A New Life in the Sky

Thankfully the loss of a child from any cause is very rare. That said, brain tumours are one of the more common forms of childhood cancers with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Treatments can be lengthy, brutal, and with a huge amount of emotional fallout for the patient, their extended family, friends, and classmates. Siblings suffer immeasurably. Many children die due to either the tumour or complications of the treatments.

This book was born of the need to help those most affected by the sorrow of loss. It is structured to help children, particularly siblings but also friends, to remember the good times, rather than the bad, as a tool in order to assist a positive progression through the stages of grief.

Parents who have suffered loss, teachers, and parents of classmates will find this book helpful in dealing with children affected by the loss of a child dear to them from whatever cause. The book has a positive approach to the aftermath of loss and as such will appeal to anyone seeking to come to terms with such a loss, or to better understand and help your own loved ones.

A Pony Named Bart

This story is written through Bart’s observations and thoughts of his life from early memories to the present day.

As well as telling his story it is also educational. Bart teaches many aspects of horse and pony care. He explains his early training, both as a riding and driving pony. He tells his readers about the many animals who live in the New Forest and life in this magical place.

It is presented with warmth and humour and provides an insight into the lives of these noble creatures.

A Rough Ride

Sarah is a teenager wrapped up in a world of her own. No friends, just her father who never speaks, her only solace is her horse Star; together, they tried to stay strong within her world. Lonely and desperate for something or someone to help change Sarah’s life.

A School for Fish

The sea folk have a wonderful plan to build a school for all of the reef-dwelling creatures, but although they have an amazingly fun time they forget all that they have learnt as soon as they swim out of the classroom door.

Read on to find out what happens next in this charmingly illustrated book for young children.

A Spider's Tale

Being the only young spider around, Tom is lonely and in need of a friend. He decides to set off on an adventure into the farmhouse, to try and befriend one of the inhabitants. Tom quickly learns that humans and their pet dogs don’t seem to share the same quality of kindness or desire for his friendship. Tom is beginning to think he may be lucky to make it out alive.

A Spring Tale

With the cold and dark days of winter far behind now, the wonderful smell of spring in the air and the warmth from the sun’s rays, the first wild daffodils starting to unfold their bright yellow flowers, the smell of the primroses, the carpets of wood anemones, the bright yellow celandines, the smell from the wild violets to name but a few, just filled your heart with joy. Read on to find out the many wonders that spring time can bring.

A Squirrelly Tangle

A Rusty Tales Book

When a storm blows their tree down, our three young red squirrels are taken by one big mistake, far away from home. 

Join them on their journey back, leaping and flying from one adventure to another…and making new friends along the way. 

A Squirrelly Tangle is a poem for everyone who loves the wonderful wildlife we share our world with.

A Summer's Tale

An adventure about the various animal characters in A Summer’s Tale in the beautiful setting of Snowdrop Hall, home to Lord and Lady Badger and their children. The adventure is full of fun, full of imagination, loveable animal characters with lots of magic, suspense and intrigue, as well as music, a memorable experience for all, but above all, a beautiful story that will draw the readers both young and old to be part of the amazing adventure and to join in, especially with the songs.

As always, the book has a strong conservation theme, this book is interlinked to the author’s other books. But the main message is that the book gives enjoyment, hope and happiness to all. After all, we are all children at heart.

A Tiger Called Luger

Luger was a handsome young tiger who, for some reason only known to him, just wasn’t happy with the way he looked! He tried everything he could to change the way he looked! He tried rubbing his stripes off, washing them off, covering them up with mud…because he wanted to look like someone else, like a lion.

Find out what happens next. Does Luger manage to hide his stripes?

Join Luger to learn about being yourself.

A Visit to the Zoo

Being a Lancastrian, I enjoyed Stanley Holloway’s ‘Albert and the Lion’ as a child and so resolved to attempt a monologue of my own. I chose the name Albert Ramsbottom in tribute to that earlier story, and my own tale is, in a manner of speaking, a sequel to it.

A Visit to the Zoo is based upon a true story that was recounted to me in a pub many years ago, which must have lurked in the back of my mind ever since. Something similar actually happened but I have adapted it to suit the character of Albert, the ‘hero’ of the yarn. I am almost ashamed to confess that Albert is a re-construct of myself as a boy, whilst his mother is the product of observing the adversities of parenting suffered by my own three daughters.

My wife and I took our niece, Lucy, to London Zoo, where we, too, were allowed to feed penguins. I can vouch for their voracious appetites and their complete absence of manners, together with the ready use of their beaks, and believe that this harrowing experience constitutes true in-depth research into the workings of a penguin’s mind.

I wrote the story to entertain my grandchildren, but I doubt if they enjoyed the telling as much as I enjoyed the writing. I do hope it makes you smile when reading it to your audience or yourself.

A Winter's Tale

One cold and frosty winter’s morning the animals in the pine and oak forest were busy gathering various berries, leaves, flowers, and fruits from their larders to be taken to Snowdrop Hall, in preparation of the annual winter festival. Come and join in the fun and find out what a magical time winter can be.

A Wish in Lockdown

Harriet, while in bed, said out loud that she wished she could have a lovely day out and forget all about the lockdown.

Immediately, a small Wish Fairy appeared and said she may grant her the wish. She then magically transported Harriett to her brother’s room where she told them that she would only grant the wish on four conditions:

1. The children didn’t mention they had seen a fairy.

2. They helped their mum and dad with the chores around the house.

3. They didn’t argue…

4. They completed all their school work for a whole week.

The children agreed but knew it would be difficult, particularly the no arguing part.

Could the children keep to the agreement?

At the end of the week did the Wish Fairy think they had been good enough for her to grant the wish?

Did their magical day out take place?