So many children are fascinated by minibeasts, but there is not much information available for them that is specifically about our local invertebrates.

Ventnor writer Christine Grayden has followed up her 2023 children's story book, "The Lost Blanket", with a non-fiction book titled "Minibeasts of Phillip Island Millowl. Land insects, spiders, molluscs and crustaceans".

The new book is packed with beautiful and fascinating images taken on the island by local photographers, and enough facts and description to satisfy children's interest in the bizarre, amazing and gruesome.

Christine said she had great fun researching, writing and laying out the book, which has been printed locally on 100 per cent recycled paper.

She was helped in her research by her husband John Eddy, who is well-known locally for his broad environmental knowledge and field experience.

John is also among 16 locals to donate the 110 photos featured in the book, for which Christine is extremely grateful.

Local graphic artist Christine Larsen also donated the use of her base map of Phillip Island Millowl, which shows some great free places on the island to explore for minibeasts.

Christine wrote and illustrated "The Lost Blanket" as her 70th birthday fundraiser. The resulting donations and proceeds of the book sales raised over $1000 for UNICEF.

This time, part of the proceeds from the sale of the Minibeasts book will be donated to the Penguin Foundation to contribute to their research and other projects.

Christine hopes this will be the first of a series of Phillip Island Millowl minibeast books, and has plans to produce a local 'rockpool minibeasts' book later this year.

"Minibeasts of Phillip Island Millowl. Land insects, spiders, molluscs and crustaceans" is available at Turn the Page Bookshop in Cowes for $19.99.

"The Lost Blanket" is also available there, and remains a fundraiser for UNICEF. 

You can read more about Christine and her writing, plus her roundup of Bass Coast writing events, on her website: www.christinegrayden.com.au/