General News
21 October, 2026
Tablelands couple celebrate their children’s book launch
MORE than 60 children and their families gathered at Mareeba Library to celebrate the launch of a new children’s book series inspired by the hilarious real-life adventures of a local farming family.
It was a morning of laughter, storytelling and even a special four-legged visitor when local authors and entrepreneurs Jo and Jason Case officially launched The Adventures of the Greedy Goat Homestead, at Mareeba Library on 28 September.
Inspired by true events and featuring the couple’s own animals from their Malanda property, the books introduce young readers to the wonderfully unpredictable world of Australian farm life.
The series begins with The Day of the Greedy Goats, which follows Penny, a mischievous goat whose determination to reach her breakfast leaves Farmer Jo in a rather unfortunate predicament.
The second instalment, The Day of the Bouncy Cow, introduces Marilyn, an energetic cow whose playful personality turns a seemingly simple farming task into another unforgettable adventure.
Both books combine humour, engaging illustrations and authentic rural experiences to encourage children to develop a love of reading while discovering the joys and occasional chaos of farm life.
Adding to the excitement of the launch was a very special guest: Pixel, a friendly goat from the Mareeba Animal Refuge. Accompanied by his handler, Julia, Pixel delighted the audience.
For Jo and Jason Case, storytelling is another chapter in their growing family business.
Their Greedy Goat Homestead is a family-owned enterprise built around the couple’s passion for animals, food and sustainable rural living.
They also make handcrafted sauces and marinades which have developed into an expanding business, with their products now available through more than 40 stockists.
They also recently received a gold medal for their Balsamic Beetroot Relish and a silver medal for their Smokey BBQ Sauce at the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian Food Awards, in their first entry into the national competition.
For Jo and Jason, however, the inspiration behind their enterprise remains unchanged: their animals, their homestead and the wonderfully unpredictable adventures that make every day memorable.
Through the adventures of Penny, Marilyn and the other animals, the couple hopes to share their experiences and inspire a new generation of readers.
Readers and customers can follow Greedy Goat Homestead through its social media channels, meet Jo and Jason at local markets and taste-testing events, or explore their growing range of products online at their Greedy Goat Homestead website.
Both children’s books are published by Bowerbird Publishing at https://www.crystalleonardi.com/ and are available in print and digital formats.
