Willow the Wonderer

Willow the Wonderer

Reeta Dhar & Darren Pryce

Willow the Wonderer is an enchanting new picture book about the search for happiness.

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Written in rhyme, the melodious stanzas take us on an enchanting a journey through the natural world, exploring many wonderous places and discovering many marvellous creatures. 

The beautifully crafted imagery draws young readers in, as they seek out and count the many creatures that Willow meets that day.

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It's the perfect book to  learn new words and numbers whilst planting a seed of wisdom on happiness.

Bill Wood

Grandad to Ariel

"My three year old grandson Ariel loved the menagerie of hidden animals interspersed amongst the pages. "Read it again Poppa please" was the message repeated again and again."

May Lam

Mum to Mia and Teddy

"I wish I met Willow the Wonderer when I was young. The revelation of the story gave me warm and fuzzy sensation with tears of joy. This is not just a book but a gift to us all. I encourage all kids and parents/carers to read it together, share the thoughts, have a genuine conversation and grow wisdom together."

Angela Linus

Mum to Anna and Maddy

"A beautifully illustrated story book to teach children new words and numbers, with wise as rhymes and a wonderful lesson for all ages."

Gerard Gonzales

Uncle extraordinaire

“I love the "where's Wally" vibe when looking for animals in the illustrations, lol”

Paola Raffinetti

Mum to Mia

"Oh it's beautiful! Gorgeous illustrations and a warm and creative narrative. I love it. I truly think it's special. I'll be the first in line for a hardcopy!"

Kevin Boyd

Myle's dad

"You've encapsulated the imagination of endless possibility."

Reeta & Darren

story makers

During a walk at the beach one afternoon, Reeta and Darren realised they shared a wish to write stories that planted seeds of wisdom in young minds; stories they wish they had grown up with. Darren threw in an idea he conceived a long time ago about Willow, a child who wanders from home searching for happiness. They both felt in Willow a kindred spirit. Over the ensuing months and many lively conversations, sketches and drafts later, the idea grew into a story. Reeta wrote the words and Darren drew the pictures. Thus, Willow the Wonderer was born.

Reeta Dhar

writer

Reeta grew up surrounded by stories; tales from the olden days her grannies used to tell, scary stories that her siblings would share, legends about ancient yogis her dad read aloud, Bollywood films her mum rented and stories from all the glorious books she read.

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Stories became her doorway into a world of imagination that enthralled, enticed and enchanted in equal measure. They inspired her to travel, climb mountains, do yoga, meditate and seek out the magic in life.

Reeta’s career has been in business strategy but writing was always something she was going to do. In this first book, she brings together her love of rhyme and the natural world with life's little lessons she has learnt along the way.

Darren Pryce

illustrator

Darren started drawing before he started walking, or so the story goes. He was the quiet one in the family who spent all his time drawing at the kitchen table; his uncle was surprised to find out that he even had legs!

It was no surprise however that he pursued studies in design and a career as an illustrator, art director and contemporary artist. A classically trained painter with expertise in digital media, Darren seamlessly combines the two disciplines in his craft.

Darren has for many years gazed into clouds, fire and other natural landscapes, searching for animals and objects to emerge from the abstract shapes. He has drawn upon these to illustrate this book, immersing all creatures great and small into the landscape.

“Never grow up. Always down.”

Roald Dahl