MY SPECIAL PLACE

“There’s a special place I know, a magical place, full of wonder and surprise. It’s a secret place though, hidden away for most of the year. I can take you there, but first you must be very, very patient…”

Sometimes all you need is a little bit of hope, a little bit of patience and to truly believe.

When you do, it’s amazing what can happen.

Watch and wait as nature weaves its magic on the farm and slowly pulls you into the enchantment of this special place.

BUY SIGNED COPY

Shop

  • My first book 'My Special Place', inspired by Puddles is available to buy now!

    Shop Book

  • Browse my range of prints, based on the illustrations from 'My Special Place'.

    SHOP ARTWORK

  • My favourite illustrations are now available in a range of cards.

    SHOP CARDS

  • Colour in all your favourite scenes from 'My Special Place'.

    SHOP COLOURING BOOKS

School Visits

Having taught for many years, I really enjoy visiting schools to share ‘My Special Place’.

I work with children from Nursery to Year 6 differentiating activities as I work with them.

As well as working with individual classes I enjoy taking assemblies and large groups talking about the inspiration behind the story and how the book was created.

If you are interested in me coming to visit you in your school, please contact me at gina@ginarees.co.uk

I have a wonderful large A3 copy of the book that I share with classes and a lovely group of characters from the book who help me tell the story.

I bring in farm role play and an ocean role play as well as colouring, puzzles and a range of other activities depending on the age group and theme being covered.

Commissions

  • Do you have a menagerie of animals that you want drawn in an illustrative design? This one was done of my three dogs interacting with some of the animals and countryside creatures on the farm.

  • These pictures are created using pen and ink and then worked on with watercolours and pencil crayons.

  • I can create pictures any size, from A5 up to A3 depending on how many animals you want. Contact me at gina@ginarees.co.uk for more details and information on prices.

ABOUT ME

Before I became a Farmer’s wife, I studied for a degree in Marine Biology. My love of the sea has never left me, and every year as the fields grow and flourish, I imagine them turning into a beautiful ocean, as do my dogs. They patiently wait through the seasons watching as the fields are worked on until the summer when they can dive in! This was the inspiration for my first book, ‘My Special Place’.

I am having so much fun sharing this book in schools and taking it to fairs and different events. I love talking about the farm and what is happening in the fields to help the fields grow.

The octopus was a very popular character in the first book so he is the main character of the next story. The dogs find him hiding under a hedge on the farm, lost and set about helping him get back home.

I am currently working on this in between school visits, doing commissions, going to shows and fairs and having lots of fun!

TESTIMONIAL

I have had the pleasure of having Gina visit my school and read her beautiful novel 'My Special Place'. My class were captured in awe with her story telling and warm personality. Gina's passion and love of teaching and storytelling is heartwarming. Her gentle nature and experience shines through. Our session with Gina was fantastic, her home made companions elevated the story, adding a magical touch. Gina's vast knowledge through her prior life experiences ring true and made a very special story indeed. I cannot wait to see what the future holds.

Victoria Crockett-EYFS teacher

TESTIMONIAL

Gina Rees and I have been friends and allies since we first met more than 30 years ago at university. A passionate and devoted student of marine biology, Gina turned her considerable talents into a successful career in primary school teaching. Gina’s other job is as a farmer’s wife. On the farm, in the classroom, as a mum, and with lucky friends like me, Gina has perfected the art of open-hearted encouragement of others and has spent many years working jolly hard while making it all look very easy.

But deep inside, for all those years, the girl who loves the sea and the girl who loves to educate were collaborating on a quite astonishing project. ‘My Special Place’ is the culmination of those passions. Tied together by Gina’s love of the farming life, the inspiration she has taken from her exuberant dogs, and the encouragement of her wonderful children, this book is as special as its title. I hope you will enjoy my friend’s book every bit as much as I have loved seeing it on its journey to completion.

Jo Massey - Friend & Ally