Art and author light up Kaikohe

Author Emily Glew with Far North District Council CEO Shaun Clarke, who wasn't going to miss the chance to grab a signed copy of her book.

Kaikohe's Spirit of Kaikohe art exhibition got way to a great start last week, even featuring a local author, who took the opportunity to conduct her first public book signing.

Emily Glew produced the children's book I Love Swimming as part of her NorthTec writing course, although she made a number of changes to the original before looking for a publisher, who came up with the illustrations, according to her very clear instructions.

Sally Macauley had no trouble recognising herself in Lyn Whittaker's portrait.

The book is now selling online (for $39), but Emily was offering a special launch price on Friday, with the aim of getting it out into the community.

I Love Swimming is based on a real-life experience and is about a tomboyish young girl who loves swimming and thinks of herself as one of the boys, and has always worn boardshorts, with no top, like all her friends.

The story is narrated by the child, who enjoys a variety of swimming adventures, until her gender is revealed, and her school insists that she must wear 'girl togs.'

Aged about 6 or 7, not quite a child but not quite an older child either, she has to deal with a time of transition that has arrived before she is aware of it, or ready for it.

Her school is governed by stricter social rules, which creates conflict for her.

Emily now has a second book in mind, and is trying to interest a publisher first. My Fishing Rod will be based on her and her son's personal experiences about the absence (and death) of a father.

Publishers were not especially enthusiastic about "realistic" books of that nature, she said, despite the genre's popularity with young library borrowers, so she was expecting a challenge.

Her goal was to produce a book that would help families who shared her experience to understand they were not alone.

The Spirit of Kaikohe, which also features an array of work by more than 50 local artists, from paintings and sculptures to knitwear, will remain on display on Broadway through to Sunday week (July 9), with an admission cost of $5.