Group of young authors making waves
When Inglewood Primary School’s Rock Pool Writers Collective issues a personal handwritten invitation to their book launch, you don’t turn it down.
The three 7-year-olds, and two nearly 8-year-olds, who make up the collective are otherwise known as Olivia Beasenman, Grayson Young, Daxtyn Ferguson, Alice Williams and Indigo Feasey.
Their first book – Pincer’s New Shell Home – was launched to a hungry audience of readers, including the editor of the
at the Inglewood Primary School library on Thursday.
The illustrated book is already making waves on the local scene, with award-winning Taranaki author David Hill, who unfortunately could not be at the launch in person, praising the collective for the speed and humour of their story.
‘‘I did enjoy the character Pincer,’’ he said through the book’s chief instigator Robin Drake. ‘‘The readers will feel for him and cheer for him.’’
In a crab shell, the plot revolves around a hermit crab in search of a new home. Spoiler alert – it has a bit of a racy ending.
Drake, a literacy volunteer at the school, helped guide the collective from their idea through to published reality, and was full of praise for her young authors.
‘‘I think I could herd a flock of sheep easier than rounding up some of you kids,’’ she said as she received a bouquet of flowers in thanks for all her work. ‘‘But you know what, you’re worth it.’’
Author Grayson Young, who has a birthday in August, so you could basically say he is 8, said he was already working on his second book.
‘‘I’m writing it at home. It’s about dinosaurs that are going on an adventure,’’ he said. It also involves a crystal, some evil and a quest to get back home.
Fellow author Daxtyn Ferguson, also pretty much 8, said he especially enjoyed the rock pool field work the book involved.
But just to be clear, he’s not a big seafood fan. ‘‘Just prawns and fish,’’ he said.
For those interested in buying a copy of Pincer’s New Shell Home, email office@inglewood.school.nz.