Aussie mum’s book becomes a worldwide hit and reaches Amazon’s best seller list
By
Jessica Nagel
Lockdown has been challenging for all of us, but one Queensland mother decided to make the most out of having a bit of extra time on her hands by writing and publishing a children’s book, that’s now proving to be a huge hit around the world.
“Magic can happen whereever you look, smiled Nanna Maureen as she opened the book,” is just one of the heartwarming rhyming tales which were inspired by author Casey Gillespie’s, late mother.
“My mum passed away a long time ago, before my kids were born so they never really got a chance to meet her,” Ms Gillespie told A Current Affair.
Casey Gillespie’s heartwarming book has become a worldwide hit.
It’s the children’s story book about a magical and invisible grandmother, Nanna Maureen, who spends her time looking after her grandchildren, Jesse and Scarlett and their cousin Harper.
“Based on my two kids and my niece, and yeah she hangs around, looks after them and does magic” Ms Gillespie said.
The author and mum-of-two, is an account manager on the Gold Coast and like many others, when COVID-19 first hit she was forced to work from home and her hours were drastically reduced.
Casey Gillespie’s tales are inspired by her late mother who passed away before her kids were born. (A Current Affair)
Which meant she had more time to focus on something she’s always wanted to do – write a book about her beautiful mum who passed away from cancer nearly 10 years ago and never got to meet her grandchildren.
“Originally it was supposed to be a story that they could have to explain where my mum was in a way that made sense to them, she’s around and looking after us” Ms Gillespie said.
After taking only one day to write the story, Ms Gillespie thought why not publish it?
“So, I just started doing some research and found somebody who just does children’s books illustrations.
Mother, Casey Gillespie wrote Nanna Maureen after she was forced to work from home due to COVID-19 lockdowns. (A Current Affair)
I found someone to do the layout to make sure it all fit properly and registered a business name and self-published.”
While Ms Gillespie only has two hard-copies of Nanna Maureen, the digital version has already struck a chord with readers in Australia and around the world.
One reviewer said “this one almost made me cry. A great read for any kids, but especially those who have lost someone dear to them who they may or may not have met.”
Another person said “Love it. My little girl loves the pictures and the rhymes. I’ll be sharing it with my family members.”
“Love reading books that talks about their grandparents…Keep on writing,” another reviewer said.
“I think maybe a lot of people have lost parents, you know it sucks, you know you sort of, you get sad again for your kids missing out. So, I think it’s just something like they’re missing out a little bit less now,” Ms Gillespie said.
Nanna Maureen came in as the Number One best seller in Nursery Rhymes on Amazon in America (A Current Affair)
It’s been so well received, it came in as the Number One best seller in Nursery Rhymes on Amazon in America.
While, in Australia, it was the fastest to climb the sales ranks in 24 hours making it Number One “mover and shaker” on Amazon.
It also took out Number One children’s rhyming book and children’s short stories, as a best seller and hot new release.
“I was yeah really excited and just blown away, like I was not expecting that at all, it’s unbelievable to think someone is reading it and I wrote it, wow.”
When asked what her mum would be saying right now, Ms Gillespie says “she would have loved this, she would have loved this.”
And luckily so too do the kids. “Scarlett says Nanna Maureen book is my favourite book, Jesse says he likes the frog they do really like it” she said.
To find out more about where you can get hold of the Nanna Maureen book visit
