Celtic myth comes alive

Children's author Rachael King took time out in Masterton yesterday to visit three schools and talk about being a writer.

King, from Christchurch, is a junior fiction finalist in the NZ Post Children's Book Awards with Red Rocks.

She attended a book signing at Hedley's Bookstore in between visiting Solway College, Masterton Intermediate School and Hadlow School.

Red Rocks is about a youngster called Jake, who explores Wellington's south coast.

He finds a sealskin and takes it home, unleashing a scary chain of events.

King said the novel was based on the Celtic myth of the selkies, or seal people.

"A lot of experiences of Jake are based on my experiences of coming down with Dad [to the coast]."

Her father, historian Michael King, lived in Paremata.

She said she loved Wairarapa, particularly as its rugged coastline was similar to Wellington.

"I love Hedley's Bookstore, it's great. Such a wide range."

The winners of the awards will be announced on June 24.