The Prime Minister Problem
When a lonely boy’s mission to save his grandmother goes viral, it sparks a movement that reshapes his country town — and everyone in it.
Ten-year-old Wren has always felt invisible. Mum is busy working two jobs, his brother has his own life, and at school, Wren hides in the library with the books his grandmother taught him to love. Grandma is the only person who truly sees him — until she has a stroke and is forced to move away to a nursing home in the city.
Lonelier than ever, Wren writes to the Prime Minister for help. When no reply comes, his small act of hope takes on a life of its own — and Wren discovers he isn’t the only one who feels forgotten. As his town rallies around him, Wren learns that real solutions don’t come from politicians, but from the people who call the town home.
A moving story about isolation, connection, and how one quiet voice can make a difference — echoing the warmth of Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds and the emotional honesty of Aster’s Good, Right Things by Kate Gordon.
PUBLISHER: Riveted Press
FORMAT: Paperback (21cm x 13.5cm)
PUBLICATION DATE: 28/04/2026
COMING APRIL 2026!
When a lonely boy’s mission to save his grandmother goes viral, it sparks a movement that reshapes his country town — and everyone in it.
Ten-year-old Wren has always felt invisible. Mum is busy working two jobs, his brother has his own life, and at school, Wren hides in the library with the books his grandmother taught him to love. Grandma is the only person who truly sees him — until she has a stroke and is forced to move away to a nursing home in the city.
Lonelier than ever, Wren writes to the Prime Minister for help. When no reply comes, his small act of hope takes on a life of its own — and Wren discovers he isn’t the only one who feels forgotten. As his town rallies around him, Wren learns that real solutions don’t come from politicians, but from the people who call the town home.
A moving story about isolation, connection, and how one quiet voice can make a difference — echoing the warmth of Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds and the emotional honesty of Aster’s Good, Right Things by Kate Gordon.
PUBLISHER: Riveted Press
FORMAT: Paperback (21cm x 13.5cm)
PUBLICATION DATE: 28/04/2026
COMING APRIL 2026!
PRAISE
“A warm and heartfelt story of a boy and his beloved grandmother, The Prime Minister Problem celebrates the
power of determination, invention, and connection.
With charm and emotional insight, the novel shines a light on loneliness in both the young and the elderly,
reminding readers that even small ideas can lead to big change.”
GABRIELLE WANG, award-winning author and 7th Australian Children’s Laureate:
“The Prime Minister Problem is a heartfelt and hopeful read about one boy’s mission to bring his beloved grandma back home after she has a stroke and moves to a nursing home in the city. Debut author Brenton Cullen writes with heart and humour, crafting an utterly moving and engaging story, with a compelling cast of diverse characters. I was hooked from the very beginning and cheered for kind-hearted Wren the whole way through, as he comes to understand both the importance of community, and the power of his own voice, in making a difference.
This story beautifully celebrates community, kindness, and intergenerational relationships, while shining a light on the power that lies within each of us to make a difference. I loved this big-hearted story and highly recommend it for readers young (and old!) who have ever longed to have their voice heard.”
SANDY BIGNA, author of Little Bones
"A warm hug of a book ... Tender and moving"
DEBORAH ABELA, author of The Kindness Project
“A delightful story of a devoted grandmother, a town with nowhere to care for her and a boy who decides he’s had enough of being bullied and lonely. A book for every quiet kid who wants their voice to be heard in the things that matter.”
WENDY ORR, award-winning author of Nim’s Island and Dragonfly Song
A touching, funny and thoughtful story about a boy named Wren who writes in desperation to the Prime Minister for help with his aging grandmother. Brenton Cullen beautifully and gently leads the young reader, along with Wren, to their own discovery of what real power is, through the persistence of love and hope in family, friends and community.”
URSULA DUBOSARSKY, best-selling author and Australian Children’s Laureate 2020-2021
A heartfelt story about loneliness, love, and changing the world ...Wren is a gorgeous character and my heart was rooting for him the whole way.”
TANIA INGRAM, author of The Other Shadow
“With a light touch and perfect pitch, Brenton Cullen's accomplished debut novel immerses the reader in the world of ten-year-old Wren, whose difficult challenges at school and home don't stop him from seeing the needs and hopes of others, especially his beloved grandmother. Hoping initially to attract the attention of the Prime Minister to the problems of the elderly in his small community, he comes to the realisation the solution might lie closer to home and comes up with an extraordinary initiative. Heart-breaking and joyous by turn, full of warmth, compassion and understanding, The Prime Minister Problem is also an entertaining, page-turning novel which will resonate strongly with readers.”
SOPHIE MASSON AM, award-winning author
Despite his supportive relationship with his beloved grandmother, Wren is crippled with shyness and loneliness, but with hope, courage and a budding friendship, he finds he has a voice loud enough to make powerful changes in his own life and all those around him. Even the Prime Minister’s. A heart-warming story about love, friendship and empathy.”
JANEEN BRIAN, award-winning author & poet
“A warm and heartfelt story of a boy and his beloved grandmother, The Prime Minister Problem celebrates the
power of determination, invention, and connection.
With charm and emotional insight, the novel shines a light on loneliness in both the young and the elderly,
reminding readers that even small ideas can lead to big change.”
GABRIELLE WANG, award-winning author and 7th Australian Children’s Laureate:
“The Prime Minister Problem is a heartfelt and hopeful read about one boy’s mission to bring his beloved grandma back home after she has a stroke and moves to a nursing home in the city. Debut author Brenton Cullen writes with heart and humour, crafting an utterly moving and engaging story, with a compelling cast of diverse characters. I was hooked from the very beginning and cheered for kind-hearted Wren the whole way through, as he comes to understand both the importance of community, and the power of his own voice, in making a difference.
This story beautifully celebrates community, kindness, and intergenerational relationships, while shining a light on the power that lies within each of us to make a difference. I loved this big-hearted story and highly recommend it for readers young (and old!) who have ever longed to have their voice heard.”
SANDY BIGNA, author of Little Bones
"A warm hug of a book ... Tender and moving"
DEBORAH ABELA, author of The Kindness Project
“A delightful story of a devoted grandmother, a town with nowhere to care for her and a boy who decides he’s had enough of being bullied and lonely. A book for every quiet kid who wants their voice to be heard in the things that matter.”
WENDY ORR, award-winning author of Nim’s Island and Dragonfly Song
A touching, funny and thoughtful story about a boy named Wren who writes in desperation to the Prime Minister for help with his aging grandmother. Brenton Cullen beautifully and gently leads the young reader, along with Wren, to their own discovery of what real power is, through the persistence of love and hope in family, friends and community.”
URSULA DUBOSARSKY, best-selling author and Australian Children’s Laureate 2020-2021
A heartfelt story about loneliness, love, and changing the world ...Wren is a gorgeous character and my heart was rooting for him the whole way.”
TANIA INGRAM, author of The Other Shadow
“With a light touch and perfect pitch, Brenton Cullen's accomplished debut novel immerses the reader in the world of ten-year-old Wren, whose difficult challenges at school and home don't stop him from seeing the needs and hopes of others, especially his beloved grandmother. Hoping initially to attract the attention of the Prime Minister to the problems of the elderly in his small community, he comes to the realisation the solution might lie closer to home and comes up with an extraordinary initiative. Heart-breaking and joyous by turn, full of warmth, compassion and understanding, The Prime Minister Problem is also an entertaining, page-turning novel which will resonate strongly with readers.”
SOPHIE MASSON AM, award-winning author
Despite his supportive relationship with his beloved grandmother, Wren is crippled with shyness and loneliness, but with hope, courage and a budding friendship, he finds he has a voice loud enough to make powerful changes in his own life and all those around him. Even the Prime Minister’s. A heart-warming story about love, friendship and empathy.”
JANEEN BRIAN, award-winning author & poet
AUTHOR'S NOTE
I began writing the first draft in early 2022. The title has never changed, but the initial idea is vastly different to the published book.
It was all sparked because I wanted to write a story for my partner, who is a political enthusiast.
Originally, I thought of writing a humorous story about a boy who runs for Prime Minister of Australia. However, very, very quickly (as in, within two or three chapters), the story took on its own direction — or, rather, its true direction. When I sat down to begin writing, it very quickly changed as I gathered more and more ideas to build my story.
Within just a few chapters, it wasn’t the short, funny book I thought it would be. It went deeper; more ideas were added and very soon I found all the ideas coming together, layer upon layer, adding texture to the story until I found the true heart of what the book was meant to be; the story I didn’t even realise, at first.
In 2023, I was awarded the Ian Wilson Memorial Fellowship by the May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust. I spent four weeks in Adelaide, writing and researching and networking. This was the first big experience that helped me realise I was making steps forward. The time in Adelaide was invaluable to help me rewrite the next few drafts of the manuscript for The Prime Minister Problem.
This is where I really honed in on themes of loneliness, community, intergenerational friendships and the power of a quiet voice.
The heart of the story finally was unearthed; it felt like I had been digging away at an excavation site, trying to find a piece of treasure.
TEACHING NOTES & ACTIVITIES
Coming Soon!
I began writing the first draft in early 2022. The title has never changed, but the initial idea is vastly different to the published book.
It was all sparked because I wanted to write a story for my partner, who is a political enthusiast.
Originally, I thought of writing a humorous story about a boy who runs for Prime Minister of Australia. However, very, very quickly (as in, within two or three chapters), the story took on its own direction — or, rather, its true direction. When I sat down to begin writing, it very quickly changed as I gathered more and more ideas to build my story.
Within just a few chapters, it wasn’t the short, funny book I thought it would be. It went deeper; more ideas were added and very soon I found all the ideas coming together, layer upon layer, adding texture to the story until I found the true heart of what the book was meant to be; the story I didn’t even realise, at first.
In 2023, I was awarded the Ian Wilson Memorial Fellowship by the May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust. I spent four weeks in Adelaide, writing and researching and networking. This was the first big experience that helped me realise I was making steps forward. The time in Adelaide was invaluable to help me rewrite the next few drafts of the manuscript for The Prime Minister Problem.
This is where I really honed in on themes of loneliness, community, intergenerational friendships and the power of a quiet voice.
The heart of the story finally was unearthed; it felt like I had been digging away at an excavation site, trying to find a piece of treasure.
TEACHING NOTES & ACTIVITIES
Coming Soon!