Ōamaru artist Sheryl Black has illustrated a children’s book, which will be launched in Ōamaru tonight (Friday, November 10).

Chile Bird, written by Dunedin author Diane Miller, is based on the true story of northern royal albatross (toroa) from Taiaroa Head, near Dunedin, who is caught in a storm and rescued by fishermen near Chile.

She is cared for by the children from the small fishing village of Duao, who call her Chile Bird. 

“Albatross are truly magnificent birds,” Sheryl said. “Once they fledge they can spend years at sea without setting foot on land. 

“Our book also features another famous albatross from Taiaroa Head, Grandma, who raised her last chick at the age of 62.”

Once healthy, Chile Bird returns to the life of a wild seabird, facing other hazards at sea, before returning home to find a partner and moving to the next stage in her life.

Sheryl hopes the book will help inspire people to take more care of their beaches, and work to protect their environment.

The project was “very stop-start”, and took almost four years to complete, she said.

“We started before Covid and then put it on hold, as we felt there wouldn’t be enough tourists coming to the albatross colony, which would be one of the main selling places.”

It was overall a great experience working on the project, although it had its ups and downs, and working hard to meet the publishing deadline was quite stressful, she said.

“But we are really glad we got it out for Christmas.”

Sheryl created all the illustrations digitally, using Photoshop and a number of photos she had sourced.

“It was kind of like a digital collage which I painted over, digitally.”

She particularly enjoyed working on giving Chile Bird personality through different facial expressions.

“She has eyebrows and eyelashes.”

The book launch will feature a big screen reading of the book, and behind-the-scenes stories of making the book, including an explanation of the techniques she used.

Natural history filmmaker Max Quinn will help launch the book and share some of his stories and images.

The book is aimed towards children aged from about four to ten years, and was published by Diane and her husband Brian Miller’s company Lifelogs, which they began in 2007. 

Chile Bird is the second book Sheryl and Diane have collaborated on - Josephine Off the Rails is about the double Fairlie steam locomotive on display at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum.

It has a special dedication in the front to the inspiring role played by Lance Richdale, who pushed to protect the northern royal albatross at the Taiaroa colony, the only mainland breeding colony in the world.

Dunedin author Diane Miller and Ōamaru artist Sheryl Black with the book they worked together on. PHOTO: Supplied