After years of dreaming about becoming a children’s author, Eastern Bay writer Abby Williamson has finally brought her first book to life – a charming Kiwi tale celebrating adventure, bravery and the outdoors.

If I was Lost, illustrated by Suzie Devlin and self-published by Williamson, follows a young girl imagining what she would do if she became lost in the bush.

From foraging food to sleeping beside possums and climbing towering rimu trees, the story captures the wonder and imagination of childhood adventures in nature.

Williamson said the idea came during a late-night conversation with her husband, Shae Williamson, who is known for his bushcraft skills and popular YouTube channel Keeping it Wild.

The couple had recently welcomed their third daughter – a baby Williamson describes as a “night owl” – and were awake late discussing some of the unusual foods Shae had eaten while surviving in the bush.

“I said to him, ‘This would make a really fun children’s book’,” she said.

“The next day I started writing. The first part of the story was based around all these random things he’d eaten while out in the bush.”

Williamson soon realised she wanted the story to carry a deeper message than simply bush survival.

“Once I came up with the line, ‘I knew just what to do,’ everything changed,” she said.

“It became more about self-belief and bravery – a child trusting themselves and not being afraid.”

Though some scenes are inspired by real-life bush adventures, the story also embraces imaginative touches, including building huts, sleeping beside possums, and navigating through the forest canopy.

The book follows the young character as she confidently finds her way home, relying on courage and resourcefulness along the journey.

Williamson said choosing a girl as the central character was important to her as the mother of three daughters.

“Bush stories are often very boy-focused and stereotypical,” she said, adding that she wanted girls to see themselves as brave and capable too.

Writing has long been part of Williamson’s life.

She remembers creating her first children’s book at the age of 12 and declaring she would one day become a published author.

“I’ve always loved writing – diaries, blogs, poetry, song lyrics,” she said.

Over the years, she submitted manuscripts to publishers but struggled to secure a deal.

With If I was Lost, she decided to self-publish and has loved having full creative control over the project.

The book is aimed primarily at children aged up to eight, although Williamson said older children have also been enjoying the story.

She is already well into writing a second book, The Rising Water, another outdoor adventure story, and hopes sales from her debut will help fund its publication.

If I was Lost is available for $29 through Instagram: whispersbyabby.

Book Giveaway

■ The Beacon is giving away a copy of Abby Williamson’s book If I was Lost. Email [email protected] with “If I was Lost” in the subject line to enter. Entries close Tuesday, May 26, at noon. The winner will be notified by email and can collect the book from The Beacon reception.