They survived the harsh conditions of freezing high attitude desert winters and hot dry summers by following the few river valley floors.

Upon walking over the terrain in many areas beautiful quartz crystal rocks protrude out of the ground.

The whole state is still quite unspoilt and although Taos is a tourist destination for skiing, and Santa Fe a tourist mecca for jewellery and Spanish architecture, most of New Mexico is still “tribal” in the sense of individual clan pueblos (villages) still practising a slower pace of life.

I hope “Mrs Twinkle, New Mexico Here We Come” conveys this alternative way of living and gives the young reader a different perspective from the high rise, fast pace USA, that most people know of and talk about.

Each weekend another Australian and I travelled to The Grand Teton National Park, and then up to Yellowstone National Park.

The Grand Tetons are awe-inspiring with craggy peaks reaching out of clear lakes.  However, it was the beauty of Yellowstone’s wild animals set in rolling mountains, that captured my heart.

The different types of deer, goats, eagles were everywhere.

There are herds of bison (or buffalo) grazing near the sides of roads. We saw two bears – once a grizzly bear on the other side of a river (thank goodness), and another time, a brown bear.

It is wonderful to see these animals roaming freely and protected in the thousands of square miles of the park.

There are guides in the village centres to help parents and children to understand the habits of the wild animals.

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I wrote “Mrs Twinkle Takes Simon to Yellowstone National Park” (Book Two) to convey the need for respect for animals and their environment.

A lot of these species were almost wiped out by shooters and trappers in the nineteenth century. Hence, by children reading this book, they become interested in conservation of our wild animals and the land they live in.

There are a number of village centres where people can stay in cabin or tent accommodation within the park and absorb the atmosphere.

I hope my book whets the appetite of the young, budding naturalist or photographer and gives them respect for our many species of animals on Mother Earth.

Later in the day I was telling a friend about communing with this star and he suggested I write everything down as he could not stop laughing over the dialogue I had.

Hence, Simon appeared as the little sick boy and Mrs Twinkle as the star.

They started their adventures with the intention of seeing how we inter relate with all living beings and the environment.

Simon is taken on a journey up the east coast of Australia then on to Uluru by Mrs Twinkle. As he goes on the trip, his consciousness is expanded and Mrs Twinkle teaches him about the Oneness of All.

The book is also about looking after our environment and our native animals, thus having respect for all living things. The indigenous way of life and the differences in aboriginal culture is touched upon as well in the last chapter (Uluru Dreaming Chapter 6).

The book helps with children’s personal development as Simon is bullied at school.

He learns through his expanded consciousness and wisdom of a “bigger picture” that he can ignore the boys and find new playmates through his own inner strength, which he develops with Mrs Twinkle’s help.

The book brings in environmental studies, e.g. learning about turtles eating plastic bags thrown in the water, about polyps and many sea creatures, koalas and marsupials of Australia.

Rain forests are talked about and also the exchange of energy in hugging trees. There is a magical quality through Simon’s and Mrs Twinkle’s dialogue.

Australian children can relate to it very easily as it is about our environment and even the city (Sydney). It is based on real facts although the characters are fictitious. It is really “fun” and “light” and in keeping with “New Age” consciousness.

Reasonably priced, Hardcover Books are $12.00 and we offer free shipping, and EBooks are priced at $6.00 of which, $1 goes to IFAW (International Fund For Animal Welfare), which looks after many native animals around the world as well as the plight of animals not responsibly looked after.

Education benefits

• Australian animals and marsupials
• Rainforests – carpet snakes
• Sydney Harbour creatures
• Australian Aboriginals
• Barrier Reef

Environmental Issues

• It is light and fun but has a serious message to it
• Look after our environment and animals
• See the wisdom in other cultures
• Expand children’s awareness particularly towards the environment and native animals

Interpersonal Issues

• Don’t let bullying children get you down. See their silliness and stay away
• Treat people of different cultures with respect
• Be responsible with our native animals and environment

Ideal for 5 – 7 year olds, “Mrs Twinkle”, a self published book, is the first in a series by educator and artist, Annabelle Wadsworth.

“Mrs Twinkle” bridges the gap between picture books and young adult fiction.

The imaginative story follows a star and a boy as they travel up the east coast of Australia discovering animals, habitat, our heritage and relationships. Annabelle has also subtly addressed possible solutions for low self esteem through positive reinforcement.

Reasonably priced, Hardcover Books are $12.00 and we offer free shipping, and EBooks are priced at $6.00 of which, $1 goes to IFAW (International Fund For Animal Welfare), which looks after many native animals around the world as well as the plight of animals not responsibly looked after.