About the book

“The Lighthouse Princess” is a vibrant modern fairytale, about a lighthouse-keeper princess who rescues a boy in a storm. The story plays out in a cosy but fantastical setting; celebrating independence and friendship, with magical and award-winning illustrations.

More on the Penguin website.

Reviews

“The Lighthouse Princess is a perfect book. […] All by itself this book is enough to shore up my faith in our children’s publishing industry. The story is put together with tenderness and zing and a poet’s ear – it’s a delight to read aloud, even when you’ve already read it aloud 39 times in the space of four days” – Catherine Woulfe, The Spinoff (read the full review here”

“”I think it will be a complete timeless classic… it’s a winner on all fronts” – Joanna Ludbruck, for RNZ (listen to the full review here)

“The Lighthouse Princess is the most scintillating picture book I have read in ages. […] Each page is a picnic spot of delight, the words reverberate and the illustrations gift intricate visual layers. […] The Lighthouse Princess is an altogether breathtaking heartwarming exquisite hug of a book. Sublimely written. Sublimely illustrated. I adore it.” – Paula Green, PoetryBox (read the full review here)

“This is a princess story for everyone and anyone can take joy from its message. The perfect companion for snuggling up on the sofa and reading together, this is a thoroughly modern fairytale for anyone who has ever wanted to just be themselves.” – Katie for Kidsspot (read the full review here)

Accolades

The Lighthouse Princess received a Notable Book Award from Storylines in 2022

In 2022 The Lighthouse Princess was also voted one of the Whitcoull’s Kid’s Top 50.

About the process

In 2019 my manuscript was selected to be used as part of the Storylines Gavin Bishop Award for Illustrators. This competition was used to select an illustrator for the book, from a range of entries around the country, all by previously unpublished illustrators. .

In 2020 the winner of the award was announced; the extremely talented Rose Northey, a Wellington-based illustrator and poet

The book was launched at a Storylines event, in early April 2022

Relevant links…

Upcoming projects

Tia lives on the back of a giant tortoise, moving through a great, green valley. Until one day, a mysterious trumpet call changes everything…

Tia and the Tortoises is a gentle junior fantasy podcast… providing a sensitive allegory for trauma, and the many paths that healing and connection can take.