KALAMUNDA Performing Arts Theatre played host recently for the launch of a young children’s rhyming picture book Bath Ballerina written by Gooseberry Hill author Alaina Watts and illustrated by her mother Robin Lezer.

Ms Watts, who works in Kalamunda’s First Avenue gift shop grew up in Gooseberry Hill and has been living in Lesmurdie for the past twenty years with her four children.

“It’s my debut as a published author and I really want to enjoy the satisfaction of fulfilling this dream right now…but I have more books in me,” she said.

Her mother Robin painted the watercolour illustrations for the book in her Gooseberry Hill home of 42 years.

Before she became an illustrator, she was an accomplished hills artist painting, exhibiting and selling many pieces in oils, watercolour and acrylic, and is well regarded for her work by the local community.

Bath Ballerina is an enchanting rhyming story with universal appeal, as well as being a book with a twist.

“We have all seen the water vortex spiralling down the plughole and heard the suction noise as the last of the bath water drains away. This is the magic of the Bath Ballerina,” Ms Watts said.

Parents will love this book as it encourages children into the bath with the knowledge that something very special is ahead.

Getting kids out of the bath can also be a drama but when they realise they need to hop out of the bath before they can see the Bath Ballerina, the end of bath time can become an easy and magical finale,” she said.

The catchy rhymes and delightful watercolour illustrations will make this lovely book a childhood favourite.

Bath Ballerina will be in local libraries and book shops and is available to order on Amazon, or you can buy the book at the First Avenue Gift shop in Kalamunda where your copy can be signed by the author herself.

Ms Watts will also be reading from her book at the Kalamunda Library on Thursday, March 20 from 10am and Forrestfield Library from 9.30am on Thursday, March 27.