Have you ever wondered what the animals in your garden are thinking? What their little lives might be like?

Local author Diann Rodgers-Healey has and she's bringing that imagination, curiosity, and creativity to her children’s books.

Diann is a dreamer first and an author second, sharing her sense of wonder with everyone she meets.

She has written several books, but her personal passion project is Shirley’s Imaginarium, a series about a gardener named Shirley and the world of animals that live in her yard.

Next Tuesday (7 October), from 10am to 11:30 am, Diann will be reading from one of her books, “When Mr Toad Wanted Everyone To Notice Spring in the Garden”, at Gerringong Library and Museum (GLaM) - followed by a fun decorating session in the new herb garden.

Speaking about the book, Diann described how Mr Toad becomes enchanted by the beauty of spring and frustrated that the other animals don't seem to notice.

“What afterall is a garden like in spring?” she explained, is the question Mr Toad asks as he launches a garden contest, hoping to get others to stop and pay attention.

But, as she noted, “no one's interested,” with the animals “just doing business as usual” - foraging, and going about their day.

By the end, Mr Toad's perspective shifts, thanks to Miss Kookaburra, who helps him see that the point isn’t to simply observe nature, but to live in it.

“He learns the lesson that it’s not about observing,” Dianne said, “it’s actually about being in it and living in the garden.”

The story gently encourages kids (and adults) to connect with nature by appreciating the quiet moments and little corners that are easy to miss.

Make sure to bring the kids along for this magical reading and a chance to get hands-on in the garden.

To learn more about Diann, check out her work here - https://animaginarium.com.