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For children coping with the loss of a beloved grandparent, a locally crafted picture book will soon be available to guide them through grief with gentle words and moving illustrations.
Kuia and Her Pounamu tells the heartfelt story of Rosie, a young girl who finds herself unable to create stories after her kuia (grandmother) passes away. At the heart of the tale is the treasured pounamu, a greenstone symbolising spiritual connection, which helps Rosie hold onto the bond she shared with her kuia.
The book was created in Mangawhai by author Lorraine Brockbank and artist Alix St Clair, with typesetting by local designer Janine Brougham. It will be officially launched at Mangawhai Library Hall on September 25.
The collaboration began earlier this year after a chance encounter at the Mangawhai Monday Art Group’s annual exhibition. While wandering through the display, Brockbank was struck by St Clair’s portrait of Māori activist Eva Rickard.
“As soon as I saw it, I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, that’s my kuia!’” Brockbank recalls.
Although the manuscript was written years ago and even won a competition at the Hibiscus Coast Writing Club, Brockbank struggled to secure a publisher and put the story aside – until that meeting reignited her vision.
St Clair, known locally for her striking mosaic guitar artwork, took on the challenge of illustrating the book. While she enjoyed the process, she admits one aspect proved tricky.
“The biggest challenge has been drawing all the spiders,” she laughs. “I’m not very keen on them, and now my phone is full of spider images from Pinterest!”
Brockbank, an international school teacher who has worked in Chile, Japan, the UK and the Maldives, says her experiences with children around the world showed her how deeply grief can affect young lives.
“Children need support when something tragic like that happens,” she says. “It’s a difficult concept for them to grasp when a beloved grandparent is suddenly gone.”
The symbolic use of pounamu came from a suggestion by Brockbank’s son, inspired by a gift she once received from her own children.
“Every time I wear it, they are in my thoughts,” she says. “It seemed the perfect symbol of a relationship that thrives even after a loved one has passed.”
The creators will share the story behind their moving new book at the community launch of Kuia and Her Pounamu at Mangawhai Library Hall on September 25, starting at midday.
