Our books are drawn from our childhood adventures growing up on a New Zealand dairy farm in the 1970s. 

Cuddle up with the kids and enjoy outrageous stories about blowing up a cowshed, pigs and their antics, old trucks and their quirks, eeling adventures, stinky situations - all with larger-than-life characters, and lots of kiwi ingenuity.

 
 
 
 
 
 

NEW!

The Flight of my Life

It’s the 1970s and Margery’s brother, a topdressing pilot, lands on the farm. Eight-year-old Margery is desperate to fly, but her older sisters scorn the idea. Join Margery as she contends for the flight of her life.

Discover how the first, brave topdressing pilots took to the skies to spread fertiliser on New Zealand farms. Learn how girls too can follow their dream to fly.

 
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Best Sellers

Featured
Old Truck and the Flood
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Old Truck and the Flood
NZ$22.60

Old Truck is home alone when the Tongariro River bursts its banks.“What will happen to me?” he thinks. I am not a duck! I’m a truck. And I’m stuck!”

PLUS What really happened - Old Truck in the Tongariro River flood of 2004 and tips for being ready for a flood.

“This book has it all: text which flows easily, an old truck that can talk and has feelings, lots of action linked with a natural disaster, humour, bonus pages of factual information and gorgeous illustrations. And it is all based on a calamity that occurred here in New Zealand … a fantastic story.” More
- Nadine Malloy, Remarkables Primary School reviewing for The School Journal, Read NZ

“Fun, factual and full of feelings. A quintessential Kiwi read - I loved it! The icing on the cake being able to read the story and then meet the real-life characters in the section at the back.”
- Toni Shanks, Editor, Top Title in Upstart Magazine

Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2021

First Place Best Illustrations
First Place Best Cover Design
Honourable Mention: Picture Book 6 and over

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The Day Dad Blew up the Cowshed
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The Day Dad Blew up the Cowshed
NZ$22.30

Blowing up a cowshed - this farm tale really happened! In the 1960s and 70s it wasn’t unusual for returned servicemen and their farmer sons in New Zealand to blow things up. For Jennifer and Margery, growing up on a farm in Hawkes Bay, blowing up the cowshed was a momentous event in their childhood. Here is the story just as they experienced it – vivid in detail, action and unforeseen consequences!

Dramatic and hilarious, this true Kiwi story comes with an educational section on the invention of the first rotary cowshed in New Zealand by a Taranaki dairy farmer.

"This is a true NZ down-on-the-farm story written in catchy rhyme which will make you shake your head and laugh out loud."
-Sue Hoyle, Top Title in Upstart magazine

Revised edition 2015
Paperback: 210x277mm, 40pp
Cover: Laminate gloss, embossed title, gold foil effect
ISBN: 978-0-473-29775-6

Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2016
First Place: Picture Book 6 & Older
First Place: Historical Fiction
First Place: Best Cover Design


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The New Old Truck - 100th Birthday Edition
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The New Old Truck - 100th Birthday Edition
NZ$22.30

Old Truck backfires, graunches gears, won’t start and often has to be towed. Retired, rejected and shut up in a shed, Old Truck feels old and useless. Is this the end for Old Truck? In this heart-warming true story, Old Truck discovers he is not old and useless but unique and special.

The real Old Truck. a rare 1921 Model 10 Republic, has been featured in newspapers, magazines and on TV.

This special edition includes photos of his 100th birthday in 2021, along with fascinating information about his heritage and his remarkable restoration on Silodale Farm.

“A charming New Zealand-based yarn... beautiful, expressive watercolor images illustrating details of farm life ... shows the joy in restoring a farm stalwart.'“- Kirkus Reviews

“I love it, the kids love it, the teachers love it. Children wanted it read again and again!”
-Fiona Gallagher , Teacher, Wee Nippers Early Childhood Centre

Paperback: 210x277mm, 40pp
Cover: Laminate gloss, embossed title, gold foil effect
ISBN: 978-0-473-633837

Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2014
1st Picture Book 6 years and over
1st Best Cover Design

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SHOP BEST SELLERS
 
 

Fleur Coleman, Mahurangi East Library

Read the slimy tailed NZ homegrown story 'The Eel Hunt' with Librarian Fleur, down on the farm.

 
 
 

 Other Books by Jennifer

 
Featured
NEW! Curly Cat the Acrobat
NEW! Curly Cat the Acrobat
NZ$23.10

PRE-ORDER NOW for delivery late Sept/October

Curly Cat gazes at the trapeze cats practising their somersaults. He imagines himself flying through the air, doing spectacular tricks. He could do that!

One dark night, he climbs up to the high platform, and steps out …
Includes fun facts about cats, somersaults and flying trapeze.

“This charming story with a paws-itively surprising ending will be a hit with children and teachers alike. Purr-fecto!”- Rachel Weston, award-winning author of Kiwi Bees Have Tiny Knees

“A fabulous book! This gripping tale about pursuing a dream against all odds had children on the edge of their seats. They absolutely loved it.” - Ben Foster, Teacher, Wānaka Primary School

“A roller coaster of emotions and excitement that the whole family will enjoy." - Room 12 students, Opawa School

“One slip… one flip… and Curly’s whole dream was on the line!” - Year 5 student, Clutha Valley Primary School

Paperback: 237x260mm
Cover: Laminate matt, spot gloss
ISBN: 978-0-473-74549-3

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Curly Cat
NZ$22.60

Curly Cat’s tail is different. He just wants to look ordinary like all the other cats. He tries everything – then he has a great idea ...

Curly Cat is mocked for his super long curly tail and tries to change it with disastrous (and hilarious!) results. His faithful friends try to protect him. But in the end it is an eccentric cat groomer that shows Curly how wonderful his tail really is. Includes quirky cat facts and tips on dealing with bullying.

“One of the picture books of the year. This book will keep youngsters occupied for hours.” more
- Bob Docherty, Bobs Books Blog

“A charming and engaging tale, that celebrates the beauty of diversity and the power of kindness.” - Toni Shanks, Editor, Upstart magazine

"A gem of a picture book ..." more
- Chris Reed, NZ Booklovers

From the author of the award-winning Tales From The Farm picture book series and Zerika van Jaarsveld. Published by Landing Lights Press.

Paperback: 237x260mm
Cover: Laminate matt, spot gloss
ISBN: 978-0-473-58037-7

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I loved my day sleuthing for information on my brother Michael's flying days and topdressing in Hawke's Bay for our next Tales From The Farm book. At the CHB Aero Club club rooms, we found this old photo of Feildair planes. Michael got his first
Feilding Aviation at Bunnythorpe near Palmerston North is where our half-brother Michael (who stars in our next book) followed his dream to become a pilot in the early 1970s. He saved the money by shearing and deer culling. You will meet Michael in
Jennifer doing some 'field research' at CHB Aero Club, Waipukurau for the next Tales From The Farm book. Any guess what it might be about? #newbook #flyinghigh #fieldresearch #childrenspicturebook #farmtales #lightaircraft
A spontaneous detour to check out the tourist destination Arrowtown (sizzling at 30deg plus!) and we found this lovely giftshop; The Gold Nugget. They loved our books and now stock all our Tales From The Farm titles!! #farmtales #touristdestination