Our picture books
All the animals in the books are real life characters who live on the farm.
The Adventures at Hidden Valley Farm
The Adventures at Hidden Valley Farm series is written especially for early learners and brings to life the heartwarming stories of the animals who call our sanctuary home.
Authored by Claire Hutt (Clairecrow, a dear friend of the sanctuary) and Terri Everett (Farmer Terri, proprietor of the sanctuary), each book is inspired by real animals and their adventures at Hidden Valley Farm.
The series so far
Derek the Hungry Sheep
The first book in The Adventures at Hidden Valley Farm series is inspired by the antics of Derek the Sheep.
Derek is hungry, friendly, and oh so cheeky – always on the lookout for more food! He starts his day with breakfast alongside his friend Babs the goat… but one feed is never enough. Follow Derek as his tummy leads him into a day full of fun and mischief.
Babs Goes to the Fair
Come along with Babs the goat as she heads off to a local school fair with her friends, Derek the sheep and two cheeky miniature ponies, Pixi and Nellie.
Farmer Terri sets up a cozy play area filled with hay and treats, but Babs has her eyes on something else… As she watches the children laughing, playing, and exploring, Babs thinks: “I want to do what they’re doing!” And just like that, her mischievous adventure begins!
Full of fun, surprises, and a little goat mischief, this heartwarming story is based on Babs’s real-life trip to the fair in 2022.
Ready for print, sponsor needed
Sponsorship needed
Tilly’s Silly Sports Day
The whole farm is herded together by Tilly the farm dog for a fun-filled day of giggles and jiggles at the Hidden Valley Farm Sports Day!
This third adventure in The Adventures at Hidden Valley Farm series introduces a new illustrator and fresh book format – but with the same excitement, charm, and loveable characters you already know and enjoy.
Currently in development, this story will introduce a new illustrator to the series. We are looking for a publishing sponsor. Pre-orders are especially important to help us bring Tilly’s adventures to life and get this book to the publisher.
How to purchase or pre-order
Direct from the farm
Stop by Hidden Valley Farm Sanctuary and purchase onsite. Visits are by appointment only.
Call Terri 027 526 8771 →- Motueka isite
- Rural Services Centre, Takaka
- Nelson Classic Car Museum
- Motueka Floral Studio
- Frasers Orchard
- Kathy Bee
Meet the authors
The Adventures at Hidden Valley Farm children’s storybook series is lovingly written by Claire (aka Clairecrow), one of our regular volunteers and sponsors, together with Terri (aka Farmer Terri), the proprietor of Hidden Valley Farm Sanctuary.
Each book is inspired by the real-life adventures of the animals who live at the sanctuary. With playful storytelling and gentle lessons, these tales invite children into a world of curiosity, kindness, and farmyard fun.
The first two stories are beautifully illustrated by Julie Davies of Joolzart, a talented local artist and close friend of Claire and Terri, who brings each animal’s personality to life with her vibrant water colours.
Printed locally by Copy Press in Nelson, the books are proudly distributed through this site, with profits going directly toward the care and husbandry of the farm pets who call Hidden Valley home.
