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Riley, Kim
Writer's File

Kim Riley

Northland - Te Tai Tokerau
Riley, Kim
In brief
Kim Riley is an experienced farmer and writer of children’s books. Riley was inadvertently rescued from drowning by Cow 569 during a flood in the Manawatu and her first book was based on this colorful experience. At the time of the rescue, Cow 569 was pregnant, and the calf, Tuggy Buoy, became the inspiration for Riley’s second book.
Bio

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Riley, Kim (1961 - ) is a farmer, and a children’s book writer. She was born in Stratford, and has been a sheep and beef farmer for over twenty years, as well as a bus driver and teacher’s aide for six years.

In February 2004, Riley was inadvertently rescued from drowning by Cow 569 during the Manawatu floods. Soon after, she was approached to write a book based on her experience, and this book has now sold over 10,000 copies. Cow Power (Random House, 2004) is written with ‘clear-eyed candour [making] this book…a winner.’ (Sunday Star Times, 10/10/2004)

At the time of the rescue, Cow 569 was pregnant, and several months later gave birth to Tuggy Buoy, who became the inspiration for Riley’s second book Baby Cow Power (Random House, 2005).