Emilio Hovell isn't a rugby brat or an avid All Blacks fan but meeting Keven Mealamu was top priority when the All Blacks hooker visited the Whangarei Hospital Children's Ward.
The 12-year-old Parua Bay School student, and an in-patient at the children's ward, joined others his age for a "how todraw" session with Mealamu yesterday.
Mealamu illustrates Barfoot and Thompson's story books each year as its Magic of Reading ambassador and hosted a reading and drawing session in the ward's playroom.
Emilio looked visibly uninterested and when asked about his drawing skills, he said: "Don't really like colouring."
But he thought Mealamu was "cool" and said he looked forward to meeting him.
Patients, visitors and staff thronged the playroom to catch a glimpse of Mealamu and to chat with him.
He has so far illustrated two books - Room 22 and Jumbo, the Monster Caterpillar by Auckland-based Colwill School students and The Weather Fish by 2009 winners from Ahipara School - with the third due for publication next month.
Both titles have raised $60,000 for the Starship Foundation.
Art has been a major part of Mealamu's life and he said there was nothing more pleasing than putting a smile on people's faces.
"Being a parent myself, it's good to know that our kids are always well looked after and encouraged," said the softly spoken rugby veteran.
"They [kids] are always in and out of the hospital and some of them don't know how long they'll be here for so encouragement is important."
Some of the books illustrated by Mealamu are also provided to Starship Children's Health Ward and Whangarei Hospital's Children's Ward to be given to young patients who stay overnight to read and take home.
Commenting briefly on his professional career, he's optimistic of overcoming a calf muscle injury and making the All Black's end-of-the-season tour of Europe.
