Canberra author Jacqueline de Rose-Ahern’s life growing up serves as the inspiration behind her children’s book series, Ariana Treasure.

The first two books have been released, with the remaining four to be released sporadically throughout the year.

“The Ariana Treasure books are based in a thrift shop, her mum works there and she helps her friends find the perfect items,” de Rose-Ahern said.

“Growing up, my mother would volunteer at a thrift shop.”

de Rose-Ahern said she visited her mother at the shop, which taught her about things like sustainability, from a young age.

“I also like the thrill of the hunt when it comes to preloved shopping and how something someone might not find useful anymore is for someone else,” she said.

de Rose-Ahern also drew inspiration from her now 10-year-old daughter, also named Ariana.

“She’s also inspired me a bit to write that character,” she said.

“She’s always trying to find things for her friends to cheer her up and help to solve problems.”

Ariana also sat with her as she wrote the books.

“I tend to eat a lot of chocolate when I write, so she kept on bringing me lots of chocolate, which is really kind of her,” de Rose-Ahern said.

“The character’s name wasn’t going to be Ariana – it was originally going to be Abigail.

“I got her to read the stories and she said, ‘I love the books Mum, but I think the character has to have my name’.

“She gives me very critical feedback.”

The international award-winning author said releasing the books was magical.

“I think every book I get to hold in my hands from writing them is such a special experience,” she said.

“I went to The Book Cow in Kingston for an event a few weeks back and I got to see the books there. It was such a special experience to feel and hold them and think about that whole year of editing and waiting for them to come.

“It’s been really beautiful.”

In the Ariana Treasure early reader series (for children aged 6-8), there are always problems to solve and fun to be had.

Ariana often saves the day with her quick thinking and thoughtful spirit, with the stories exploring friendship, families, diversity, courage and sustainability.

de Rose-Ahern said she always wanted to be an author.

“It’s been a childhood dream of mine since I was very young,” she said.

“I used to always write and draw pictures then staple the books.

“But I veered off course and when I had my daughter and started reading a lot to her then that reignited my passion for children’s literature and my childhood dream.”

de Rose-Ahern said children’s books were magical because they showed how clever and resourceful children were.

“Children are often the centre of the stories and they’re the ones solving the problems and making the adults in their lives see things from a different perspective,” she said.

“So, there’s a bit of magic in all children’s books which I find uplifting and inspiring.”

The author said while she loved writing children’s books, she was working on stories targeted towards 16-year-olds.

Books one and two of the Ariana Treasure series will be launched at The Book Cow, Kingston on 22 March from 2-3pm. Tickets are available at events.humanitix.com/book-launch-the-ariana-treasure-series-books-1-and-2-by-jacqueline-de-rose-ahern.

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