A Te Puna boy who turned his Year 4 school speech at Omokoroa No.1 Primary School into a fun and loveable children's book is set to officially share his creation with budding young readers.

Written by now-10-year-old Aedan Smart and available online from www.chooice.co.nz, ‘Bob the Prawn' is an amusing tale about the circle of life under the sea.

Suitable for children up to eight years of age, the book follows Bob the Prawn, Sammie the Snapper, and Marino the Mako Shark as they encounter nature's lively aquatic lifecycle.

Written in 2020, when he was eight, Aeden's speech was a firm favourite with fellow classmates, eventually taking him through to the finals. Now aged 10, Aedan sold out his first print run of 150 copies in 2021 and can proudly call himself a self-made publisher.

'Mum always thought my speech would make a good book,” says Aedan. 'Then when we got stuck at home during lockdown last year; we had lots of spare time so decided to give it a go.”

Snapped up

The first print run was snapped up last Christmas by family, friends, and connections for Santa sacks nationwide. Copies even made their way to young patients spending Christmas in Starship children's hospital.

Featuring themes of diversity, conservation and storylines that promote a love of reading, Bob has quickly become a firm favourite with young fans and their parents. Their encouragement and feedback have given Aedan the confidence to print a second run.

Aedan Smart with Omokoroa No.1 School principal Craig Pentecost. Photo: Supplied.

Modifying the original speech into a book meant some of the content was adapted to appeal to wider audiences, although much of the original speech and characters remain. Finding an affordable way of illustrating the story was made easy thanks to the online freelance app Fiverr. Collaborating with one of their popular children's book illustrators Tuly Akter, ‘Bob the Prawn' was translated with beautiful visuals into a bright and colourful underwater themed book.

Aedan has a passion for the outdoors. He loves fishing, hunting, the Black Caps and is also an aspiring young karting driver.

Creative flair

Owner of one of New Zealand's most-loved outdoor brands Stoney Creek, Brent McConnell, was also happy to support Aedan's endeavours.

'We are forever on the hunt for innovative new ways of thinking that inspires a passion for the outdoors,” says Brent. 'Aedan has used his creative flair to think outside of the box. It's a great skill to have. No doubt he will inspire other Kiwi kids to get out and enjoy fishing in our great outdoors.”

Aedan Smart pictured with one of his big catches from summer 2021/2022. Photo: Supplied.

Recently, ‘Bob the Prawn' has been busy swimming its way across international borders.

In September, copies of the book were presented to potential future exchange students in Japan and Korea – courtesy of Aedan's school principal Craig Pentecost. Craig featured in the original school speech but was ceremoniously ‘dumped' in favour of the book's published teacher Ms Snappity-Snap.

'‘Bob the Prawn' has taken the traditional school speech to a new level of excitement for students,” says Craig. 'Using authentic content in a different context, Aedan has applied his speech writing to opportunities outside of the classroom on a pathway with a global platform. It has inspired other students to think differently about their own creative writing.”

Earlier this year Aedan donated $550 raised from his first round of book sales to the school. It was a much appreciated donation at a time many fundraising events had to be cancelled. Copies of the book are now a popular loan in the school library.

He is planning on using the profits from his book sales to help support his passion and participation in karting.

With another Christmas fast approaching Bob the Prawn is the perfect Santa Sack filler. A second print run of 100 books is available to buy online with Kiwi owned global marketplace www.chooice.co.nz.

Find Aedan and Bob the Prawn on social @aedansmart and @bobtheprawn

To purchase the book, visit online store chooice.co.nz and search Bob the Prawn or click on https://chooice.co.nz/product/bob-the-prawn-childrens-book/.