Jane lives on a cattle property with her husband Brett and continues to draw inspiration from the people, animals and landscapes that shape life in the Australian bush.
Through her storytelling, Jane hopes to help children connect with animals, embrace their imagination and discover the joy that can be found in everyday adventures.
Jane's debut book "Rita the Muster Pup" is inspired by a real border collie living in Central QLD whose playful, energetic personality has captured the hearts of readers young and old.
Discover the Book
Real stories. Real dogs.
Real Australian heart.
The idea for Rita the Muster Pup began with sixteen border collie puppies.
When two sister dogs had litters just days apart, the family suddenly found themselves surrounded by playful, mischievous pups. Stories of their adventures quickly became family favourites, and one pup in particular stood out from the crowd. Her name was Rita.
What started as a simple idea in a notebook eventually became a published children's book, bringing together Jane's love of animals, storytelling and life on the land.
Today, Rita continues to inspire children to embrace their imagination and discover the joy that can be found in everyday adventures.
Meet the Author
Jane Kinnon
Jane Kinnon is a Queensland cattle producer, grandmother and children's author from Central Queensland.
Raised in a rural community and surrounded by animals from an early age, Jane has spent most of her life working with cattle, horses and working dogs. After leaving school at 15, she began working for her local veterinarian and developed a lifelong passion for animal care and rural life.
For years, Jane carried story ideas in notebooks and scraps of paper, imagining ways to share her world with her grandchildren and other children growing up far from the farm.
Inspired by a real border collie named Rita, she finally decided to turn one of those ideas into reality.
The result was Rita the Muster Pup - a story filled with warmth, humour and heart.
Today, Jane continues to live on a Queensland cattle property with her husband Brett, drawing inspiration from the people, animals and landscapes that shape life in the Australian bush.
Meet Rita
One little pup.
One very big personality.
Rita isn't like the other pups.
While her brothers and sisters are focused on the job at hand, Rita is busy chasing butterflies, investigating every interesting smell and getting distracted by just about everything around her.
She's curious, adventurous and full of energy.
And while some people might call her naughty, Jane knows the truth… "She's not being naughty - she's just got so much stuff going on."
Inspired by a real border collie, Rita's story celebrates the children who see the world a little differently and reminds us that being unique is something to be celebrated.
Meet Rita
The Women Behind Rita
Behind every page of Rita the Muster Pup is a team of women who know this land inside and out. From the stories Jane carries in her heart, to the illustrations that bring Rita to life, to the photography that captures the beauty of the outback.
This is a story shaped entirely by women who live, work and create in rural Australia.
Ainsleigh Lancaster
Photographer
Jane's daughter and a talented outback photographer, Ainsleigh captures the land, the people and the cattle that call it home, known for her distinct eye and stunning golden-hour lighting.
Jane Kinnon
Author
A Queensland cattle producer turned first-time author, Jane draws on a lifetime on the land to create warm, authentic stories inspired by real animals, real adventures and real Australian heart.
Emily Humble
Illustrator
Emily brings Rita and her world to life through soft, warm illustrations that capture the dusty, wide-open beauty of the Australian bush, making every page feel like stepping onto the property.
What Readers Are Saying
Rita the muster pup has been a household favourite since receiving it. It lives beside our boys’ bed (4yrs & 2yrs old) and is very well loved & well read- must be read 2/3 times in a row not just once! Our boys especially enjoy the gorgeous illustrations along with the all too familiar story of a cheeky working dog pup & Brahman cattle, living on a cattle farm themselves. Beautiful story.
Laken B
I bought this book for my grandsons, what a hit! They both live on farms and Grandad has become their hero. It is beautifully written and the illustrations bring every page alive. It’s an absolutely family favourite.
Jo B
What's next?
More adventures are on the way. Rita may be the first story, but she won't be the last.
Jane is currently working on her next children's book, inspired by life on the land and the
animals that make it so special.
