"I had my own children and told them the stories. They then said to me I should write a book, and so I did."
The stories, which tell of May's turn-of-the-century pioneer-life in NZ, proved incredibly popular, read in classrooms around the country.
Over the years, Phyllis has visited more than 250 schools as part of the writers in schools programme, and it was a school visit that inspired republication of the series, first printed in 1980.
"Many years ago, I visited a school far from any town, out in the King Country, and met a young teacher. She and I just really connected. Then this year, many years later, I received a letter from the children at Omata School asking me to come and visit them because they were enjoying reading my books. When I got there, I met that same teacher again.
It made me realise my book had inspired so many children. I had closed the door on my writing career, but now realised the stories of May were still relevant today, and so here we are today with new copies of May's story."
The teacher Phyllis talks about is Kelly Madden and she came to the book launch with some of the pupils who had read No One Went To Town with her.
"The books aren't just for girls. They have lots of action in them. I like reading about May's brothers best," says Brayden Duggan, 9, one of the Omata School pupils who enjoyed reading the books. He says the books have plenty of adventures to appeal to both boys and girls.
Classmate Ella James (8) agrees and says May's story is interesting because it gives a glimpse into life in New Zealand many years ago.
"It is easier to be a child growing up in New Zealand now I think. Back then children did a lot more work. They had less time to play or relax."
Speaking at the relaunch, Phyllis' daughter Mary Johnston said she remembered travelling to Stratford with her mother in 1977 for a research tour as May had lived at Taihore for some of her childhood.
May and her family later moved away from the area to Piopio, and things have now come full circle, says Phyllis, with May's great granddaughter Nia Chesswas moving to Taranaki when she married her husband.
"I remember Nia calling me one evening and telling me she was getting married to Allan, who lived in the valley just next to where May had lived, all those years ago."