Marcela Ferreira explores the challenge of change in Isobel Hates Change
About Author
ReadingZone caught up with Marcela Ferreira to look at change and transitions in her new picture book, Isobel Hates Change.
Marcela Ferreira was born in Rio de Janeiro. She moved to London as a teenager and had to quickly get to grips with a whole new language and culture. The experience was transformative. Unsurprisingly, her stories tend to focus on friendship, growth, change, and being yourself.
Her debut picture book, The Queen Next Door, was shortlisted for the Waterstone's Illustrated Book Prize 2024, and in 2025 she was chosen to be part of GLL Literary Foundation's first author mentorship programme.
She lives in London with her husband, two children, and a pair of rescued cats. She is the author of several picture books, including Bear vs Dragon, I Could Be Eaten by a Shark, and Isobel Hates Change.
Interview
August 2026
Exploring the challenges of change and transition in Isobel Hates Change
ReadingZone spoke with author Marcela Ferreira to find out about her new picture book, Isobel Hates Change, and how parents and teachers can use the story to explore how children feel about change.
More about Isobel Hates Change: Isobel loves her class teacher and the routine of the school day - until the day they have a different teacher and he does things - differently . . . Can Isobel find a way to live with change - and maybe even enjoy doing things differently?
Marcela Ferreira's earlier picture books, also illustrated by Mark Chambers, explore the challenges feelings can bring, including Bear vs Dragon - a story about compromise and tolerance - and facing our fears in I Could Be Eaten By a Shark.
Q&A with Marcela Ferreira, exploring the challenge of change in Isobel Hates Change
"Change, though often unsettling, is part of every day life, you cannot avoid it. But if you open yourself to it,
it can also make you stronger, bring happiness and growth!"
1. How did you become an author? What do you most enjoy, and what's most challenging, in creating a great picture book?
I always wrote things as a kid. Stories, poems, bits of dialogue. But less so as I grew older. Having children introduced me to the world of English picture books (very different from the ones I grew up with). I spent a lot of time in the library with my kids and I loved reading to them. It was a moment of discovery for all of us. I learnt about their tastes, their sense of humour and sensibilities. And they learned empathy, courage, curiosity, friendship, adventure and everything in between through the stories I read.
It was clear to me how important those stories were not just for their developing minds but also our relationship. It brought us closer. It gave us a space all of our own. Those stories were a gift - and I wanted to give back. That was the motivation for starting to write again. I wrote lots of things, did a few courses and started submitting. I made all the mistakes people tell you not to make, and then wrote some more and more and more. Took years, but here I am. The thing I enjoy most about the process is seeing the illustrations. There is nothing like seeing your characters come to life on the page! It's magic.
Writing definitely feels different now from how it did when I was first published. We have all read the stats about reading and young children. Books are competing against tablets, iPhones, iPads, videogames, VR sets, social media, apps and TV. Attention spans are dwindling and stories are expected to do a lot in very little time. It's hard, and I certainly feel the pressure. Campaigns like the National Year of Reading helps, and libraries continue to do a great job but it is only the beginning. Competition is also fierce. Sometimes there are too many books in the market all at once. Most are excellent (don't get me wrong) but they are not given enough time to 'take root', and must soon make way for the wave of new books arriving the following month. It means plenty of great picture books don't get enough time to shine.
2. Which of the picture books that you've created are you happiest with?
That is an impossible question to answer for me! I love each of my books. I enjoy reading funny stories a lot, and I think Bear vs Dragon delivers that. I want to write more silly stuff too, the world needs silly right now. But at this moment, I am most excited about Isobel Hates Change. It's quite a versatile story. It covers change, growth and resilience. It opens conversations about every day change - from nature to our own bodies - as well as more complex change and how it makes us feel. I've already had quite a few comments from reviewers about how they too struggle with change and I think that when you write something that resonates across ages you've done a good job.
3. Can you tell us more about Isobel Hates Change, which is now out with OUP?
The story follows Isobel, happily going about her usual day, feeling safe and secure until change disrupts that sense of safety. She begins to struggle as more of her beloved routine falls apart, ultimately culminating in a meltdown. Though her teacher is sympathetic, it is her trusty dog Steve that helps her see that change is in fact everywhere, and not to be feared.
4. What inspired this story about a child struggling with changes to their routines? Do you sympathise with Isobel?
I absolutely sympathise with her. This story is very much about my own experiences. I had a lot of big change (that I had no control over) thrown my way at a very young age and it changed the trajectory of my life completely. There were a lot of positives that came from it, but there was also a lot of new and complex things to navigate. It had a big impact on me (and my sister, whom I have dedicated the book to).
I think we both believed for a long time that we were awful when it came to change - I even saw it as a personal failure. It's only recently that I realised that the opposite was true. That we were in fact amazing at handling all that change, as well as extremely brave. Change can be powerful but what it often delivers is inner growth and resilience.
5. Why did you decide to set the scene for this book in the classroom?
The classroom is where a lot of change naturally happens. From new friend groups and teachers, to the inevitably of moving up every year, it just seemed like a natural setting. It also allows for bigger conversations among peers which is always great.
6. Do you have any suggestions for teachers or parents to take this picture book further with children, in terms of discussions or activities?
Absolutely! I think this story can deliver a lot. It can help support some school syllabus (science) by covering the seasons and what can be observed in each one and why, as well as the lifecycle of stick insects. It can be used as inspiration in art class by asking children to create macaroni pictures - either reproducing a famous painting like Isobel does in the book (did you spot it? 😉) or just an every day scene in their lives, a portrait, etc.
But I hope the book is used as a stepping stone into conversations about change and what it means. How present it is in all our lives, how it can make us (and others) feel, how best to navigate it, how positive it can be and how important it is to talk about it. Because let's face it, change is happening to us all and now, for better or worse, at a much faster rate than we might like. So the more we can talk about it the better.
7. Steve, Isobel's pet dog, gets a starring role in the story, in reflecting positively on change. Why did you decide to give that job to Steve?
When I was very young we had a German Shepherd named Cindy. I used to spend hours playing elaborate games with her, make believe, role play and big adventure stuff. She endured it all as loyal dogs do - and I think about her often. It was such a positive experience for me, and even after all this time, her impact is palpable. So having an animal guide Isobel through it felt natural to me.
The name was also chosen on purpose. I have a friend, Steve, and he is always so positive, always so happy and cheerful every time we see him . . . you can't help but absorb some of it. The impact that this attitude and approach to life can have on others is undeniable.
8. What do you hope young readers will take from Isobel's experiences with change?
That change, though often unsettling, is part of every day life, you cannot avoid it. But if you open yourself to it, it can also make you stronger, bring happiness and growth!
9. The book is illustrated by Mark Chambers, who also illustrated your earlier books, Bear vs Dragon and I Could Be Eaten By a Shark. Why do you feel your text and his illustrations work well together?
Mark has been excellent in balancing the comic and the serious in my stories. He hit the ground running with Bear vs Dragon - a story about two characters standing on a bridge. He had no setting to play with, just character and expressions, so it wasn't easy! But he did a great job and even added a few extra characters (blackbird, snail) that really helped elevate the sense of outrage and ridiculousness of their argument as the story moves on. I loved those two so much that asked if they could be included in the other books too. Which he obliged! Mark does that a lot - little details here and there that adds to the story and delights us all.
For Isobel Hates Change, I sent Mark a lot of class pictures of my kids for inspiration. Isobel is my daughter's name and it is clear (to me) that he drew her - he even added my son as a classmate (which of course , I loved). Getting her emotions and expressions throughout the story was a challenge but Mark navigated it expertly. We can clearly see her growing distress as well as her thinking things through when Steve gets involved. It's a process for her - and we get to see it on the page.
10. What, like Isobel, are your favourite routines in your daily life - and what are your favourite escapes from the routines?
I walk every morning with my husband. It's important time for us as we talk about everything and anything from what is going on with the kids, our pensions, politics, dentist appointments and what we are going to eat for dinner. I hate when we can't make the walk, the whole day feels off.
Holidays are routine breakers for me. I read more, and do less!
Creative Challenge from Marcela Ferreira: Think about your everyday routine - from when you wake up until you go to bed. Can you describe it? Now think of the craziest, topsy turvy changes you would like to make to it. Ice cream for breakfast? Horse ride to school? The crazier the better!
Change happens every day, even though you might not notice it at first. Think of a change that you have experienced recently. It can be anything from a wobbly tooth, a new pet, first swimming lesson, or a brand new haircut. Or maybe there is change coming your way like a house move, a new sibling or a holiday? Can you describe it? How did/does it make you feel? Now think of something you don't want to change. Why do you think that is?
School Visits by Marcela Ferreira: I offer school events, library visits, book readings and literature festivals. It all depends how long I've got for the event but I usually start by talking a little about myself, where I am from and writing in a second language. I mention my books, the role of the illustrator and my inspiration. Then I get reading! Afterwards we talk about what the book is about, so in this case there will be lots of chat about change and types of change and how it can be handled.
Then there are plenty of activities to get started with. A draw along, a quick fire quiz, an opportunity for children to do some colouring (especially the younger ones), or drawing (ideal class mascots). There is a Q&A too, but I also like to ask children questions and give them an opportunity to talk about themselves (if they are like me - can speak a different language), and their experiences of change. I love hearing their answers and I always leave having learnt something new!
Everyone always leaves with a sticker! I can also tailor events if a school wants to cover something specific. The best way to get in touch is through my website, marcelafwrites.com and email me as much information about the event as you can: format, age group, length of visit, expectations.
Isobel Hates Change: A joyful picture book about embracing the unexpected
I Could be Eaten by a Shark
Bear vs Dragon
