WHEN tough health challenges led to medical retirement from her 30-year career in nursing and midwifery, Coffs Harbour’s Donna Houghton turned to thinking about her bucket list.
Leaping out from the list was to write and publish a children’s book.
So, she did.
Today it is written, illustrated and published and Ms Houghton is happy to say she is a published children’s book author and illustrator.
“Whilst I was off work unwell in 2024, I wrote the story for a children’s book called ‘Gilligan – the rescue bunny’, aimed towards the four- to seven-years old age group,” she told News Of The Area.
During the past year she completed all the illustrations for the book.
Despite having absolutely no idea about book publishing, she had a friend who did.
“A friend of mine, Dr Jodi-Maree Cronin, who recently published her own autobiography, as well as two children’s books, introduced me to the two most wonderful people: Roxanne McCarty-O’Kane – a writing mentor, and Sylvie Blair – the CEO of BookPOD; their knowledge, experience, and help was beyond amazing,” Ms Houghton said.
Unlocking the creative path to write, illustrate, and publish her first children’s book was a transformative journey – one that was equal parts exhilarating, gruelling, and deeply eye-opening, she said.
“Moving a concept entirely out of my head and shaping it into a physical object I could hold in my hands made me feel profoundly alive, vulnerable, and ultimately victorious,” she said.
“I discovered that I am far more resilient than I thought.”
Between formatting glitches, creative blocks, and software frustrations, she had countless moments where she could have quit.
“Instead, I pushed through, proving my mental strength.”
Holding the first physical copy of her book was an unforgettable, tear-jerking milestone that she said she will never forget.
“It felt like bringing a piece of my soul into the physical world,” she said.
She described the beginning, the process, as feeling a bit like a new relationship – filled with intense excitement, hope, and a healthy dose of naivety.
“As I progressed, the act of ‘thinking in pictures’ shifted my perspective,” she said.
“I stopped just looking at the world and started paying attention to how a single page turn or a shift in colour could evoke joy, curiosity, or comfort in a young child.
“Unlocking this path felt like reclaiming my sense of wonder and realising that I have the power to shape how the next generation experiences the world.”
In writing the story Donna wanted to transform her traumatic health experience into a gentle, meaningful children’s book.
“Turning my suffering into an act of love.
“Telling myself – and my young readers – that healing is possible after feeling hurt and lost,” she said.
When she was lying in hospital in 2024, she began formulating the idea of the book and set the framework, which served her well.
“I wanted to concentrate on basic English, as well as basic real-life bunny care, with the focus on the transition from abandonment to unconditional love,” Ms Houghton said.
The structural outline of her book was designed to gently guide a young reader from isolation into the warmth of a forever home.
“First, I identified my target age group, then once I had my initial spark, I broke the process down into clear, manageable stages that helped me to transform a vague concept into a finished manuscript.
“The illustrations evolved from a slight thought that perhaps I could do it, rather than hiring an illustrator; even though I had never done anything like this before.”
The book is available to order on Amazon and other online bookshops.
By Andrea FERRARI
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
