Just had a brilliant time at Dymocks Books, Neutral Bay, meeting the lovely locals and signing lots of copies of Anzac Ted 10th Anniversary Edition and Once I was Loved. Special thanks to Gina, Marci, Charlie and of course EK Books.
Just had a brilliant time at Dymocks Books, Neutral Bay, meeting the lovely locals and signing lots of copies of Anzac Ted 10th Anniversary Edition and Once I was Loved. Special thanks to Gina, Marci, Charlie and of course EK Books.
One of the best parts of being an author/illustrator is meeting so many fellow book lovers! Here’s the two Teds, me and Tock at Berkelouw bookstore Hornsby, signing lots of copies of Anzac Ted 10th Anniversary Edition and Once I was Loved. A big thank you to Ally and her team and EK Books.
Kids’ Book Review has just released a beautiful review of my latest children’s book: Once, I was Loved.
“Children will associate emotions tied to their favourite toys with Tock’s story. They may even question what these world events are about and seek to learn more about the history that built their world. There are endless possibilities hidden in this well-constructed and beautifully illustrated book.”
Once, I was Loved is available to purchase now at local bookstores, on amazon, booktopia and at EK books website!
“Sometimes, the voices from the past are yearning to be heard.”
So excited to be working with EK Books once again, to launch my much-awaited second book, Once, I was Loved.
An old toy rabbit finds himself in a box of toys donated to charity. “But it wasn’t always this way,” Tock reflects sadly, “Once, I was loved.”
From World War II to Rock ‘n’ Roll, from the Moon Landing to the Hippie Movement and the birth of the Internet, this is the story of the children who loved Tock across the decades.
A celebration of the timelesss nature of love set against the backdrop of iconic moments of the 20th century, this heart-warming story will resonate with anyone who has ever cherished a childhood toy.
As for the idea behind Once, I was Loved, well as usual, it came to me when I least expected it.
I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to being fascinated by toys. They call to me.
I’ve always been fascinated in Op Shops and as I wandered the cluttered aisles, I ponder the stories behind so many pre-loved treasures. An old wooden rocking horse, a retro metallic robot, and a china-faced doll were all looking for new homes. As I sorted through the toy box, questions started tugging at my sleeve: How many children had these toys loved… and lost? What iconic moments in history had they seen? Whose hands – and hearts – had they held?
And the seed for Once, I was Loved was planted.
If you ask, most adults will freely – though somewhat sheepishly – admit to still owning a cherished childhood toy. I love that. After all, toys are a gentle reminder of the child in us all.