On Wednesday 4 March 2015, the children’s author Mr Jim Henderson, alias Cracker Jim came to visit us at Te Rapunga.

The D block classes and Matua Jason’s class got to hear him read his stories and entertain us with his puppets. (Apparently E3 had their own special visit too!)

Cracker Jim was a funny farmer, who also showed us how we can all write our own books, using an application for both Android and Apple devices called “Book Creator”.

Refer https://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/book-creator-free/id661166101?mt=8 or https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.redjumper.bookcreatorfree&hl=en.

Jim Henderson and audience

Te Rapunga has now bought his set of five picture books and CDs’ about Flossie, the Huntaway sheepdog and her adventures.  We found them amusing and authentically ‘Kiwi-as’ ; they  gave a big insight into the real issues facing NZ farmers today. The rhyming language was delightful, with a lovely pace for reading aloud.

And while the real dog who inspired the stories did not come in , we did enjoy the puppets of Flossie  and Cracker Jim and acting out being a farmer!  So,  “Get in behind Flossie!” and come and read one of these new books or visit www.crackerjim.co.nz to order your own copies!

Flossie and the Burglars Flossie and the Drought Flossie and the Fire Flossie and the Flood Flossie and the Snow Storm