheep? won the CBCA Book of the Year: Early Childhood in 2005, solidifying its place as a cherished children’s book in Australia.
In conclusion, the release of the Where is the Green Sheep? commemorative coin is a fitting tribute to a beloved children’s book that has captured the hearts of readers worldwide. The coin’s design, inspired by the book’s illustrations, pays homage to the whimsical and enchanting world created by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek. This special edition coin is sure to be a treasured keepsake for fans of the book and collectors alike.