The Crossing launch success
Writer and illustrator Michelle O'Connell with the mayors of Masterton Lyn Patterson and South Wairarapa Adrienne Staples at the launch of her new book The Crossing published by BMS Books.
The mayors congratulated Michelle for her work in highlighting World War One historical events in their region in an attractive way for children.
The Crossing follows on from the earlier book Leaving for the Front. The Crossing focusses on the centenary commerations held to remember the thousands of soldiers who marched across the Rimutaka Range from Featherston, where they initially training, to Trentham, where they were based before being sent to fight.
Michelle participated in the commerative walk across the Rimutakas, following in the footsteps of her great-grandfather. Like leaving for the Front, the Crossing is from the point of view of one of her two sons, who awaits his mother's arrival home and dreams of how she is faring.
This technique, also used in Leaving for the Front, has proved popular with children and has seen the book purchased by schools wishing to widen their pupils' understanding of these historic events.