Inspired by the excitement of becoming a grandparent, I have written a number of nonsense and fun stories and poems.
Bug in the Dark was roughly scribbled out in 2006. I shared this sample in 2011 at a writers’ group and Paul Elder, offered to illustrate it. He’d written a children’s book already, which we agreed wasn’t that flash. We struck a deal: I re-wrote his, and he illustrated mine – perfect. This was to be my first actual published children’s picture book!
Here’s the story:
A bug in the dark is sooooo hungry but doesn’t know how to find anything to eat. After watching other insects come and go, she has a cunning plan.
‘The vibrant cartoon characters which children will love are set within photographs of the under growth of Maungataurari, (Waikato).
Its simple rhyme and fun text will engage children and have them reading along. The story also fosters an awareness and appreciation for the natural environment.’
This book is perfect for 2-7-year olds.
You can purchase this book here for $20.00 plus $5.00 shipping.
If you wish to purchase bulk copies of either book please contact me via the contact form here.
My second book, Letter to a Weta, also reflects my interest in NZ’s natural environment and its smaller creatures. I wanted children to know about our familiar but little understood weta, and hope the rhyme and fun engages them in learning more.
It took many attempts before I had the angle I wanted, and then the whole story fell into place. Matt Kambic (http://www.mdkambic.com/), the clever illustrator of Letter to a Weta, and I, sent emails and samples of work back and forth with ideas and corrections for nearly year – we both had periods overseas – before we were both happy and ready to send it off to the printer.
Here is what the story is about.
A girl has her leg in plaster and is bored, bored, bored. So she does something a little crazy – as you do when you are bored: she writes a letter to a weta. To her and her mother’s amazement, the weta writes back. The weta does her best with limited resources from the bush,
The paper looked faded, and tatty and smeary.
Her ink was the juice of the karaka berry.
She also wants to know where a human’s feelers are,
Where are your feelers? I always have two.
They help to know, what’s what, and who’s who.
This book would suit a 3-8 year olds, especially if the parent is into encouraging a love of nature.
You can purchase this book here for $20.00 plus $5.00 shipping.
If you wish to purchase bulk copies of either books please contact me via the contact form here.
Matt Kambic (artist), and I presenting Letter to a Weta at our second book launch, (Books for Kids, Hamilton East)