My husband Colin and I created Minnie Granny Books in 2018 with the idea of providing positive messages for young children via picture books. They have themes about the environment, the choices we make and the consequences. Our aim is to instill good values and encourage children to choose positive behaviour.
As parents we can see how important it is for children to have great role models who care about their community. We have been involved with young people for most of our lives, as parents, coach and team managers. I have 17 years experience working in schools as a classroom assistant with special needs children, first aid officer and administration. We believe there is an increasing need for children to have a sense of security, stability and resilience.
The Minnie Granny logo represents a strong woman with good values – a role model for her grandchildren. She provides lessons on life in a safe and stable environment – the picture book. The real life Minnie was my grandmother.
Minnie Rebecca Barrie (nee Agar) b.1887 – 1966 Pictured at age 18 and 4yo. Minnie’s mother Rebecca (aged 26), passed away when she was 2 years old. Her father Thomas re-married and had another 6 children which Minnie and her younger sister Lou helped raise. Once married she had 6 of her own. She lived through WW1 & 2, the Spanish Influenza, the Great Depression and many other difficult world events – she learned early in life the value of staying positive and resilience.
This has been an unexpected journey and a very rewarding one! Our first book Olly the Whale is a story Colin made up for our niece’s two boys, Charlie and Oliver, while we were on holidays in Queensland. If you look closely you might see who the real Olly is!
