Wendy Cheek
Children’s Author
‘Books are magical pathways to another time and place ...’
Writing for me has become a natural connection to the world of children and my love of children’s literature.
Hi I’m Wendy,
From my early primary teaching years, I have always known how important it is to hook young readers into quality literature and pique their interest with great storytelling.
Thanks for visiting my emerging world of writing. I hope my stories will spark imagination, bring smiles and inspire curious minds. Whether you’re here to explore my writing, or learn about my journey as an author, I encourage you to stay in touch, as I intend to bring unique characters and imaginative worlds to life.
Happy reading and happy exploring!
Publications
‘Woof’
Excerpt
The School Magazine - Blast Off - May 2022
I nearly went deaf! Well, I’m sure I wasn’t far from being deaf when my little brother blew his plastic whistle fair into my ear drum. I mean he just got the whistle and blew as loud as he could!
I know he's only two years old but it was still not OK.
He chuckled out loud after he did it too. At least I think he laughed. I couldn't hear properly, but I saw his mouth open and his laughing face, and his little shoulders going up and down, so I guessed he was laughing.
‘Mum! Tyler just blew his whistle right in my ear.’
Mum came into the room.
‘What is going on?’ she said.’ Toby you're going to be late for school. Stop mucking around. Hurry up the bus is coming.’
I shook my head; my ears were ringing. I grabbed my bag and ran out the front door. The day immediately got worse because as I turned the corner, I saw the bus pulling away.
‘Wonderful!’ I said to myself. ‘Now what am I going to do?’ I had never missed this bus before.
And then came a deep voice from behind me.
‘There will be another one in about 8 minutes.’
I turned around to see a golden labrador sitting there. Nobody else was there. I looked up and down the street. Nobody there.
‘Who said that?’ I thought my ringing ears were playing tricks on me.
I looked at the labrador who also looked to the left and to the right, just as I had and then looked back at me.
‘There will be another bus in about 8 minutes. They come every 8 minutes at this time of the morning,’ said the deep voice and it was coming from... the dog. The dog!
A comical look at the possiblity of being able to talk to dogs.
Toby is not having a great day as he journeys to school. It should work out ok… right?
Well maybe…
Illustrator: Amy Golbach
Illustrator: Amy Golbach
‘What’s the Magic Word?’
Excerpt
The School Magazine - Blast Off
March 2023
Ever since I was three, I can remember mum and dad grinning down at me when I wanted something and saying, ‘What’s the magic word Luca?’
And I quickly learned to respond.
Eight years later, I’ve thought a lot about this ‘magic word’. The power of that one syllable word – ‘PLEASE’.
Why is it a ‘magic word’?
If you say ‘please’ you get the thing that you wanted, food, a toy, a story and so on.
How can six letters put together have so much power?
So today, it’s the school holidays and I’m announcing to my family that there’s going to be a change and I’m changing ‘the Magic Word’!
‘Mum, Dad. I’m changing ‘the magic’ word for today.
I’ve come up with a list of other magic words for ‘please’ for the next three days.
Today the magic word is TADPOLE.’
Luca decides to take a creative stance against having to say the word ‘please’ all the time.
Sounds fun…right? But things don’t always go how you want them to …
Upcoming:
‘Harley Garlic’
Kite Travel!
A school on top of a hill, with slides to your next class? Drones that drop lunches to hungry kids?
A talking parrot and an exceptionally talented pig that counts!
What is this place?
Harley Garlic is a 15 000-word Junior Chapter book for young readers.
It’s about an extraordinary young boy Harley, who is gifted with special powers. He lives with family and friends in an unusual micro-climate which the townsfolk have harnessed with extraordinary results.
The prevailing winds of Hilly Valley provide transport, weather control, cloud ordering, and a happy healthy lifestyle.
But when a new family arrives in the valley, things begin to change. Twins, Freddy and Sadie do not want to be in Hilly Valley or make friends with anyone.
An exciting rescue scene up in the dangerous limestone tunnels, helps to break down the barriers and bring a possible resolution.
Themes about managing and caring for the environment, as well as accepting difference in others, drives the action to an exciting finish.
The powerful relationships between humans and animals are a central and driving plot, emphasising empathy and kindness. The amazing antics of animals at the School Pet show, as well as the final chapter skateboarding scene will captivate young readers and leave them wanting more.
It’s quirky and funny but it’s also a little eccentric and heart-warming. Likeable, colourful characters throughout and a surprise ending allows the possibility of a tantalising sequel.
Get in touch
If you’d like to get in touch with me, please leave your details in the form and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Email:
info@wendycheek.com
