I asked (from curiosity, to help my writing self)
What subjects might be missing from the local kid-lit shelf.
I set a page called "By Request" and sent the URL about
"If you think there's something missing, hey, give Sallyo a shout!"
I asked for their opinion, teen or child or dad or mum;
"What don't you see in children's books that ought to get a run?"
The e-mails started rolling in-
They're coming every week;
From readers all around the place;
They tell me what they seek.
They send me their opinions, they want to have their say;
They let me know the subjects that kids would like today.

And what do they want, the children? What would they like to read?
Pirate tales and fairies, a dragon for a steed -
And what would adults like to find between their children's pages?
Bushfires and injustice;
Bullies and outrages...
I see a generation gap
Among these "missing tales"
And can I bridge the chasm;
Keep my project on the rails?
I have to hear them all you see -
Choose wisely what I cook
Though kids will read my stories
It's adults who buy the books.