Adventist author celebrates picture book

Children’s author and Park Ridge Seventh-day Adventist church member Karen Collum launched her debut picture book, SAMUEL’S KISSES, recently at Marks & Gardner Gallery on Mount Tamborine in the Gold Coast Hinterlands.

Mrs Collum wrote the book after being inspired by her eldest son, Samuel, who as a toddler blew kisses to strangers in the shops. She was fascinated by the power of a simple kiss to transform grumpy strangers into smiling, happy shoppers and decided it would make a great picture book. She was right.

“I learned to never underestimate the power that children have to make a positive impact on the world and make it a better place,” said Karen Collum.

The book launch was a celebration of the long road to publication and an opportunity to share the joy with friends and family.

The event was attended by Karen’s publisher, as well as the illustrator of the book, Serena Geddes. The audience listened to Karen read SAMUEL’S KISSES and share the inspiration for the book, as well as watch a drawing demonstration from Serena.

SAMUEL’S KISSES is published by New Frontier Publishing, a trade publisher in Australia, and can be found in most good book stores.

Karen has also recently had another picture book published, this time for the Christian market. FISH DON’T NEED SNORKELS is aimed at the 2-4 year old age group and reminds children that God made everything – including each of them – just right. FISH DON’T NEED SNORKELS will be available in Adventist Book Centres soon.

For more information about Karen and her books, or to order a signed copy of a book, please visit Karen’s website <www.karencollum.com.au>.