Former primary school teacher and community worker Margeret Lester changed direction in 2006, completing a Master of Journalism at Wollongong University in the hope of pursuing her interest in writing.

The Gerringong resident is now an author and publisher following the release of her first book.

She engaged award-winning Kiama artist Lexie Watt to illustrate the book, “Meg’s Farm, Alice learns to ride her pony.”

A book launch was held at the Gerringong Library this week. Adults and children in attendance were impressed with the realistic illustrations and from learning that the story was based on real events on a local farm.

The book features Meg, a 22-year old Irish Connemara Pony, two alpacas, a flock of Angora goats and their kids, a herd of cows and their calves, and lots of chickens, living happily on Meg’s Farm.

The animals and humans all communicate with each other, expressing their feelings and opinions, engaging in a similar way to the characters in “Charlotte’s Web”.

Margaret hopes the book will encourage primary school aged children, living in urban and rural areas, to enjoy reading about farm animals and life on a farm, a familiar scene for some children and completely new to others.

The children, Alice and Ben, have daily farm chores. Ben feeds his chickens and collects their eggs.

Alice feeds her baby Angora kid goats a bottle of milk every morning and afternoon. Alice is determined to ride Meg all over the farm on her own and can’t stop smiling when she is allowed to round up the alpacas on Meg for shearing.

Meg doesn’t think she is too old to continue competing in dressage and cross country events with Clare. Farmer Tom looks after all the farm animals.

Self-publishing is challenging. Margaret used Adobe InDesign to produce her book and chose to have it printed locally at Worldwide Shellharbour in Oak Flats rather than sending it overseas.

She hopes to publish three more stories next year.

Enquiries: [email protected]

We want to hear from you - Take The Bugle survey here