Author brings rural-themed stories to life for Otamarakau students

Author Jennifer Somervell (red top) with senior students from Otamarakau School.

Children at Otamarakau and Gold Sands schools were enthralled as the author of the award-winning Tales From the Farm picture books, Jennifer Somervell, brought her country stories to life in drama.

"We had junior child-pigs charging fences, squealing, rolling and leaping at buckets, as two pet pigs escaping on a food-finding mission," says Jennifer. "The students loved the role-playing, but were also interested in a how a book was created from first draft to publication."

The children were fascinated that the stories were true and based on real events.

"They loved The Day Dad Blew Up The Cowshed," says Jennifer. "They couldn't believe it was a true story."

Co-authored with Jennifer's sister-illustrator, Margery Fern, the series is based on their childhood adventures growing up in the 1960s and 70s on their family dairy farm.

Their four titles: The Day Dad Blew Up The Cowshed, The New Old Truck, The Eel Hunt and A Very Greedy Tale have all won first place awards in the United States-based Purple Dragonfly Book Awards for excellence in children's literature.

Feedback from teachers indicated some children were inspired to be authors and write about their own experiences.

"I hope budding writers will be encouraged to write about their own stories," says Jennifer.
"Country-themed books are gaining more recognition, which is great. They are part of our heritage as New Zealanders."

Titles in the Tales From The Farm series are available at most Paper Plus outlets, Books A Plenty, The Gift Locker, Mount Maunganui and online at the sisters' own website www.talesfromthefarm.co.nz