Olivia Coates is an early childhood professional who is passionate about the role of the natural environment in education and care for young children. Since the beginning of her teaching career in 2005, Olivia has secured numerous garden grants for local kindergartens and schools, and worked closely with organisations who provide supported employment for people with a disability. The projects targeted better access, inclusion and connection.
She adores visiting these gardens now and seeing children immersed in play amongst nature, growing and harvesting vegetables, feeding chickens and collecting eggs, learning the names and traditional uses of plants. The sense of community that grows from these experiences – that’s the magic. It shows that investing a little bit of time really can have a lasting impact.
Rosie’s Garden is Olivia’s second picture book, following her debut Shadow Wall (Ethicool Books, 2023).
Olivia lives in Allestree, Australia, on a dairy farm with her husband, two children, two dogs, a cat, lots of chickens, a family of huntsmans, and two very naughty goats named Hansel and Gretel.
Samantha McLelland is a freelance illustrator and former school art teacher. When she is not drawing, Samantha enjoys pottery, spin class, cooking, reading, and exploring the beautiful New England outdoors.
Samantha lives in Lexington, Massachusetts with her husband and two children.
