Nature is my Therapy Blog by Kylie Welch
There’s something so beautifully unique about the gardens here in New Zealand, don’t you think? Maybe it’s the way the Pōhutukawa Trees light up like Christmas each summer, or how the Tūī’s call carries on the breeze just as you’re hanging out the washing. Or maybe it’s just that when you slow down and really look, there’s a whole world buzzing beneath your feet.
That’s where many of my stories begin—in the garden. Among the nightly visiting hedgehogs in summer, the busy bees on their favorite flowers, and the curly caterpillars on our swan plants making their quiet little way across a leaf. Nature has always been a big part of my world, and it’s something I wanted to pass on to young ones through my books. Because in between all the rush and business of everyday life, these small creatures have big lessons to teach us.
When I started writing children's books, I didn’t set out to create a bundle. I just wrote one story at a time, inspired by what I saw around me and the kinds of conversations I’d have with little ones who were curious about everything. The garden was our classroom—and still is.
That’s how The Curly Little Caterpillar, The Lovely Little Ladybird, and Little Bee’s Busy Day came to be. Each one celebrates the kind of simple joy that’s easy to miss when we rush through the day. They’re stories grounded in Aotearoa’s natural beauty, but with messages that resonate everywhere: things like patience, courage, gratitude, and the importance of being kind to others (and to ourselves).
All of the books in my Picture Book Collection Bundle are special to me, not just because of the stories themselves, but because of the heart behind them. They mix my love for storytelling with my deep appreciation for the natural world and all its therapeutic, wonderful ways. And the best bit? My nature series of books are illustrated so beautifully by the talented SK Artista, who brings each character to life in a way that’s full of charm and personality.
If you’re a parent, a teacher, or just someone who loves gifting meaningful stories to little ones, this bundle is for you. It’s a way to slow things down, spark some curiosity, and plant seeds of wisdom in young minds—all while sharing a life lesson and hopefully having a giggle or two along the way.
So pop the jug on, have a browse, and maybe bring a bit of Kiwi Garden Nature into your home.
You can check out the full collection here.
And, for us adults and to also celebrate the healing journey that can be found in nature, I have created a few items in my Gift Store with my new design (I am obsessed with this design!) "Nature is my Therapy". See these items here...
With love from my garden to yours,
Kylie