A mother of three turns her dream of publishing her first children’s book into a reality

BEING in love with children’s literature and having three boys aged four and under were the motivations for Riverstone mother Martina Voorwinden to publish her first book.

Riverstone mother of three and first time children's book author Martina Voorwinden at home with her three boys, just as her book Ollie Can't Sleep is about to hit the book shelves. Boys L-R: Michael 3, Jonathan 1 and Daniel 4. Photo: Adam Ward

BEING in love with children’s literature and having three boys aged four and under were the motivations for Riverstone mother Martina Voorwinden to publish her first book.

Mrs Voorwinden – mother to four-year-old Daniel, three-year-old Michael and 15-month-old Jonathan – has been a teacher for 15 years.

Called Ollie Can’t Sleep, the self-published book is based on Daniel’s struggle with nightmares.

“Ollie can’t sleep, his mind is full of scary thoughts and the more he tries to make them go away, the more they insist on staying,’’ she said.

“Ollie Can’t Sleep is the journey from fear to a place of peace and security.”

Mrs Voorwinden independently sourced her illustrator by researching online artist networks from around the world and coming across Matto Haq from Japan.

“I can sketch a bit and it was really good to see my ideas for the pictures in the book come alive with Matto’s help,” she said.

Mrs Voorwinden has two more books in the works, called Ollie’s Box Rocks and Ollie is an Artist.

On Saturday, Mrs Voorwinden will be signing copies of Ollie Can’t Sleep at Dymocks Rouse Hill from 10am to noon.

You can order a copy through Martina Voorwinden Books on Facebook, by calling 0410 810 226 or going on potentialcoaching.com.au.