Children & Young People
Showing front cover and sample pages
A first-time author gives it a go
This author in NZ teamed up with a friend and illustrator in Michigan. Roughly A4 size. 38 pages, all glossy and full-colour. She ordered 150 copies and looks forward to a 2nd print run. The story of a little caterpillar who badly wanted to fly but couldn't... until one day. BriarsBooks reworked the art to fill gaps in the book, and designed the cover and title page.
A first novel by a retired teacher - writing under a pseudonym - aimed at teenage girls in particular. Over 100 images. The plot ducks and dives between England, New Zealand and an imaginary, exotic principality in the Middle East, and is a mixture of fantasy, romance, mystery, tragedy and the fulfilment of an impossible dream. Cover design by BriarsBooks. The author is now planning a biography.
A 7-year old Russian girl achieves her dream
Art by Victoria ( front and back cover)
Путешествие Кузи
Victoria was a seven year old Russian girl with brain cancer and only several months to live. She wrote these two books (and created all the art) for friends and family and "all the children." One of the things on her bucket list was "writing a real book". Her hospital social worker made the approach to Briar's Books who contacted a local printer. Both did the job at no cost. One of the books was in Russian and the other in English, both on different subjects. Victoria had her stories clear but her drawings were only half-finished, because of her illness. She only wanted her drawings used, so I had to be very creative with the pieces of art on every scrap of paper she gave me. She was very clear about her cover design and her colours, and checked everything to make sure I was doing exactly what she wanted
Hungry Little Dragon
Art by Victoria( front cover and sample pages)
Hungry Little Dragon seemed to be Victoria's personal story - about a little dragon who was not intimidated by a slimy thing in a dark cave, but found friends and good food. Путешествие Кузи was about a grasshopper looking for "home" and unable to find a place she belonged - until she was befriended by a dragonfly who took her to a party. When her story came to the attention of Seven Sharp Hilary Barry flew down from Auckland with cameraman. Victoria didn't just get her "real" book written, illlustrated and printed, she got two of them and prime-time exposure on TV1. By the way - Victoria finally relented a little and let me add a tree and some extra grass to the front cover of her Russian version. She died about 4 months later.
Dyslexic author beats the odds
This author, Lynette Love, has been prolific - an average of one book a year for the last 10 years. Lynette was badly dyslexic as a child and would never have believed that she would ever write books until, in mid-life, she discovered that she could tell stories and illustrate. She distributes her books widely in libraries, primary schools, at community events, conferences, markets, workshops, giftshops, to doting grandparents and anybody anywhere. 30 pages with print runs of about 400.They are colourful, uplifting and cheerful and there is always a lot going on in the illustrations to hold children's interest. Visit her website.
Cock-a-Do the rooster
About a little rooster, Cock-a-Do, who was jealous of another rooster and made himself look ridiculous by trying to compete. With the help of a kind farmer, Cock-a-Do made the discovery that he didn't have to compete - he was exactly what the farmer wanted just the way he was.
The True Story of Joshua
- the teddy bear
This story looks at the recovery effort after the Christchurch Earthquake through the eyes of a small bear called Joshua. who sat in the window of a second hand shop feeling useless. Then a lady brought him and flew him down to Christchurch after the earthquake. As he toured the suburbs he realised what comfort he could bring and he became a different bear.
Back-to-Front Weka
A small South Island weka runs away to Christchurch from a difficult life on the West Coast and has some city adventures. But he begins to realise home is the place he wants to be. As he returns home he is welcomed back and the difficulties resolve ...
Bubbles
An imaginative trip with a special friend into a shiny land where the impossible becomes possible and children can learn to spell and count.
Valley of the Dinosaurs
Another imaginative trip to a place where dinosaurs talk and children can ride them.
Rainbow Bug
The amazing transformation that happens when a hungry caterpillar becomes a butterfly in the Gardener's Garden
Billy the Bulldozer
About a neglected old bulldozer who misses the friendly farmer who used to care for him. But the friendly farmer returns, restores him and Billy is given a new lease on life. In the meantime he has made some unlikely friends.
Happy Bee
One of her first children's books in which a small bee begins to make friends with other creatures that will inhabit books to follow. Happy Bee survives an encounter with some mean-spirited sunflowers and Beekeeper shows Happy Bee how to keep her happiness.