Today we welcome author Melissa Gijsbers to our blog talking about “Lost”.
It’s been a long time since I’ve shared an article here, so thought I should start by introducing myself.
My name is Melissa Gijsbers, I’m an author and write many different things, from picture books to novellas, fiction and non-fiction. I can’t stick to one thing!
Back in 1983, my parents moved to Nepal for three years. My dad was a missionary forester. I was five when we moved there, so I went to school and did all the things that kids do, returning to Australia when I was eight. So much of that early experience shaped my faith.
Earlier this year, 2026, my family returned. It was 40 years after we left, and I travelled with my parents, siblings, sisters-in-law and nephews. There were 13 of us, and it was a crazy trip, but also amazing.
One evening, I had the great honour of being invited to share a story with children at an orphanage in Kathmandu. The orphanage was run by friends of my parents through one of the churches. Me being me, I sat down to write a story. I wrote a version of the parable of the lost sheep, from the point of view of a cheeky sheep. I shared the story and it was translated to Nepali for the kids to enjoy.
As I was reading, I thought it would make a great picture book for kids, and that I would love to publish it and have it translated so these kids could read it.
When we returned to Australia, I got to work with rewrites. As I had written it as a short story, it needed to be rewritten. I then worked with Julieann Wallace from Lilly Pilly Publishing to polish it. I had worked with Julieann before, for my first chapter book and my first picture book.
Julieann also introduced me to Joel Broughton to illustrate the story of Tara, a cheeky sheep who gets lost and is found by the shepherd.
Crowdfunding Campaign
To bring this to life, I have launched a crowdfunding campaign. I would love this story to get in the hands of children and churches to share the story of the parable of the lost sheep.
The crowdfunding campaign will help cover the costs of illustrating and producing Lost. There are a number of rewards available, including an option to receive a copy for yourself and have another donated to a school, church or library.
I’d love your support in helping bring Tara’s story to life and sharing this much-loved parable with a new generation of children.
To support the campaign, go to https://www.pozible.com/profile/melissa-gijsbers