Celia Norman Smith
I was born and educated in Sussex leaving Brighton Art College with a BA Hons. Art and Design in 1979. After a year in New Zealand travelling and then working the ‘High Country’ at Mount Cook Station, I returned to the UK to re-train at Plumpton Agriculture College. I then took time off to spend six months in Northern India and Nepal delighting in all aspects of the cultures, arts and mountain walking. I will never forget the magical mountains of the Annapurnas and the folk who live in their shadows; their inner strengths, in a seemingly hostile environment, gave me a unique example for my future life on the land. Working as the estate shepherd at Groombridge, in Kent, I met my late husband (writer, editor, and publisher) but we moved to Scotland a year later where we enjoyed over 30 years living off the land with two daughters and a menagerie of animals; I strongly believe in the organic, mixed farming methods. Writing, and drawing have always been a passionate part of my life with the natural environments heavily influencing my work. Most of the stories and illustrations in The Tales of Harry Also (a trilogy) have happened through my time travelling as a shepherd, beekeeper, mole-catcher, or living at a Riding for Disabled centre working with the horses, the young adults and their families. I will always love wild gardening, wild swimming and being a tad wild!
More information available at www.celianormansmith.co.uk
Celia Norman Smith's Books
£7.99
Harry's Holiday
28 Feb 2024Harry’s Holiday is the second in the inspiring Scottish trilogy The Tales of Harry Also.
Scarecrow Harry’s adventures begin when he leaves the tranquillity of his organic garden. Lumbering on to the back of an old Ford pick-up, Harry travels to the Angus seaside for his first holiday, where he meets new characters including Hilary Pig, a yellow seagull named Lara, Ruben the starfish fairy and many others who admire his unconquerable spirit.
But when danger strikes, will Harry’s quick wit be enough to save the motley crew as they encounter the bullies, myths and monsters of the North Sea?
Young readers will learn all about empathy, problem solving and the human impact on the health of the wondrous oceans in this captivating story.
£7.99
The Tales of Harry Also
28 Nov 2022Meet Harry Also: storyteller and scarecrow, who lives in an organic vegetable garden at the foot of the Campsie Fells, ‘between here and there’. He is an optimist, a patient fellow, after all he can’t go anywhere, and recounts numerous stories to the fairy folk of Handbag Wood.
Harry, along with his best friends Peawee (the Wuidwisp) and Button-Box (a cheeky crow) will show readers just how strong a community can be through support, love and adventure.
Can Harry stay awake to see a Shetland lamb born? Will he experience the taste of warm honey? And can he save his friend from the vengeful clutches of the Droigs? Everything seems so serene until Peawee reveals a traumatic secret. Will the compassion of Harry Also unite them to allow Peawee to overcome their history and save them all from evil?
An inspiring Scottish tale for readers aged 10+, who learn that with inner strength and strong friendship even the deepest of emotional wounds can be healed.
Celia Norman Smith studied at Brighton Art College for a BA Hons. Art and Design. After working at Mount Cook Sheep Station, New Zealand, she retrained as a shepherd. Living off the land in Scotland also created a passion for writing and drawing. The natural environments and community care of different cultures influenced her life. Now living in Angus, Scotland, she loves wild gardening, wild swimming and being a tad wild herself.