We are very pleased to be giving away two copies of Gina Bartlett’s book ‘Lulu La Ru’, to our GrownUps members.
All you need to do to enter the draw is be a GrownUps member, make sure you’re signed up to our newsletter and fill in your details near the bottom of the page!
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About Lulu La Ru
A delightful book for 7-12 year olds and their families that follows the adventures (and hilarious misadventures!) of a new step-mum as she finds her special role in the family.
However it finds you, motherhood is a whole new world. Meet Lulu La Ru – a ‘Super Terrific Extra Parent’ (also known as a S.T.E.P.-Mum). She’s funny and sassy with a heart of gold and is embracing her new life with a sense of humour and a ‘can do’ attitude. Come share in her hilarious adventures as she rides the crazy, up-and-down roller-coaster of family life.
Author Note
As the step-mother of two young girls, I grew frustrated that there were no books, movies or portrayals of happy step-families. Media and available resources tended to still focus on the traditional family makeup of a biological mum and dad and two or three children.
I have experienced first-hand my step-daughters’ bewilderment at how step-mothers were, more often than not, portrayed as the mean, wicked party in the story, when their reality was the complete opposite. Not having a family model they could latch onto and resonate with has sometimes been particularly difficult. Hence, the creation of Lulu La Ru!
After talking to others, what began as a passion project purely for my family appeared to have wider appeal and interest. I realised there was a gap in the market for stories about a family that happened to have a step-parent as part of it, given that a growing number of children live in this family dynamic.
Yes, she’s based on our family and actual situations that have occurred on our journey. However, I am hoping that the book speaks to all sorts of families, as I’m sure any mother – no matter how motherhood found her – can appreciate and relate to the changes they experienced and some of the situations they found themselves in, as they left their former lives and selves. Nothing can prepare you for when children enter your life and I felt that the everyday, funny, poignant, ‘what the heck’ moments needed to be treasured and celebrated.
I hope my book speaks to children and mothers of all families and serves to show them another model – where having a step-mother as part of it, is normal and simply just another family dynamic out of a myriad of types of families present in today’s society. I also hope it is inclusive, not divisive, as that was certainly my intention. It takes a village to raise a child, and mothers – whether biological, step or adoptive, are actually on the same team and working towards the same goal – raising happy, healthy, thriving humans.
About the Author
Following a successful career spanning the legal, publishing and financial services industries, Gina embraced the opportunity to unleash her quirky sense of fun with these creative, perceptive and humorous stories on everyday family life.
When not penning the latest adventures of her beloved character, Lulu La Ru, Gina loves nothing more than being active (hiking, biking and skiing), satisfying her addiction to yoghurt and dark chocolate (no, not together!) and obsessing over the spreadsheets and lists she endlessly creates in an attempt to keep her life and creative projects in perfect harmony (albeit with varying degrees of success).
An intrepid traveller and true lover of nature, Gina is always planning a new adventure and will use any opportunity to escape and seek inspiration from the world around her.
At home in Auckland, New Zealand, Gina leads a dynamic family life, sharing her journey with her highly energetic husband and two equally vivacious stepdaughters. A chilled-out labradoodle rounds out the household, providing some calm amid the hustle and bustle.
Terms and conditions
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- You must be a GrownUps member and receive our newsletter to be eligible to win.
- Competition closes on the 13th March 2024, winners will be notified via email by 14th March 2024.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you correctly enter a New Zealand postal address where the prize can be sent. GrownUps will not take responsibility for prizes sent to incorrect addresses.
- Winners are drawn at random by the GrownUps administration team.
- GrownUps employees and family are not eligible to enter.
- By entering the giveaway, you approve for GrownUps to use your name on social media as winner of the competition.
- One entry per household.
- Prize in non transferrable.
- You must reside in New Zealand – the prize can only be redeemed within New Zealand.
- You must be over 50 years of age to enter, please check your details are correct in your membership dashboard.