A Place I Truly Belong, Anita Hinton
Written by Anita Hinton
Illustrated by Michelle Euinton & Shaila Awadh
PUBLISHED BY MARY EGAN PUBLISHING; 16 NOVEMBER 2021; RRP: $20.00
Hopeful children’s story written by homeless mother on the run
Anita Hinton first conceived her children’s picture book after fleeing a violent relationship and going on the run with her five-year-old daughter, Neia. Leaving home with little more than the clothes they were wearing, their books were chief among the things they would miss.
Suddenly homeless and wishing to create solace, and a ‘new normal’ for her and Neia, Hinton picked up a paper napkin and wrote a hopeful children’s story. From humble beginnings and proudly supported by Mary Egan Publishing, that story is now the magical book A Place I Truly Belong.
“I wrote this book because I wanted a book to read to my daughter, but more so I needed an escape from the pain I was going through in real life. I missed reading to her, I missed the idea of being normal, I missed having the little things in life, like a book. I wrote the story I needed to hear; that life would eventually make sense, and eventually, I would find where I needed to be,” says Hinton.
A Place I Truly Belong revolves around loveable and courageous giraffe Larry – based on a real-life toy giraffe of the same name – who must search high and low to discover his identity, and true place in the world. Along the way, he meets helpful creatures and never gives up on his dream of coming home.
The book’s adorable and evocative illustrations are by talented Auckland-based graphic designers Michelle Euinton and Shaila Awadh. Popular reo words and phrases appear throughout the text alongside a glossary of terms at the back of the book. Poignant, purposeful, and full of aroha, A Place I Truly Belong will encourage Kiwi kids to be courageous and follow their hearts.
Hinton sought help from Women’s Refuge when she left her partner and is now paying it forward. She founded and is the CEO of the registered charity I Got Your Back Pack, which supports survivors of domestic violence all over Aotearoa New Zealand. Her charitable work earned her a Kiwibank Local Hero Award.
All proceeds from sales ofA Place I Truly Belongwill go to support the work of I Got Your Back Pack.
ANITA HINTON lives in Auckland with her new partner Fabian, daughter, and cute puppy Hope. She is passionate about social change and lives to make a difference in other peoples’ lives.
After establishing I Got Your Back Pack, Hinton founded the dog rescue and rehabilitation organisation Saving Hope Foundation.
A Place I Truly Belong is her first book, and it won’t be her last!
ANITA HINTON IS AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW / BOOK EXTRACTS AND IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
Media contact: Sarah Thornton / Thornton Communications / 021 753744 / sarah.thornton@prcomms.com