For Hawke's Bay teacher and author Bruce Tregonning, his fourth book completes a full age-range target he has long wanted to fulfil.
Titled Daring Gecko it is a simple and colourfully illustrated tale created in a pre-schooler format - although he said the seven to nine-year-olds were also still likely to get something out of it.
And even older readers described it as a "powerful analogy" for those seeking meaning in their lives.
The little green gecko at the heart of the story embarks on what could be seen as an 'OE' experience of life - complete with ups and down, happiness and some sadness.
He said like in all good tales there are "heroes and villains" and in this tale it is the "cheeky skink" who delivers the mischief and trouble.
The book, which is set to be formally released at the Hastings Library on November 21 at 10.30am, wraps up the quartet of books with the "dare" theme.
He wrote Dare to Be a Boy for older children on the verge of teenagehood, and Dare to Escape (his first with a gecko character ) for children six years and upwards.
Then he delivered the novel Dare to Runaway Home for more adult readers as it was about a person's spiritual awakening.
And now it is the time for the pre-schoolers to engage in a "gecko tale".
Mr Tregonning has long been fascinated by the life of the gecko, and about 12 years ago received permission from the Department of Conservation to be a licensed holder to breed them. He works as a receiving primary school teacher, and children at many Hawke's Bay schools know him as 'the gecko man' as he often takes a couple along to tell the youngsters all about their unique lives.