Second book published by 11-year-old
When 11-year-old Ben Spies uses the computer after school, it’s not to surf the internet or watch videos, but to write children’s books.
The Raumati South School pupil’s second book, The Magic Pencil, is due for release next month.
He has also begun working on a third book, The Temples.
He completed his first novel, Weirdo, when he was nine.
‘‘I like the excitement of being able to write adventures,’’ he said.
‘‘Lots of kids like watching movies ... I always thought when I wrote a book it could be made into a movie.’’
He said he had an advantage over established children’s authors.
‘‘It’s different from everyone else. It’s from a kid’s perspective.’’
The Magic Pencil is about a boy who tries to keep his pencil, which brings his drawings to life, out of prying hands.
The book will be about 170 pages long.
Ben’s publications are a family affair - mother Renata founded Spies Publishing, and father Robert illustrates the books.
‘‘I wanted to give him motivation to write ... since then he hasn’t stopped,’’ Renata said.
‘‘He comes back from school, sits down at the computer and asks, ‘Mum, can I write today’?’’
The pair surprised their son by publishing Weirdo without his knowledge. About 300 copies have been sold.
Renata said it was easier to acknowledge a child who loved dancing, singing or playing an instrument.
‘‘There’s nothing you can do to reward a child who loves writing.
‘‘For me, all I wanted to do was to recognise and reward his efforts.’’
Renata said Ben’s imagination was backed by thorough research.
She said her son had the talent to match his passion.
‘‘For me seeing it ... the raw story is really good. It’s really funny and authentic.
‘‘It’s breathless. It’s like one thing after another. It’s exactly how his mind works.’’
Ben enjoyed reading children’s authors like David Walliams and Andy Griffiths, but his style evolved depending on his chang- ing tastes, Renata said.
On top of normal schooling Ben attends the School for Young Writers, based in Christchurch, by correspondence.
Ben was born in Brazil, to a Brazilian mother, Renata, and a British father, Robert. The family moved to Kapiti from London when Ben was 2.
Ben’s book can be bought at Paper Plus Coastlands, and his .