Seed and Sage
Where storytelling becomes legacy
Nuturing stories from seeds to timeless wisdom - where kindred spirits weave golden threads - Books created with heart - experiences created with soul
Daisy Lane Author Spotlight
Lauren Hackney
PANDA
Lauren Hackney is a Queensland-based author and screenwriter who began writing stories with her children in 2020 after her aviation career ended and her husband suffered a near-fatal heart attack. What began as a healing journey turned into a creative path, culminating in her internationally sold chapter book The Lolly Shop, which she has since adapted into an award-winning animated screenplay. Many stories have followed in forms of picture books, novels and screenplays in spanning many genres. Family, animation, drama and romantic comedy.
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Lauren's storytelling blends heart, humour, and a touch of magic - often inspired by family, the bond they share, and resilience. She is also the host of a YouTube interview series spotlighting authors and creatives across the literary world.
Book Review: Panda by Jessica S Early Years Educator
Written by Lauren Hackney | Illustrated by Emma Hay
Publisher: Seed & Sage Publishing | Release: September 2026
There are picture books that entertain, and then there are picture books that quietly do the work of helping a child understand themselves. Panda belongs firmly in the second camp — and for early years educators, that makes it a genuine classroom asset rather than just a lovely story.At its heart, Panda follows a black-and-white cow who is utterly convinced she is a dog. It's a premise young children find immediately funny and immediately relatable — because what child hasn't, at some point, felt like they didn't quite fit the label everyone else assumed for them? Lauren Hackney handles this with a light touch, never letting the emotional weight of the story overwhelm its warmth or humour.
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Emma Hay's illustrations do a beautiful job of carrying that same balance: expressive, gentle, and full of the kind of visual detail that rewards a second and third read-aloud. Why it belongs in the early years classroom. For preschool and early years educators, Panda offers an accessible entry point into some genuinely important social-emotional learning territory — identity, self-perception, and belonging — without ever feeling like a "lesson" dressed up as a story. Children are drawn in by Panda's confusion and charm long before they realise they're being invited to think about bigger questions: Who gets to decide who I am? What happens when I don't fit the box others expect?This makes it a natural fit for circle time discussions on individuality and acceptance, for units exploring emotions and self-concept, and for gently opening conversations about difference — all without singling any child out or making the topic feel heavy. The read-aloud rhythm and repetition support early literacy goals too, so it earns its place on the shelf both as a story-time favourite and as a purposeful teaching tool.
The takeaway for educators - Panda trusts children with a real question — and trusts educators to know that the best social-emotional learning often comes wrapped in a story a child simply wants to hear again. It's warm, funny, and very much worth a spot in any early years reading list this September. Recommended for: Preschool – Early Primary (ages 3–7)
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Themes: Identity, self-acceptance, belonging, individuality, friendship, anti-bullying
Kym Langfield - author illustrator founder Splashes and Puddles
Hello there! My name is Kym Langfield. You may
recognise me as one of the creators of the
wonderful magazine, “Inspiring Minds.”
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I am a published author and illustrator, and
diploma-trained in “Illustrating Children’s Books.”
This year, my first picture book as both author and
illustrator was released with Daisy Lane,
titled “Splash!” which shares the joy and healing power of creating art, as well as the importance of friendship.
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I am also a primary school teacher of 23 years. I have had the absolute privilege of working with hundreds of children across all year levels. I taught specialist areas such as visual arts, literacy intervention and PE, and have recently enjoyed a Mental Health and Wellbeing role, including supporting our amazing Koorie students.
Splash! Kym Langfield
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Reviewed by Karen Hendriks - Children's author, Books in Homes Ambassador
Kym Langfield is a published author and illustrator, with books including Solo Dan (Daisy Lane Publishing) and Ah-Fur: The Case of the Missing Moggies (Morris Publishing). With a diploma in children's book illustration, Kym loves using vibrant watercolours. She is also a teacher and a qualified counsellor, working in Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Dark clouds follow Lucy everywhere she goes. That is, until a bright splash of paint lands at her feet, and Abby invites her to Art Club. There, Lucy discovers the joy of art and learns to explore the world through colours.
Kym Langfield has created a compelling opening that beautifully introduces the main character and her problem:
"Rainclouds followed Lucy everywhere she went. Mum and dad tried everything to cheer her up. Skipper tried too.
But nothing worked."
Her words seamlessly complement her illustrations, working together poetically and visually. The page turns are inviting, and the writing is tight. The theme of friendship is woven throughout the story. I love how Abby is a friend who not only recognizes Lucy’s anxiety but also helps her navigate it in a thoughtful, kind way. I appreciate that Lucy’s internal dialogue is explored just as much as her external dialogue.
It’s the things we tell ourselves that can hold us back, and this is captured beautifully in the text. The comparison of dark thoughts to clouds is both powerful and visually striking. The dialogue is spot-on—simple and child-friendly. The story arc is clear and strong, and the text naturally introduces helpful ways to deal with anxiety, like when Lucy "takes a deep breath and races over to Abby." The idea of seeing the world with colour instead of darkness is a powerful message.
Langfield has created a striking cover for Splash! with the use of blue and a shy Lucy exploring colour on her hand, wordlessly conveying the essence of the book. The use of dark shades effectively shows that Lucy is in a dark place. The large black cloud over her head is powerful—it instantly communicates that no matter what she does, the cloud follows her. The bright splash of yellow captures a pivotal moment in the story. I love the double-page spread of the students in the art room, where the only colours used are greys with splashes of yellow. Visually, this tells the reader so much. Yellow, being a colour associated with happiness, is a perfect choice here.
Langfield’s use of perspective, zooming in and out on the pages, strongly enhances the visual storytelling. The contrasts between the heaviness and lightness of feelings are beautifully represented through the colours. The illustrations perfectly mirror Lucy’s emotions. Once colour is introduced, the book comes to life with vibrancy and joy. The silent double-page spread of a colourful rainbow speaks volumes without words. It’s a moment where the illustrations say so much more than words ever could.
Splash! is a multi-layered picture book, perfect for every child’s bookshelf, classroom, counsellor, parent, artist, and librarian. It teaches that there’s always light after darkness, offering hope, strategies, and the healing power of art and friendship. Ideal for children aged 4 to 8, its vibrant illustrations and relatable themes of anxiety and friendship make it a perfect choice for young readers and a valuable resource for discussing emotional well-being.