This is a picture of some enthusiastic young readers who are very excited about their new book. St Anne’s School are the currently leading the way for the rest of New Zealand with their participation in a new food education program I have developed called ‘What’s for Lunch?’

The program works with the primary school curriculum to teach children about making healthy choices. The pupils learn about a new healthy food mainly vegetables every week through an interactive story, science experiment, recipe and worksheet. The program launched at the beginning of 2014 and is in use in many schools throughout the lower north island.

What is also very cool is that the grandma in the book is a lot like her in characteristics. I wonder if she realizes I based the character on her.

Throughout my life she has been an amazing role model and inspiration to me and I am like her in so many ways. I hope I too live to see 98 years old and am as great as her. Happy Birthday Grandma Burrell!

After talking a bit about what I do, we read the book aloud, I say we because all the children helped me! What talented little readers, they were able to keep up with me through the entire book, some even read it faster than me. I then got cracking, drawing some pictures on the whiteboard, the children were great at helping me figure out what to draw next. I had to draw a plait with my first drawing, a rat’s tail with my second drawing and an entire beard with my last drawing, oh what fun.

After my visit I came home with a pile of colouring in competitions to judge. This is always a tricky task as there are so many talented artists at Maoribank School. I had such a hard time picking my favourites! But it had to be done and the two winners used a lot of bright vibrant colours and were creative in their approach. A big CONGRATULATIONS to Nathan age 6 and Sapphire age 9. Well done! Your prize is on its way to Maoribank School.

Thank you so much for having me Maoribank School! Keep up the great artwork:)

The book has now been out for two weeks and sales are growing by the day. But I thought I would write a small post about some of the feedback and stories of the children reading the book. I had the pleasure of reading it to two very lovely and polite children last night, a three-year old boy and a five-year old girl they both listened patiently as I read to them, a little shy but eager to hear the story. As the story started to build the three-year old could not contain his excitement, each time I turned the page he couldn’t wait for me to read the words out, he just had to tell me ‘There’s a Cat!’ ‘There’s a Dog!’ It was very nice seeing the excitement build as the story was told.

I had another report that a one year old was asking where the chicken was as he was looking for the actual bird not a cooked chicken, very cute:)

The overall feedback has been that children are having a great time following the fly throughout the pages and are able to remember some of the lines and join in with reading the story out loud. It has become the new favourite in many households and is being read repeatedly after endless requests.

I love hearing feedback about the readers of the book so send me your own stories and feedback or images.

As I begin my journey of selling my ‘Catch that Fly!’ books I am overwhelmed with the support and enthusiasm from everyone I meet. I decided I need to do something to say a little thanks and give children the opportunity to be involved in my creative process a bit more. As much as I would love to create a character based on every single one of you I can only commit to one at this point and time. So once I am ready to create the next book I will put all my subscribers chosen children’s names into a hat and draw out the lucky winner! This winner will send me a name and photo of either themselves or a nominated child or adult that they would like to be a character in my next book. I will then use this image to inspire the lead character in my story. The winner will be sent a signed copy of the book and a signed original drawing of their character.

So sign up and be in to WIN!

Terms and conditions

1. The winner of the lucky draw will be given the opportunity to be a character in the next children’s book written by Amy Burrell. If the winner doesn’t want to be the character themselves they are able to nominate another person (eg. child or friend). The winner will provide a name and photo of the nominated person to Amy Burrell she will then use the image as reference to design and illustrate the character. The character will be used in a pre written story. The winner will have no input into the story or art direction. The winner will receive a signed copy of the new book as well as a signed original sketch of their character.
2. Entry to the competition is restricted to one entry per email address of the subscriber.  
3. Competition is open to residents of any country in the world.
4. The winner will be drawn out of a hat containing all entries email addresses on the date that has yet to be confirmed by Amy Burrell and will be broadcast live via the Internet to all subscribers.
5. The winner will be contacted via email and will be given the opportunity to discuss the character person nominated.
6. The Judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered in to.
7. The competition will run from 13, July, 2012 until further notice.
8. Catch that Fly is compliant with the data protection act. Our policy is such that we will not pass on your details to any third party without your prior consent.