A touching tale of what a grandparent is, or can be in modern times, The Nearby Nanna is an uplifting story about finding family where you least expect it.
The Nearby Nanna is the first book written by Gin Gin’s Lauren Corvino, which is based on her family’s personal experience through Covid-19 regulations and lockdowns.
The tale is inspired by Lauren’s daughter Lucinda, who struggled with the distance imposed on her and her grandparents.
“I wrote the book for my daughter at the height of the lockdowns,” Lauren said.
“Both mine and my partner's families are interstate and overseas.
“My partner's parents had booked a trip here and it was cancelled due to border closures.
“My daughter, 5 years old at the time, was absolutely devastated, as you can imagine.”
Lauren said it was then she started to float the idea of ‘what if they had a nanna nearby?'.
From there she started to craft the touching story to be told through an illustrated children’s book.
Inspired by their personal journey, Lauren said one of the main characters in the book, Rose, was based on a few different women the Gin Gin family was lucky to have in their lives.
“Lucinda's grandmothers both live far away and she misses them dearly,” she said.
“One day she decides she needs a Nanna who can be there when she needs her. Is Rose that special someone for Lucinda and her brother, Winston?
“Not her actual grandmother, but maybe someone who is geographically closer to us who is like family.”
With a background in teaching, Lauren said The Nearby Nanna was the first book she had penned, and now it was published it was a dream come true.
“I have been a primary and secondary school English teacher for the last twenty years but have always dreamed of writing a book since I was young,” she said.
“I self- published the book. I had several offers from different publishing companies, but unfortunately if you are an unknown author the financial layout can be huge, so I decided to self-publish as I thought I could do it more economically and have absolute control over the project.
“My mum, Jo Ann, absolutely loved the story, I was able to send her an electronic copy for her birthday before the first print. She said it brought tears to her eyes when she was reading it, as she had always encouraged me to pursue writing as a career.
“Elaine, my partner's mum, loved the book too and ordered 4 copies for family and friends, as soon as they were available.”
The Nearby Nanna is available locally at The Book Boutique on Bourbong Street, Dymocks in Bundaberg and The Gin Gin Courthouse Gallery, and online here or internationally via Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
“I will be doing a book launch and author reading at The Book Boutique on Bourbong Street on the 30 April at 10 am,” Lauren said.
“I will also be doing some author meet and greets at all of the Bundaberg Libraries.”
Bundaberg Regional Libraries author talks:
Gin Gin: 10.30 am Monday 16 May
Bundaberg: 10 am Monday 23 May
Childers: 10 am Friday 3 June
To book your spot phone 4130 4135.
