Norfolk gran inspired by African childhood for hit book
Added: (Fri Feb 25 2022)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Childhood memories from the African bush have helped a Norfolk grandmother reach the top three in the book charts.
Lina Leite relocated to the UK from her native South Africa almost 30 years ago.
But the languages teacher and translator has used her youthful days of dodging dangerous animals around her aunt’s rural home as inspiration for her new children’s book.
The Jungle Party follows the fortunes of a baby elephant and lion cub who rely on each other after becoming lost during a flood.
Lina said: “I got the idea for writing The Jungle Party after telling my grandchildren about my life in the African bush.
“I had an aunt who lived in the Maputo area in Mozambique in the 1960s and when we visited, all the children would have lots of fun running away from alligators, monkeys and at night the hyenas.
“We were terrified but at the same time we loved it.
“We were all teenagers, and life was exciting.
“Once the holidays were over and we returned to South Africa we used our experience to write essays and talk to the class about our experience.
“Everybody loved our stories and all this time later, so do my grandchildren.”
Beautifully illustrated and delightfully paced, The Jungle Party is the perfect book about friendship for all youngsters.
Lina, who lives close to Sandringham, officially retired last year from her full-time work as a translator to concentrate on writing.
Although the multilingual 67-year-old still offers language lessons, she now writes for around four hours every morning.
Lina, whose favourite novel is To Kill a Mockingbird, is currently working on a further five children’s books.
She believes her disciplined writing schedule and strong work ethic has come from twice in life having to start over.
She explained: “I am proud that I have had the ability to start over from nothing, twice.
“I went from being a high-end PA and translator in South Africa to working in a supermarket in England.
“I worked nights at the supermarket, and during the day I did translations and some private language tuition – I slept for around four hours a day.
“I am also proud that I had the courage to put myself out there and publish my first book five years ago, and to carry on writing.
“Now that I am retired, I look forward to writing much more.”
For more information visit Amazon and search for Lina Leite, where the Kindle and paperback versions of The Jungle Party are available.
Notes to the Editor
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