Farmyard Idol a new offering from authors

Writer Angie Belcher and illustrator Debbie Tipuna have a new book in bookstores now - The Farmyard Idol.

American Idol meets noises from the farm in Angie Belcher and Debbie Tipuna's new book The Farmyard Idol.

Who makes the best animal sound? All will be revealed in the highly visual, interactive picture book published by Purple Chicken Press.

The Farmyard Idol takes children on a sing-song reading journey of animal antics which accumulates into a medley of farmyard noises to thrill young ears.

"There's that repetition so children can pick it up easily," artist/illustrator Debbie says.
The A4 picture book leaves spaces for young readers to complete the illustrations and is the first in a series named the Read and Colour Collection.

Purple Chicken Press is the brainchild of Angie and Debbie. This is their second publication together - The Girls in the Kapahaka 2005 was very successful.

It's the culmination of a big year for both artists. Debbie was selected for the 2017 Rotorua Museum Art Awards and has recently returned from a three-month art residency in Irsina, Italy, after being named recipient of the Tautoko Maori Foundation Art Residency.

Both women were in Italy at the same time so used the opportunity to produce an Italian version of the book Cercasi un Idolo Del Cortile which is currently under consideration by an Italian distributor.

The Farmyard Idol is the second book released by Angie this year, following on from Helping Harmony - There's More Than One Way to Save a Whale, a junior fiction novel with an environmental theme.

The pair have been busy reading The Farmyard Idol to primary schools across the Bay, judging writing competitions and guest speaking at various events before they head to Auckland for more guest appearances and storytelling slots.