AUTHOR: Jonathon Harrison and his children's book A Cabbage in a Spiderweb.
About 20 years ago a quirky children's book title popped into Jonathon Harrison's head called A Cabbage in a Spiderweb.
He thought the unusual title would disappear from his memory but every now and again it would reappear.
"I have been nursing this silly title for many years and have often wondered if I could write something."
A few years ago, when he moved to Otaki for a quieter lifestyle, he decided it was time to try and write a book that children would enjoy.
"I decided to get stuck in."
Over many months he wrote 14 story poems, focusing on different themes, about the adventures of four-year-old girl called Annabella.
He even went to the Castle Kids Pioneers kindergarten in Waikanae Beach and asked a teacher what she thought preschoolers found funny.
His adult children chipped as well, with Kelly creating a sketch of Annabella, and Andrew sharing his kindergarten memories.
With the finished manuscript complete he went to various publishing companies who rejected his work.
"I was about to give up."
But then he read an article which mentioned a boutique publishing company called CreateBooks.
The manuscript was dispatched to the company and one day he was contacted by Ann Neville who told him she loved his work and that it had made her laugh.
She was keen to publish it but Jonathon would need to find an illustrator first.
Jonathon discovered a talented illustrator, Jared Carson, who lives in Otaki.
Jared wrote and illustrated his first children's book Animals in Vehicles as a Christmas gift for his eldest son and sells copies of it in the Riverstone cafe in Otaki.
The pair met and a deal was struck where Jared would illustrate Jonathon's book, and Jonathon would try and get Jared's book into various bookstores.
After a few tweaks here and there to the script and illustrations, A Cabbage in a Spiderweb, which took two years to create, was finally published.
"I'm absolutely thrilled," Jonathon said. "It is way above my expectations."
A Cabbage in a Spiderweb is available at PaperPlus Coastlands, Moby Dickens Bookshop, in Paraparaumu Beach, and the Riverstone Cafe, Otaki.
Copies are RRP $22.50.
