By day Gary Nelson works as a change manager in the Change Team at Waikato District Health Board.

But for several years now, whenever Gary has a moment to himself he has also been hard at work writing popular books for children titled Project Kids Adventures Series.

Project Kids Adventure series creator and Waikato DHB Change Team manager Gary Nelson. Photo: Waikato DHB

The series teaches children practical life skills and general project management concepts like planning, breaking down tasks into manageable bits, and working with people.

These books are aimed at young readers aged 8-12 and presents the information in a fun, full-length children's novel format.

Gary says he's always enjoyed writing and teaching, and after publishing his first story-based project management book for adults, was challenged to write similar books for middle-school aged children.

His first attempt saw him heavily re-write the first few chapters many times, based on feedback from his 'young editors” – Gary's sons, aged nine and 10.

Their feedback included tips like: 'You can't do that, Dad – you can't start the adventure in the first chapter. You have to introduce the characters more first!”

The Amazing Science Fair Project, which is the third book in the series, was recently released, and is being translated into Portuguese later this year.

For more information about Project Kids Adventures visit the series' website at: www.projectkidsadventures.com