Publications:
Don't Ask Her Name - an adoption story
Robyn Cooper and her husband adopt two children in the days of absolute secrecy as to the parentage of the children, and when birthmothers were told to forever forget. As the children reach adulthood they are each contacted unexpectedly by their birthmothers..The story finishes eight years after the reunions and portrays a social history of adoption through one family's experiences. 'An important and unique contribution to the literature on adoption.' Carol Beu, The Women’s Bookshop.. 'The author has put together a New Zealand story that is soundly written. The contact between adopted and biological parent is both moving and sensitive and there is a flow to the writing which makes her story demanding reading. I loved this book.' Graeme Cass, The Daily Telegraph. ‘A moving, good-humoured, heart-warming story.’ Graeme Lay, North and South.
Snails Spells and Snazzlepops
Charlie is tired of living in a crumbling house with faulty locks and devises a plan to make money as a celebrity chief of crazy cook-ups for kids, starting with snails from his mother’s garden. He persuades Millie from next door to help but their plans are diverted when Charlie discovers magic spells which might thwart Ivan the bully, and a recipe for Snazzlepops that might just make his fortune. Granny enters the fray but no one is safe from Charlie’s efforts to become rich and famous. . ‘Charlie and Millie are both lively characters whose crazy escapades will have readers aged 8 plus laughing out loud. A mouth-watering tale of crazy cook-ups, magic and mayhem.' John McIntyre, The Children’s Bookshop, Wellington. ‘It combines the silliness that Paul Jennings and Andy Griffiths brought to junior fiction and combines it with some fantasy and real life issues like adjusting to your mother’s boyfriend and bullying.’ Bobs Books. 'A story of ingenuity, spells, and tender moments. This charming little book by Robyn Cooper is her first children’s book but a definite hit!' Melissa Spark, Magpies. ‘This is a truly funny story with characters with whom we can empathise and a storyline of which we believe every word. A good story to read aloud to a class as a special treat!! Excellent teachers’ notes are available on the Makaro Press website.’ Barbara Murison, Around the Bookshops.