As many of you know, I love making handmade gifts, handmade card, writing letters – put a pen in my hand and I’m in heaven. Like many, probably everyone, I love to express myself and this is how.
a little page with a few illustrations
I did several children’s literature papers at the University of Canterbury back in the day and before then I had created little picture book prototypes for my then young daughter, including stories that I had made up when I was a very young woman. One of my books was about a hen called Granny (based on a real life incident) is displayed here.
I recently dug out one of my prototypes and published it as a picture book, Lethbridge (Imaginary Friend).
It’s a sweet story encouraging use of imagination and creative problem solving for its young readers and is an allegory about creativity for adults. Lethbridge and their new friend are ideas people – for every issue they come across in life, there is the perfect solution, which Lethbridge is happy to carry out in a practical way.
It’s available on Amazon, and there is also a special Collector’s Edition available from my very small publishing house.
Here’s the read-along:
I’m so excited to finally have released this little project out into the world, it brought so much joy to me when I created it, I was once the little purple-haired girl, who felt very different and wanted the love and protection of a caring friend. My daughter also enjoyed the story when she was a little girl, we spent many happy hours reading it together.
I hope you enjoy my story and illustrations and here’s where to buy it if you are interested.
Wait, there’s more!
I could not resist using the surface patterns in this book to create a portfolio of the fabric and wallpaper I drew in the Lethbridge Imaginary Friend picture book! This is also available on Amazon as Lethbridge At Home: Designing Interior Art And Surface Patterns for Picture Books.