Where Lions Roar At Night
by Rosie Boom
From the Author
It's exciting to know that families all over the world are enjoying reading together about the fun and adventures we've enjoyed as a family on our piece of land, living in our barn.
When we first moved to Whangarei, New Zealand and bought 11 acres of farm land, complete with an old barn, I never dreamed that the next two years would hold so much fun and so many memorable moments. I love cooking on our woodburning Homewood stove, tending the vegetable garden, and enjoying the constant challenges that go hand in hand with a small block.
And I have loved re-living all the special moments as I've written this book!
When I was a child, my parents and siblings lived in Papua New Guinea for three years. That was the most thrilling time in my childhood. I'm sure it set me up for thriving on a challenge and enjoying having to 'rough it'. When I first laid eyes on the ancient barn, all I could think was, 'We could live here!'
In the first six months, we survived two 'one hundred year' storms. The barn creaked and shook and groaned, but outlasted the onslaught. Those were exciting, nerve wracking days and nights of gale force winds, rain so loud on the tin roof that we couldn't hear ourselves shout, rescuing animals and anxiously watching to see if the barn roof would lift off.
Milly, the main character in the story, is my strong willed, feisty 12 year old. She is full of life and action, and is passionately fond of any sort of animal. Over the two years we have been here, she has gathered quite a menagerie of pets - chickens, Indian Runner ducks, a pony and a milking cow to name a few. But more of that in the book!
You may be wondering about the title of my book, given that there are no wild lions in New Zealand! The first night we spent in the barn was an exciting one. We all lay on mattresses on the loft floor, complete with mosquito nets. It was to be a very wakeful night for some of us - strange noises, worries about rats, loud water pumps, and then... the eerie sound of lions roaring. I couldn't believe it at first. But Chris assured me that it was indeed lions. Just north of the barn and over a few hills is Zion Wildlife Gardens www.zionwildlifegardens.co.nz home to a large number of lions and tigers. And when the wind blows the right way, we hear their roaring. A spine tingling sound in the middle of the night! The sound somehow encapsulated the exciting start to our new adventure and seemed to be a fitting title when I came to write the book.
My hope is that Where Lions Roar at Night will cause people to reflect on the joy and wonder of family. I hope that the adults who read this book will re-capture some of the wonder of childhood. And of course I hope that all the children who enjoy the adventures in the book will be inspired to make the most of their own childhood and enjoy many similar adventures with their own family.
Love
Rosie
Ten year old Milly had always dreamed of living in the country and owning all sorts of animals. So when her parents buy a piece of land and move their six children into a ninety-year-old barn, Milly can't believe her luck.
But she never imagined that living the simple life would include mucking out a filthy water tank, gathering endless supplies of firewood, clearing the land and rescuing animals in a 'hundred year' storm. Nor did she expect to hear deep groanings in the night...
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Boom family from left to right: Jacob 8, Eliza 14, Kate 17 with Angel, Rose and Chris, Milly 11, Josiah 18, and Samuel 9.
“An awesome book - everyone should read it! Parts of it are very funny. I didn't want Mum to stop reading it. The characters come alive - it made me want to meet them.” ~ Sarah, age 11
"Our family has always loved Little House on the Prairie. We never imagined we would discover another book we would love as much, especially a New Zealand one. Where Lions Roar at Night is hugely entertaining." ~ Emily
“I loved hearing how Aslan the Lion lived just along the road and I wanted to play on the rope swing by Black Rabbit Island. I liked how the children surprised their parents for their wedding anniversary. That was a fantastic idea!” ~Benjamin, age 9
“This story is a fantastic and engaging read. The characters are inspiring. I didn't want to put it down. Exciting and written for all ages, it makes for a very good read by the fire on a winter's night.” Rachel, 16
“This book is a winner! We devoured it as a ‘family read’ in less than a week. Many chores were left undone as my family pleaded for “just one more chapter, Mum!” again and again. We got to know each family member as a close friend, laughing at their antics, sharing their adventures with enthusiasm and their crises with bated breath. This is the captivating, real life story of a Kiwi family that every reader would want to know and be a part of, a family who cares for each other and shares each other’s triumphs and losses. It’s about creativity, making the most of life’s ups and downs, dancing in the puddles (or canoeing in the floodwaters) on rainy days and living the great adventure with whatever’s at hand. Where Lions Roar at Night is more than the New Zealand family biography that we’ve been longing to read, it’s an inspiration to families and readers of all ages. We can’t wait for the next installment!” ~ Jenni Anderson, mother
"A very good story - exciting, funny, surprising. This is one I'll enjoy reading over and over.” ~ Ben, age 13
“Great book! Kids of all ages will enjoy it.” ~ Samantha, age 15
CynthiaHancox/Foxton, New Zealand/ +646-363-7743
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