For many, lockdown provided a prime opportunity to finally do the things ‘I'd do if I had more time' – from learning an instrument to finding a sudden interest in running.

Whakamarama's Eileen Gilmour's ‘thing' was coming up with a concept for her second children's book, which she hopes to self-publish before Christmas.

This comes closely following the release of her first picture book, ‘Mrs Dobbs's Ducks', in February.

There must be something about being stuck at home – she wrote her first book while spending several months recovering from a horse riding accident.

'While my bones were healing I decided to write Mrs Dobbs's Ducks in a journal,” says Eileen.

'As time went by, putting it together came second place to family commitments, farming and teaching – it's been a labour of love for sure.”

‘Mrs Dobbs's Ducks' is based on a conversation Eileen, who was eight years old at the time, had with the real Mrs Dobbs.

The story follows the disaster that ensues when Mrs Dobbs leaves the gate to her ducks open, leading them to a vulnerable plate of setting jellies.

'The story is set in the 1960s, seen in the illustrations including an old wringer washing machine and telephone.

'It's perfect for parents or grandparents to read to younger family members.”

‘Mrs. Dobbs's Ducks' is available from Bethlehem Paper Plus, or by emailing iandegilmour@gmail.com