Zoe Tapply pens children’s book

ZOE Tapply, well-known in Alexandra as one of the lollipop ladies at the primary schools, has written a brand-new book for children, Poetry for Littlies: Imagination + Reading are Precious Things.

She explained, “I’ve always loved drawing. Always been able to write poetry at the drop of the hat. Somebody gives me something and I’ll just sit down and write something straight away.”

This isn’t Zoe’s first book but it’s her first book for children. With this book, her focus is on the importance of children reading and not being on tablets and on phones. “It’s really important for children to use their imagination. Going back to my childhood, with everything I did like being read to, playing outside, imagining houses with a bit of dirt and a broom. You can make anything,” Zoe said.

She later commented that her favourite books when she was growing up were The Secret Garden and Alice in Wonderland.

She added, “Children’s innocence is taken away really because they don’t have that imagination. It’s not going to turn things around, but it might help a few children. And if I can help a few children well and good.”

The book is recommended for children aged up to seven, because these are the years that Zoe feels are really important. She’s given copies of the book to the local schools so it can be included in their libraries.

She’s also given a copy to the Alexandra library.

Zoe has previously written a book on youth care because she was a youth worker where she likened everything to movies and music. She said, “People think youth work is just…