Imi’s Sore Tooth by Nicola Obertik

Meet Nikki: A Passionate Children’s Author, Educator, and Artistic Mom

My name is Nicola Obertik, though most people call me Nikki. I’m very lucky to have been able to write and illustrate six children’s books. I’ve been teaching and working with children in the Foundation Phase for over 20 years. I have always been interested in books and art for children. I am 47 years old, married and have 2 beautiful girls, aged 14 and 17. Both my children are artistic and often help inspire my work.

Engaging Young Minds: Using Books and Art to Inspire Critical Thinking and Creativity

When teaching I would often introduce a lesson or theme using a book. I love using the illustrations to capture children’s imaginations and I would try and make sure that the books I used promoted critical thinking, taught the children something new, as well as being entertaining.

Celebrating Diversity Through Imagination: Introducing African Fairies Inspired by Our Unique Wildlife

When having ‘dress-up’ days at school, many of the children dressed as fairies and I felt it would be perfect if there were African Fairies that the children could dress up as, showing cultural diversity. While I am aware that fairies are not really part of African culture, with cultures intermingling in our rainbow nation, I thought it would be wonderful to create a series, focusing on the unique wildlife in our country and mingling it with an element of fantasy. 

An African Fairy Adventure: Teaching Children About Wildlife, Kindness, and the Beauty of Co-Existence

These stories also aim to teach children about caring and helping others so that all benefit. They inform children about our wildlife, the different landscapes, bio-diversity and how we all co-exist in nature. While each story is ‘An African Fairy Adventure’ and has a theme and different animals, they can also be read as standalone books.

Inspiring Young Creators: How My Children’s Books Sparked Creativity in My Daughters and Readers Alike

My journey and illustrating children’s books have inspired my own daughters to write and draw and illustrate, this is one of the best compliments and author can receive. When I wrote my first book, a mother told me that I had inspired her daughter to try and write her own children’s book, she sent me her drawings and her ideas. This is a memory that I hold dear. My first book was printed in 2019 and I am thrilled to share it with Authors’ Lounge.

Imi’s Sore Tooth: An African Fairy Adventure—Join the Fairies as They Solve Imi the Hippo’s Dental Dilemma and Discover the Wonders of Wildlife

‘Imi’s Sore Tooth- An African Fairy Adventure Book’ is the first of a series of books about South African wildlife who encounter problems and with the help of the African Fairies find a solution.

The African Fairies have a problem…

Imi the hippo has a sore tooth.

Find out how the fairies work together to help Imi and some other African wildlife.

In ‘Imi’s Sore Tooth’, Imi the hippo has problems with her teeth, they are covered in algae, ticks and parasites. She is too sore and frightened to let anyone help her. The African Fairies need to find a way to assist her even though they can’t get near her. The fairies also need to help some poor baby birds. This book also highlights the symbiotic relationship that oxpecker birds have with hippos. 

The book is aimed at children between the ages of 4 and 9. The pictures are hand drawn, full colour spreads. Appealing for children to look at and hold. There is also a poem at the end of the book which can be used to teach rhyming and reinforce the lessons taught in the book. This book is also a great way to introduce a discussion about dental hygiene.

All books are available in print and as e-book on Amazon.

Free Downloadable activities are available on my website. Please take a look at my website or follow me on my facebook page .