The Lighthouse Keeper's Series
Author & Illustrators: Ronda and David Armitage
Welcome back to the blog! In this series of posts, I am going to share some of my absolute favourite "living" picture books from New Zealand.
You might wonder: Why on earth would I choose Ronda and David Armitage when they are clearly English authors writing about the English coast?
Here is the secret: Ronda is originally from New Zealand. David is from Tasmania but moved to New Zealand, where the couple met and married before moving to England in 1975. So, these books are actually written by ex-pat Kiwis! That definitely counts in my book!
The Lighthouse Keeper Series
The beloved Lighthouse Keeper children's picture book series was created by this talented husband-and-wife team, with Ronda writing the text and David providing the beautiful illustrations. Their very first book, The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch, was published in 1977 and became an instant classic.
In total, there are 12 primary books in the core series (and around 16 works overall, including omnibus editions and special collections). Ronda Armitage also recently published a wonderful new work titled To the End of the World, Far, Far Away in February 2025, though the main Lighthouse Keeper series wrapped up its final installment, The Lighthouse Keeper's Mystery, in 2020.
The Core Series Timeline:
1977: The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch
1986: The Lighthouse Keeper's Catastrophe
1989: The Lighthouse Keeper's Rescue
1993: The Lighthouse Keeper's Picnic
1995: The Lighthouse Keeper's Cat
1999: The Lighthouse Keeper's Favourite Stories (Collection)
2000: The Lighthouse Keeper's Breakfast
2001: The Lighthouse Keeper's Tea
2002: The Lighthouse Keeper's Christmas
2007: The Lighthouse Keeper's New Friend
2009: The Lighthouse Keeper's Surprise
2020: The Lighthouse Keeper's Mystery
What is the series about?
The stories follow a charming husband and wife, Mr and Mrs Grinling, who live in a little white cottage on the cliffs. Mr Grinling is a dedicated lighthouse keeper who rows his dinghy out to the lighthouse every single day to polish the lamp and switch on the light during storms. Back at the cottage, Mrs Grinling cooks delicious meals and bakes mouth-watering treats, which Mr Grinling enjoys immensely. They also share their home with a lovable, stubborn cat named Hamish, who stars in several of the books.
Because Mr Grinling can be a bit stubborn and forgetful, the couple often finds themselves facing unexpected dilemmas. Thankfully, the clever Mrs Grinling always thinks up a brilliant solution. The stories are humorous, innocent, and deeply heartwarming. As the series progresses and Mr Grinling approaches retirement, a young assistant named Sam comes to help and eventually takes over managing the lighthouse.
Why are these "living" books?
The Lighthouse Keeper series perfectly fits Charlotte Mason's definition of a living book for a few key reasons:
High Literary & Artistic Quality: They are beautifully written and gorgeously illustrated, immediately drawing children into the coastal world.
Engaging, Original Plots: Every single story introduces a realistic dilemma that needs to be solved, capturing a child's attention without relying on dry, repetitive language.
Sparking the Imagination: The books treat children with respect, using humour and warmth rather than heavy-handed moral lessons to tell a captivating story.
If you are looking to add rich, wholesome, and delightfully funny literature to your child's bookshelf, this series is highly recommended. Copies are easy to come by in books sales and second-hand shops.
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