In her 35 years as “The Bird Lady” Sylvia Durrant helped over 140,000 sick, injured and lost birds. Writer and poet Johanna Emeney and novelist/illustrator/cartoonist Sarah Laing teamed up to tell the story of her life, Sylvia and the Birds. In their hybrid book, part graphic biography, and part practical guide to protecting our bird wildlife, they’ve used a collage of styles that include charming illustrations, an engrossing text and mātauranga Māori insights. Emeney, who has published three previous poetry collections, and Laing, the award-winning author/illustrator of graphic memoir Mansfield and Me, will together discuss the adventure of creating a call to action for all young ecologists and environmentalists, inspired by one of Aotearoa’s most passionate conservationists.

AUCKLAND WRITERS FESTIVAL 2023, WAITUHI O TĀMAKI TUESDAY 16 MAY 2023 – 10.55-11.40PM KIRI TE KANAWA THEATRE, AOTEA CENTRE