Hop into Easter with author’s new book

When most Rosebud residents hear the name D’Alia, fruit and vegies immediately spring to mind; soon the name will conjure images of bees and bunnies too. Toni D’Alia, whose family own and operate D’Alia’s Fresh Produce in Rosebud, is currently enjoying success as the author of the children’s book Bees Are Our Friends. Now – just in time for Easter – she releases another beautiful publication, The Easter Bunny Hop.

After several years of teaching in primary schools, Toni is currently dedicated to writing full-time, creating stories to entertain young readers as her audience grows across the globe. Bees Are Our Friends, an enchanting picture book published in 2022 by Bright Light and illustrated by Alice Lindstrom, is the first in a series called Our Friends in the Garden; the next instalment is scheduled for launch this year. The book appeals to readers all over the world and has already been translated into Korean and published in the US.

Although she’s no longer teaching, Toni enjoys visiting kindergartens and schools to hold author talks and writing workshops. It always makes her happy to see young people reading and being inspired to dive into their own writing projects, and she’s thrilled when children connect with her stories.

Toni recalls her own passion for reading as a child, when many hours were spent in both her school and public libraries. A love of children’s books motivated her to learn and hone the skills required for publishing in the genre. She’s now enjoying the fruits of her labour as her second picture book hits the shelves.

The idea for The Easter Bunny Hop came to Toni last Easter, inspired by events in her life at the time. The Easter Bunny Hop is gorgeously illustrated by Mimi Purnell and published by Little Hare Books. This rhyming picture book includes a bonus craft activity for children to make their own bunny ears. What fun!

Bound to have young readers dancing with glee, The Easter Bunny Hop is the perfect gift this season. It’s available at various Peninsula bookshops and online.