NZ Inspired Children's Book Goes On Sale Worldwide
A delightful children's book 'Isabella plays her
cello', written and illustrated in New Zealand, has been
launched for worldwide sale.
Isabella is about the
adventures of young girl who plays her cello, and a small
mouse which enjoys her music.
The stories were written
many years ago by Dunedin-born Evelyn Buchanan, now a
dynamic and lively woman just turned 90. The charming
illustrations are by Barbara Collinson-Smith, who lives in
New Zealand's mid-North Island.
The tales came to light
when Barbara's son, Richard Datson, discovered them stacked
away in his mother's storage.
Richard has commissioned
the printing of 5,000 books featuring four stories, and has
organised their sale on the Kickstarter<https://www.kicktraq.com/projects/isabellaplayscello/isabella-plays-her-cello/>
Internet app.
He said: "I enjoyed hearing these stories
so much as a child that on discovering them I made their
publication my project. My mother has since finished the
illustrations."
Evelyn Buchanan lived internationally
'including New Zealand, during 1950s and 1970s. She has
published short stories and articles in England and New
Zealand.
The genesis of her Isabella stories began while
caring for her husband at home during this final years.
Subsequently Barbara encouraged her to keep writing, and
completed the illustrations.
Isabella was inspired by the
determined personality of her youngest grandchild and the
interplay between her older siblings showing the sharp
contrast of her rampant imagination.
Isabella is now 21,
living in London and still playing the cello.
Barbara
Collinson-Smith lives in a historic village post office
which she restored, in the middle of North Island. A stage
designer and costume designer, she has restored many
historic buildings after returning to NZ from post graduate
studies in the National Theatre of Prague.
In her spare
time she paints in many different mediums and materials that
are both entertaining and fun.
Here's Isabella playing
her cello
https://www.kicktraq.com/projects/isabellaplayscello/isabella-plays-her-cello/
"In
the quiet, dreaming, house,
Isabella plays cello to her
mouse,
every tune she was ever taught.
The mouse
feasts on the crumbs she brought.
A tiny shadow sits and
stays,
entranced, while Isabella plays.
When her music
is all done
Isabella tells the little one:
"Because
you like my music art,
I am calling you,
MOZART."