As a parent in the Australian Defence Force, you understand that your child’s life is a unique journey filled with bold moves, new beginnings and deep emotions. Sea Sky Land Books are heartfelt children’s books designed to inspire and support your young adventurer.

Meet Anthony, the steadfast Navy Ship who leads with courage; Kirra, the warm Navy Helicopter always ready with a kind word; Jett, the spirited Air Force Plane soaring with confidence; and Ollie, the resilient Army Tank conquering any terrain. Together, they weave vibrant tales—sailing to distant ports, flying to new bases, and rumble through the outback—reflecting the challenges of postings, exercises and deployments, whilst celebrating the strength of friendship.

Crafted with Defence children in mind, Sea Sky Land fosters your child’s courage and pride in your family’s service. With evocative words and colorful illustrations, they provide comfort and connection, like a warm hug, in story form. Perfect for shared reading, sparking laughter and helping children navigate the unique experiences of postings and deployments. These books are cherished companions and an educational tool, for your child’s journey which honours the resilience of Defence families.

Anthony (Tony) Kellerman served ten years in the Royal Australian Navy, beginning as an Air Technical Weapons Ordnance sailor at Naval Air Station Nowra. Early in his training, he found his calling in radar operations and qualified as a Radar Plotter/Combat Systems Operator. For seven years, he served aboard HMAS Swan, HMAS Hobart, HMAS Brisbane, and HMAS Darwin, as well as nearly two years on torpedo recovery vessels Taylor and Trevally.

During his final three years of service, Tony’s young son, also named Anthony, keenly felt his father’s absence during deployments. Inspired by this personal experience, Tony dedicated the next decade to creating stories for Defence Force families. His Sea, Sky, Land book series was crafted to help children navigate the emotional challenges of having a parent deployed, transferred, or away on duty. This is the story of a sailor’s steadfast service and a father’s heartfelt commitment to supporting military families through inspiring storytelling.

Melissa Ramsbottom is a professional Graphic Designer and accomplished artist whose creative journey was sparked by her grandmother, a talented watercolour artist who painted landscapes from an early age. Inspired by her grandmother’s teachings, Melissa honed her skills in drawing and painting during her early years, laying a strong foundation in traditional techniques. As a teenager, her curiosity led her to explore digital art and airbrushing, opening new avenues for creative expression.

With 18 years of experience as a Graphic Designer in Educational Publishing and an additional 15 years in advertising agencies, Melissa’s professional expertise has profoundly shaped her artistic practice, infusing her work with a keen sense of composition, visual clarity, dynamic design and use of colour. Influenced by the vibrant works of Australian artists across diverse mediums, she continued to experiment and evolve her practice. Today, she primarily works with digital art and acrylics, producing bold, colourful botanical illustrations and scenic landscapes.

Photography plays a significant role in her creative process, often integrated into her digital compositions using Photoshop. Recently, Melissa has expanded her portfolio to include military-themed art, focusing on Airforce and Naval pieces, with Army pieces currently in development, reflecting her ongoing exploration of new subjects.

A dedicated member of her local Art Society, Melissa actively participates in art exhibitions and engages with the creative community. Through her work, Melissa seeks to create visually compelling and personally meaningful art that invites viewers to experience the world through a fresh perspective, celebrating the boundless possibilities of visual storytelling.