A busy farmer, Harriet Bremner is making an impressive effort to educate others on the importance of farm safety, mental health, and well-being through a series of children’s books
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Harriet Bremner
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While the former primary school teacher’s books are aimed at kids up to 12-year-olds, the messages they portray are relevant to all. With the release of her new book, Wool’s the Word, her efforts have seen her presented with the Rural Champion Awards at the NZI Rural Women NZ Business Awards.
The original idea behind Wool’s the Word was to celebrate the wool industry and enlighten and inform readers about its various aspects. Harriet’s goal was to share her wool story positively, encouraging people to understand the incredible product that currently costs many farmers to shear.
The idea was sparked by years of frustration witnessing wool being underutilised, seeing dog beds and coats being labelled as “fleece” only to discover it’s 100% polyester or plastic fibre.
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Harriet’s no stranger to the hard work that goes hand in hand with farming
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Wool’s the Word follows Pops (inspired by Harriet’s miniature dachshund Pops) as she teaches an unsuspecting character about the wonders of wool and what a true fleece is.
It’s important to Harriet (and New Zealand farmers) that the wool story is told correctly so people can truly understand what goes on inside farms to produce the world’s most sustainable fibre (wool). Harriet wrote her first book in 2017, Bob & Pops, three months after tragically losing her partner in a farming accident.
“I was evaluating what on earth I was going to do at 28 years old after having my life torn apart. The harsh reminder that life is short saw me decide to follow my dreams, which included writing a book and so Bob & Pops was born,” she says.
Despite Harriet yearning to write children’s books for years prior, the hardest part for her was that it took losing her partner to realise her dream – and it felt as though she was putting her heart on the line for the world to critique.
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Pops, the miniature daschund, stars in Harriet’s books
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“If you know deep grief and trauma, you will know that most days it is hard enough to put one foot in front of the other while you are trying to figure out how life is going to be survivable moving forward.”
Bob & Pops is the story of a friendship and a memorial to James (Bob) so that he is never forgotten.
Harriet’s second book, Be Safe, Be Seen is focused on a practical approach to safety on farms.
Her third book Use Your Voice is an award-winning book that has been recognised by the Mental Health Foundation of NZ as a resource for teachers and parents. The story is used to spark conversation about well-being and mental health in children and adults and is an easy way to get started on those sometimes tricky and unknown conversations.
Harriet’s series features her best friend and loyal companion, Pops. She describes her as a sausage dog “with the heart of a lion, the bark of a Doberman, and the legs of an otter.” Pops feature in Harriet’s life in every way possible, whether it’s in the sheep yards, shopping, or tucked in a backpack while Harriet skis. Pops’ entertaining personality makes for a brilliant character in her books and if anyone has considered owning a dachshund, Harriet highly recommends it, as she says they are full of love and their hardcase mannerisms and goofy bodies are highly amusing.
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The rural landscape holds a special place in Harriet’s heart
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Harriet’s books are illustrated by Dana Johnston. Harriet and Dana were both living in Hakataramea Valley, where Dana was well known as an artist and sign writer. Harriet read her the draft for Bob & Pops and asked if she wanted to have a crack at illustrating a children’s book.
To Harriet’s delight, she said yes and there were tears and hugs all around. Harriet says their relationship is a two-way street, with Dana often weighing ideas and potential ways a character can look. She says the respect between them is paramount and they know they have each other’s best interests at heart.
The greatest joy Harriet gets from the books is when she receives photos of children reading and engaging with them and the feedback that follows.
She says the conversations and the time we spend reading with children is something we should not take for granted, as a good book can take them to a whole new world in their imagination.
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Harriet’s books are a fun read with important messages threaded throughout
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Harriet has plans for future books involving Pops, along with plenty of drafts. As much as she would like to share them, for now, she has decided to keep those under her hat and enjoy the release of her latest book.
Harriet is a passionate advocate of driving conversations around health, safety, and wellbeing in rural communities. She thrives on talking to groups of adults to tackle the myth, It will never happen to me.
“We have all thought it, yet we brush it off and think those awful things only happen to other people. Unfortunately, this is not the case. It can happen to anyone at any time, and it is usually the thing that we do all the time that gets us. A wrong decision in a moment, not only ends your life but affects the lives of those left behind to deal with the aftermath for the rest of theirs.”
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