On Sunday, Brian High will officially release his new picture book Mr Wind and the Postmen at the South Canterbury Museum.
The book, which uses a rhymed story coupled with edited photos from Tuhawaiki (Jack’s) Point, characterises posts left behind from a large wooden box that helped Saltwater Creek drain into the sea — using their lasting resilience against the elements as an extended metaphor for combating bullying.
Mr High said the idea for the book came to him after taking a trip down to Jack’s Point on a windy day and seeing some big waves down on the beach.
"I went down to the beach at Jack’s Point and saw these posts, the remnants of what was a flood control box. Looking at the posts they had a bit of character, they’ve stood up to a lot over the years and are still standing.
"So I just sort of got the idea of Mr Wind, blowing at the posts, who have got their back to the wind. He’s just yelling out ‘look at me, look at me, look at me’ and the posts don’t turn around. It’s a way of dissipating bullying.
"So, the story came from the accumulation of the wind, some big waves on the beach and then social media and news in general because there’s a lot of, ‘look at me, look at me’ happening on there."
He said he believed children often saw things that adults did not.
"So, these little driftwood creatures came into existence from that. I went to the craft shop and stuck some eyes on them to make all sort of characters, it’s just exploring, visually, something that’s there but not there."
It was enjoyable getting to flex his creative muscle in a different way to his regular work, he said.
"The first book that I did, was called The Earnslaw Dragon, and I did that with just illustrations. I quite like trying to make the photographs into something that they're not initially and just seeing how far you can push it.
"This one sat on the shelf for quite a long time, it probably took me a couple of years from its initial incarnation and at the end of the day it’s just a little book and it’s really just for fun.
"It may catch people’s imagination, it may not but it’s one of those things that you have an itch and if you don’t scratch it, what’s the point?"
The book is being launched as part of the Heritage Alive event at the South Canterbury Museum on Sunday.
The event will take place from 1.30pm-4.30pm and feature lucky prize draws, Victorian games and historic dress-ups, a free afternoon tea with Christmas cake and presentation about the museum’s future.
Mr High said he may also be looking to adopt out some of his driftwood creatures.
He said he hoped the book would resonate with children and welcomed feedback from anyone who reads it.
The book will be available to buy at the South Canterbury Museum from Sunday onwards.
