Local author Marilize Ackermann had children excited at the reading of her new book, Gordon the Garden Pea, at Muizenberg Library on Tuesday 8 August.
The picture book, aimed at children under eight years of age, was illustrated and written by Ackermann and has a positive message attached.
“Gordon the Garden Pea is an illustrated picture book about a pea who loves and accepts himself just as he is,” says Ackermann.
She adds: “Although the readership would be children between zero and eight years, Gordon reminds all of us, irrespective of age, to be grateful and gentle with ourselves. I feel the message of self-acceptance and non-judgment is so important in a time when we are continuously surrounded by comparisons.”
Coming from a human rights background, the idea for the book started taking shape in a notebook during her travels in South Sudan.
“I have a background in human rights law and work for an international humanitarian organisation. My work leads to encounters with interesting characters in unusual places. I jotted the idea of Gordon down in a note book while travelling between Juba and Rumbek in South Sudan, and kept adding characters to the garden as I worked on the drawings later on.”
Over a six months period, Gordon the Garden Pea took shape in a 42-page hardcover book that was published in June.
In the book, the character Gordon realises that he may not be as elegant as other vegetables in the garden.
“Gordon, the main character, is a small, round, green pea who realises that he is not as elegant as some of the other vegetables, and does not have any special skills compared to the animals living in the garden, such as the spider who spins webs or the bees who make honey.
“Nevertheless, with the four natural elements around him, the sun, the air, the water and the earth, he is content with his pea-body, his pea-brain and his pea-heart,” says Ackermann.
While it is the author’s first book there are two more picture books in the pipeline.
“I have been drawing since I was little and finally being able to make a book has brought so much joy and learning.
“As a next step, I am exploring partnerships with community driven initiatives such as animal shelters, community gardens as well as small or independent business owners to distribute and sell the book.”
The book can be found at Mzuri Mamas in Kalk Bay, Obz Books in Observatory and Zoute River Guest House & Garden Farm in Hopefield or alternatively on Takealot.
