COMP CLOSED: Book Giveaway: The Essential Fairy

Children’s author Anna Kenna, well known as a former investigative TV reporter on programmes such as Fair Go and 20/20, has added a couple of notable milestones to her writing career.
The very topical and important Covid 19 connected subject matter of her latest children’s picture book is catching the eye of readers of kiwi kids’ literature.

The Essential Fairy, brought to life by the illustrations of Tim Hunt (www.diddleysquatt.com), recalls the moment in the country’s first Covid lockdown when PM Jacinda Ardern responded to letters from children who were concerned that the Tooth Fairy wouldn’t be able to visit because she wasn’t listed as an essential worker. At one of her 1pm media stand-ups, the PM declared the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and Santa Claus would be immediately recognised as essential workers.

It was a moment that made news headlines in New Zealand and around the world including on the BBC, The Independent, The New York Times, The Washington Post, ABC, NPR, CBS, CNN, and in many countries including India, Ireland, and South Africa.

The Essential Fairy tells the story of Ruth…
“Dear Jacinda Ardern, my name is Ruth. I’m six and a half and I’ve lost my front tooth. I thought that for sure the Tooth Fairy would show, but she didn’t you see and I thought you should know.”
Kenna says she wanted to capture the story as a piece of political history and also because the gesture demonstrated to children that their voices matter.

Kenna’s books have focussed on the premise that children can be powerful advocates in their own right and her novel, Viola Vincent Reporting – Troubled Water, has just been named as one of Storylines Notable Junior Fiction books of 2020/21. It is the third book in the Viola Vincent Reporting series in which her protagonist, Caitlin Nove (AKA Viola Vincent), uses the media to highlight important social and environmental issues. Troubled Water is about the dire state of New Zealand’s rivers and streams and looks also at the impact of climate change on the environment – subjects that are of great concern to the 10 to 15 year old readers the book targets. Anna says she’s thrilled to receive the Storylines recognition and she hopes the book will continue to strike a chord with young people.

Anna Kenna has written extensively for school publications and her books are in schools and homes all over the world. In addition to The Essential Fairy and the Viola Vincent Reporting series, Anna is also the author of picture books A Fright at the Orcas and Bo.

Terms and conditions

1. You must be a GrownUps member and receive our newsletter to be eligible to win.
2. Competition closes on the 11th January 2022, winners will be notified via email by Thursday 20th Jan 2021.
3. As a competition winner, you must confirm you have received our email notifying you of the win within three days. If we have not heard from you in three days the prize will be redrawn, and your prize will be forfeit.
4. Winners are drawn at random by the GrownUps administration team.
5. GrownUps employees and family are not eligible to enter.
6. By entering the giveaway, you approve for GrownUps to use your name on social media as winner of the competition.
7. One entry per person.
8. You must reside in New Zealand – the prize will only be posted within New Zealand.
9. You must be over 50 years of age to enter, check your details are correct in your membership dashboard.