Indian Squid

When winds blew stronger and seas became stormy out in the Indian Ocean, we often found tiny Indian Squid on the deck. It’s amazing to think that thousands of kilometres from land, in the deep waters of the ocean, it’s possible to find these tiny creatures surviving. Those squid we found were about 10cm in […]

Make a Stuffed Squid
Make a Squid

FUN FACT Did you know that squids have 3 hearts?

What people are saying about A Day on the Brine?

I am filled with awe at the wonderful 5-star reviews A Day on the Brine is receiving and thank you all for your support. ‘A Day on the Brine is a charming, rhythmic journey through the ocean’s wonders, seen through the eyes of a curious captain and the creatures she encounters on her voyage. With lyrical, […]

The Diary: A Day on the Brine

Follow the diary detailing the events taking place as A Day on the Brine comes to life. April 11th, 2025 A Day on the Brine has received a 5-star review from Literary Titan. ‘A Day on the Brine is a charming, rhythmic journey through the ocean’s wonders, seen through the eyes of a curious captain and […]

New Story Coming

If someone had said to me September 2023, I would begin writing a non Big Blue Boat sailing story, I would have laughed them out the room … One foggy morn … What is happening to make our frog look so worried? Diary March 15th 2025 After almost eight months of effort, Patricia completed the […]

Books for Teachers

I am proud to be part of an exciting new initiative created by Australian author, Frances MacKay: Books For Teachers. We are a group of independent publishers and authors. Many of us have been, or still are, teachers. Books for Teachers contains a collection of books and resources created by 36 Australian children’s authors. Our […]

A Big Blue Boat Prequel

A Big Blue Boat Prequel underway. My Diary In May students at my Author Pen Pal school provided me with an idea, rhyming words, and a setting. The rest is history … This year, I am fortunate to be an Author Pen Pal for an amazing group of children and their incredible teacher-librarian. Back in […]

Reading Aloud

Today, people often see reading aloud as a boring chore and a waste of time, but a plethora of studies highlight how important it is – and not for just beginning readers, but for adults, too. Image from clipart-library.com Before Books Before books became affordable to the populace, stories were told through the art of […]

Carry on Mr Bowditch

Author: Jean Lee Latham Publisher:: Houghton Mifflin Year: 2003 Image: cover from 1st Edition Jean Lee Latham’s ‘Carry on Mr Bowditch’ is based on the real life of Nathaniel Bowditch. Nathaniel loved the sea and spent 5 voyages at sea. A self-educated man – his education finished when he was 10 – his thirst for […]