The Friendship Paradox

‘Aśka’s dynamic style shines with nuanced characters and rich sense of place as Dash navigates the complexities of science and friendship while on a road trip like no other.’ Sarah Winifred Searle, multi-award-winning creator of The Greatest Thing ‘There are three laws of the universe: 1) Aśka is a great storyteller. 2) This book is good. 3) You need to get this.’ Reimena Yee, Eisner-nominated creator of Séance Tea Party ‘A rollicking adventure through science, relationships and the mess of life that offers a whole new way of understanding the world around and inside us.’ Campbell Whyte, award-winning creator of Home Time‘A book that reminds us of our place in the vastness of the universe and the rarity of finding a true friend amongst it all. I feel truly grateful for how this book made me feel and think.’ Mandy Ord, illustrator of the CBCA-shortlisted Chalk Boy‘Filled with vibrant colours and expressive characters, The Friendship Paradox is a colourful journey of self-discovery and friendship.’ Books+Publishing

Aśka (she/they) is an award-winning graphic novelist, an ex-quantum physicist and a big fan of the little doovalacky above the ’s’ in her name (which you pronounce ‘Ash-ka’). A hugely engaging and popular presenter, Aśka is passionate about visual literacy education. In addition to a catalogue of self-published comics, they have traditionally published more than a dozen books and graphic novels. Their recent titles include the YA graphic novel Stars In Their Eyes, which was a CBCA Notable Book, Stonewall Honor Book and nominated for the Comic Arts Awards of Australia. She is also a recipient of several government Arts grants, prizes and fellowships. Aśka is an organising committee member for the Perth Comic Arts Festival, contributes regularly to The School Magazine, volunteered as Illustrator Co-ordinator in the WA branch of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for four years, has single-handedly run an animation festival, held a solo art exhibition about numbers in nature, and has been featured in an ABC TV documentary. When they’re not creating children’s books, Aśka is travelling across Australia teaching eager students of all ages how to write with pictures.