Your Special Garden ‘Sleep Tight’, Christine’s first book, is more than a story; it is a thoughtfully designed tool that nurtures a sense of safety at bedtime, supporting children to calm their minds and experience a peaceful night’s sleep.
Every life is shaped by a unique story. Christine’s began in Melbourne in the 1950s, growing up in a loving home where her mother stayed at home with the children and her father worked tirelessly, sometimes holding up to five jobs at a time, to support the family. Despite the challenges, these were happy, secure years that laid a strong foundation for the person she would become.
Years later, that sense of certainty was quietly disrupted. In 1980, Christine married, and following the birth of her second child, her life took an unexpected turn. At a time when postnatal depression was rarely recognised or openly discussed, she identified the signs in herself. The experience profoundly changed her. She became more serious, often feeling lost, overwhelmed by tears, and gradually overtaken by self-doubt. Yet, as difficult as this period was, it also marked the beginning of a journey of deep self-discovery.
During this time, Christine spent many nights visiting her maternal grandmother while her husband remained at home with the children. Slowly, she began to speak more openly with her Nan about how she was feeling and to admit that she was struggling. These conversations brought great relief. Her grandmother simply listened, never judging, allowing Christine the space to cry and feel heard.
On one such visit, as it was time to leave, her Nan gave her a book, an old volume from the 1930s that offered a different perspective on the whys of life. This small but meaningful gesture marked the beginning of Christine’s road to recovery.
After her grandmother passed away, Christine turned to writing. She began pouring her emotions into poetry, typing through tears and allowing her thoughts to flow freely from the deepest parts of her soul. By the end of each poem, she felt a sense of lightness, as though the sadness, anger or fear she carried had been gently lifted.
In 1994, Christine attended a workshop that concluded with a guided meditation. Having never experienced meditation before, she trusted the process, followed the presenter’s voice, and found herself in another profound, life-changing moment. She was guided to a place in her mind she came to call her ‘Special Garden’, a space where she felt safe and at peace.
Over the years, Christine learned to adapt and deepen this practice, discovering how powerful quietening the mind was to her sense of wellbeing. Eventually, she wondered whether this experience could also benefit her children. She began introducing them to their own Special Garden, creating bedtime journeys and encouraging them to add their own details along the way. She was delighted by how easily they embraced the idea and how, over time, they learned to use their gardens independently to support a peaceful night’s sleep.
After the death of Christine’s mother, she encouraged her children to use their Special Garden as a place to connect with their grandmother – to see her, talk with her and simply enjoy her presence. These nightly conversations gave them a safe space to express their emotions while maintaining a sense of connection and cherishing happy memories.
Christine believes it is important for each of us to find our own path to healing, but if there is one tool that both children and adults can benefit from, it is discovering a place of safety within their own Special Garden.
Christine has three adult children and eight grandchildren. She worked in Special Education for 25 years before retiring. Her experience developing Social Stories for children on the autism spectrum inspired her to create her books. Writing Your Special Garden ‘Sleep Tight’ has been a deeply meaningful experience. Her children have long shared stories of their Special Gardens with her, and now her grandchildren do the same, continuing to inspire the stories and illustrations that bring this gentle concept to life.
For enquiries, email Christine here.