A journey that began 16 years ago as a way to get her own son interested in reading has now arrived in local bookshops in the form of The Waterhole, by Glen Innes author Suzanne Springborg.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Waterhole is the first in a series of four books – corresponding with the seasons – that Suzanne said was inspired by watching her sons and their mates playing around waterholes in Wallangarra where they lived at the time.
“The book is aimed at eight to 10-year-olds, but even 14-year-olds are enjoying it,” she said.
“I’ve even had people buy it for their grandkids but instead hang onto it so they can read it themselves.”
She feels it’s the level of detail in the story that attracts readers of all ages, describing four mischievous water sprites (they’re male fairies, for the uninitiated) who have lots of escapades.
Their environment is described in detail, right down to a map of the waterhole and its environs so readers can easily keep track of where they are.
The book first came off the presses on January 30 this year, self-published through InHouse Publishing whom Suzanne said have been very supportive through the process.
Suzanne is a carer for disabled children, and this first book is dedicated to one of her clients.
She hopes the next book in the series will be available by October – in time for Christmas shopping – and eventually aims to make the whole series available.
She is also responsible for producing the bright artwork that illustrates the stories.
“The kids recognise the characters and get to know them,” she said.
“With the map as reference, they also know where they live.”
Suzanne said there is a bit of a moral to the story, in that it’s best not to be rushing around all the time.
There are also lots of positive reinforcements in the detailed stories, and the books are divided into chapters to make them easy to digest.
“It’s all about encouraging kids into reading,” Suzanne said.
“When my son was growing up, there were not a lot of adventures stories around.”
Suzanne said she’s has endeavoured to keep the cover price low at $16 to make it affordable, and there is an e-book version in the pipeline.
In the meantime The Waterhole is available for purchase at Schafers Newagency in Glen Innes and at Sullivans Newsagency in Tenterfield, as well as at TNT Fitness and the Wallangarra Post Office.
It can also be found in school libraries around the country, and there’s a copy at the Glen Innes library for borrowing.
