TIPS FROM YOUR NANA

It’s not often that you get to say the word nana and über-cool in the same sentence, but that’s the perfect description for the launch of recently published book Tips From Your Nana by TV producer, director and writer, Robyn Paterson.

As befits the celebration for a book that distills the domestic nous of matriarchal wisdom to the next generation, an afternoon tea party was held at the Working Men’s Bowling Club in Wellington’s Newtown. Nanas and granddads, young and old, played lawn bowls in the late afternoon heat and, in traditional ‘nana style’, guests sipped Elderflower Champagne and feasted on asparagus rolls, savoury eggs, lamingtons and scones. Robyn Paterson’s book was officially launched by Children’s Bookshop owner, John McIntyre, to a room packed with 80 folk, including writer Dame Fiona Kidman and TV1’s Good Morning presenter, Steve Gray.

Tips From Your Nana contains indispensable ideas on DIY, gardening, cooking, sewing, handcrafts. It is written in a unique style to appeal to those 20-39 year old urbanites who are seeking to live more self-sufficiently, but lack the basic skills which were common knowledge for previous generations.

The author Robyn Paterson, a 30 something Gen X-er, is an experienced television producer, director and writer. She has written for the popular TV series Facelift, and worked extensively for The Gibson Group. Her own production company Walking on Air Productions has been the winner of several international awards, amongst these were four Best Short Film Awards for her debut comedy Straight Hike for the Butch Dyke.

Robyn believes her childhood spent in Zimbabwe has been responsible for her interest in being more self-sufficient. There, she observed her mother sewing clothes, creating a fan belt for the car, inventing toys from toilet rolls as she coped with the shortages of almost everything.

Tips From Your Nana
Robyn Patterson
Longacre - $36.99