ABOUT OUR PEOPLE
Big Book Publishing provides an avenue for resources to be published using gifted writers, authors, illustrators…
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DAVE MANN
Married with four boys, Dave’s primary work has been in Christian ministry, serving in community ministry and as a pastor in both New Zealand and Asia. He is a natural visionary, and when he discovered that there were positive stories from the early bicultural years in Aotearoa, he was surprised to discover that they were largely untold. In his words, ‘Every nation needs positive stories from it’s early years to give a basis for positive national identity.’ This passion and awareness caused Dave to seek an organisation or team who could tell some of our nations positive stories, giving New Zealanders some historical heroes to celebrate, including both Māori and Pākehā, male and female. Dave and Heather live in Tauranga. Their children (who are Pākehā) love the stories, and want to be Māori warriors when they grow up.
Role: Producer
Website: http://www.bigbook.nz
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GINA TAGGART
Gina helps her husband run their North Canterbury farm with their son. They also have a grown up daughter.
The ‘Chronicles of Paki’ series is Gina’s first venture into published writing. Her interest in the relationship between Māori and the missionaries in the 1800s developed when she realised that many New Zealanders misunderstood the impact of the Gospel on New Zealand’s history. As a Christian, she felt this shortfall could be addressed by writing about the history at a level children could comprehend, helping New Zealanders better understand their own fascinating story.
As well as being involved with The Chronicles of Paki, Gina teaches Bible in Schools and guitar. She also enjoys gardening and cooking.
Role: Writer
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ALISON CONDON
Alison lives with her husband on a farm near Motueka, at the top of the South Island, New Zealand. They have three grown up children. Her main priorities are her family, friends and Christian faith and her main interests are her writing, teaching and grandchildren. Alison is a trained primary school teacher and a part-time farmer. She is an internationally published author and has written both fiction and non-fiction works. She has enjoyed seeing over thirty children’s stories, short stories, articles and poems published.
Alison has found ‘The Chronicles of Paki’ to be her most challenging and rewarding writing project to date.
Role: Writer
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TANIA HASSOUNIA
New Zealand illustrator, Tania Hassounia, attended Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) as a mature student to hone her skills and earned a BA in Visual Communication. Already a graphic designer, Tania emerged as an illustrator as well, and was quickly commissioned for those skills throughout her clients work. The Chronicles of Paki are Tania’s first published set of books combining her love of drawing with the theme of faith and encouragement.
Tania is an entrepreneur though her business Drawer Full of Giants and works remotely while she travels the world full time. She also enjoys ‘giving back’ through offering her business services to non-profits throughout the year as a self-supporting volunteer/consultant. Tania can be reached through her website and writes of her many adventures through her blog.
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EDDIE BOOTH
After many years of dabbling with art Eddie Booth began his professional art career at age 32, in 1998 as a graphic designer and then operating his own graphic design business “designbooth ltd” for several years. Over the years Eddie has been involved with many interesting illustration projects for international business and local business alike.
Generally a self-taught artist, Eddie attended a one-year “animation” course in ’96 and a one year “graphic design” certificate in ’97. He was always drawing as he grew up in the small New Zealand coastal town called Whangamata. Although interested in many styles of art, Eddie was influenced by a childhood love of all forms of cartoon books and comics (Tintin, Asterix, Beano, Richard Scary) and as he got older Eddie also became interested in Science fiction and fantasy art (Conan, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings). However Eddie has never lost his fascination with the whimsical, colourful and humorous content of artwork for children (such as Winnie the Pooh by Disney). Now living at Papamoa beach in the Bay of Plenty (New Zealand), the artist produces his work using a Wacom tablet and computer programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, Painter, and Carrara 3D.
Although Eddie has a range of cartoon jigsaws already, (including “eyesaw” and an underwater scene “Fish Tales” licensed by Ravensburger), the artist is always working on other fun themes and styles.
DAVE MANN
Married with four boys, Dave’s primary work has been in Christian ministry, serving in community ministry and as a pastor in both New Zealand and Asia. He is a natural visionary, and when he discovered that there were positive stories from the early bicultural years in Aotearoa, he was surprised to discover that they were largely untold. In his words, ‘Every nation needs positive stories from it’s early years to give a basis for positive national identity.’ This passion and awareness caused Dave to seek an organisation or team who could tell some of our nations positive stories, giving New Zealanders some historical heroes to celebrate, including both Māori and Pākehā, male and female. Dave and Heather live in Tauranga. Their children (who are Pākehā) love the stories, and want to be Māori warriors when they grow up.
Role: Producer
Website: http://www.bigbook.nz
GINA TAGGART
Gina helps her husband run their North Canterbury farm with their son. They also have a grown up daughter.
The ‘Chronicles of Paki’ series is Gina’s first venture into published writing. Her interest in the relationship between Māori and the missionaries in the 1800s developed when she realised that many New Zealanders misunderstood the impact of the Gospel on New Zealand’s history. As a Christian, she felt this shortfall could be addressed by writing about the history at a level children could comprehend, helping New Zealanders better understand their own fascinating story.
As well as being involved with The Chronicles of Paki, Gina teaches Bible in Schools and guitar. She also enjoys gardening and cooking.
Role: Writer
ALISON CONDON
Alison lives with her husband on a farm near Motueka, at the top of the South Island, New Zealand. They have three grown up children. Her main priorities are her family, friends and Christian faith and her main interests are her writing, teaching and grandchildren. Alison is a trained primary school teacher and a part-time farmer. She is an internationally published author and has written both fiction and non-fiction works. She has enjoyed seeing over thirty children’s stories, short stories, articles and poems published.
Alison has found ‘The Chronicles of Paki’ to be her most challenging and rewarding writing project to date.
Role: Writer
TANIA HASSOUNIA
New Zealand illustrator, Tania Hassounia, attended Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) as a mature student to hone her skills and earned a BA in Visual Communication. Already a graphic designer, Tania emerged as an illustrator as well, and was quickly commissioned for those skills throughout her clients work. The Chronicles of Paki are Tania’s first published set of books combining her love of drawing with the theme of faith and encouragement.
Tania is an entrepreneur though her business Drawer Full of Giants and works remotely while she travels the world full time. She also enjoys ‘giving back’ through offering her business services to non-profits throughout the year as a self-supporting volunteer/consultant. Tania can be reached through her website and writes of her many adventures through her blog.
Get in touch:EDDIE BOOTH
After many years of dabbling with art Eddie Booth began his professional art career at age 32, in 1998 as a graphic designer and then operating his own graphic design business “designbooth ltd” for several years. Over the years Eddie has been involved with many interesting illustration projects for international business and local business alike.
Generally a self-taught artist, Eddie attended a one-year “animation” course in ’96 and a one year “graphic design” certificate in ’97. He was always drawing as he grew up in the small New Zealand coastal town called Whangamata. Although interested in many styles of art, Eddie was influenced by a childhood love of all forms of cartoon books and comics (Tintin, Asterix, Beano, Richard Scary) and as he got older Eddie also became interested in Science fiction and fantasy art (Conan, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings). However Eddie has never lost his fascination with the whimsical, colourful and humorous content of artwork for children (such as Winnie the Pooh by Disney). Now living at Papamoa beach in the Bay of Plenty (New Zealand), the artist produces his work using a Wacom tablet and computer programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, Painter, and Carrara 3D.
Although Eddie has a range of cartoon jigsaws already, (including “eyesaw” and an underwater scene “Fish Tales” licensed by Ravensburger), the artist is always working on other fun themes and styles.
LATEST RELEASE
Testimonials
This series is an animated presentation of events leading up to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the various personalities involved and of events beyond the signing. […]
Pita ParoneChairman of the Waitangi National TrustThis resource is a fresh and creative way to engage students with the history of New Zealand. As a series, it covers so many aspects […]
Lisa ParishPrimary School PrincipalThis illustrated Waitangi series for children represents the different characters well. These stories are a taonga. I encourage every parent and teacher to tell them […]
Peeni Henare(Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi) MP for Tāmaki MakaurauI was born and raised here in Waitangi, my ancestors signed the Treaty. One of my passions is sharing our local perspectives on history. The […]
Ngāti Kawa TaituhaThe Waitangi Marae ChairmanThe Paki series brings our early history to life in an accessible and engaging way. They are stories that deserve to be widely read by […]
Samuel CarpenterHistorian and trustee, Karuwha TrustTēnā koutou. On behalf of the people of Ngāti Hauā, I am pleased to see the story of our ancestors Wīremu Tāmehana Tarapīpipi Te Waharoa and Ngākuku and […]
Mokoro GillettCo-Chairperson Ngāti Hauā Iwi Trust
