Greed is the theme behind Bermudian author and teacher Joanne Burgess' latest children's book. She released 'The Priceless Hogg Penny', sequel to 'The Lizard and The Rock', earlier this month.

"In this book the Island has been discovered and the community is established," said Mrs. Burgess. "The creatures have jobs. Everything is slow and steady and people have time for things."

The story is told through two 'wall sitters' a cardinal and kiskadee called Wallace and Lonnie.

"Someone asked me why didn't I choose a cahow as the wall sitter," she said. "I didn't want to paint them in a negative light. We always think of a kiskadee as a bird that wakes you up in the morning and making a lot of noise. So I chose a kiskadee and a cardinal."

Everything starts to change when pirates introduce a treasure of priceless hogg pennies to the community.

The pennies are magical and can bring a curse on people who misuse them.

"You see different reactions to the pennies," said Mrs. Burgess. "Some creatures are paranoid and want to stuff them under their pillow. Others are fascinated. You see things start to change.

"Some families start to distrust each other because they are afraid their family members will steal their pennies. Violence breaks out on this once peaceful Island."

When the characters start to trade dishonestly, the curse of the pennies comes true, but not in the way they expect. Families break up and violence erupts.

"The Island is now poorer than it has ever been, not monetarily," said Mrs. Burgess. "It doesn't matter how many hogg pennies you have in your purse, what matters is that you have love and family. What matters is what you do."

Her first book 'The Lizard and The Rock' was a fable that described Bermuda's discovery, and a pervasive attitude of resistance to change.

Although there are many new characters in this book, it also includes several characters from the first book, including Sam the Lizard.

"'The Priceless Hogg Penny' is about sustainability," she said. "I am hoping to open the eyes of everyone to have a better life.

"I don't know how a lot of people are going to make ends meet at Christmas with all the food and toys we are supposed to buy. I am hoping this book is going to remind people of what is important."

She was inspired to write the book after talking to someone who was trying to start a new charity in Bermuda.

"This person was telling me how hard it was to secure funding," said Mrs. Burgess. "I was also inspired by different stories in the newspaper this year about the needy. They really touched my heart, so I put them in there."

At the end of the book the characters get together to help various people in need, such as a sick child in hospital.

"I asked myself should I give my $100 to help, or should I create a project to change the mindset of Bermudians as a whole," she said. "I decided to do a project in the form of this book."

The book is sponsored by several local companies and organisations including Bonsai Creatives, Platinum Reality, Ink & Paper, and The Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation.

"That was a real blessing," she said. "I was happy because it fit with the theme of community effort."

The book was illustrated by Lamelle Paynter.

"He worked really hard to illustrate this book," said Mrs. Burgess. "There are more creatures and characters, and colour this time."

She hoped that the book would help to change Bermuda's busy, materialistic mentality.

When Mrs. Burgess isn't writing, she works as a substitute teacher in the public system and with Impact Mentoring Academy, a small boys' school in Smith's.

"I like the flexibility of that," she said.

The book will officially be launched on December 11 at the Bookmart from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

She is also about to release an audio version of her first book, 'The Lizard and The Rock'.

"I wrote songs, and I sing as well," she said. "Johnny Woolridge was the producer at Just Platinum Studios."

The audio version won second place earlier this month in an arts competition sponsored by the 400th Anniversary Committee. "I didn't think I would be writing another book, or doing a CD," she said. "I thought last year that would be my hobby. I got my book done and I'm done. But here we go again."

She said 'The Lizard and The Rock' did better than she ever imagined for a first-time author.

"The Bookmart said it broke inventory record," she said. "I also entered it in a book festival in Arkansas where it did well."

She has had lots of good feedback on 'The Lizard and The Rock' from parents and kids.

"What I liked about it was that people from all walks of life were saying how they liked it," she said. "It went across the different groups in Bermuda. If it was only popular amongst one group I would have felt like I didn't succeed."

The book is available in bookstores on the Island and at Jones' Dry Good Store in Pembroke. 'The Lizard and The Rock' even has a Facebook page, which is updated frequently.