Coolest kid on wheels
Walliams dedicates new book to Pride of Britain Dante... who asked him to write it
PRIDE of Britain winner Dante Marvin had badgered David Walliams to write a book about a boy in a wheelchair, just like him – and now his dream has come true.
The author and Britain’s Got Talent star has even dedicated it to Dante – and called him “the coolest kid on wheels”.
Dante burst into tears when David revealed his new book, Slime, on BBC1’s The One Show.
David said: “Dante has made such a huge impression on me. His lust for life and humour really inspired me. I thought I could write a really fun book with a boy in a wheelchair at the centre of it. Hopefully that’s what I’ve done.”
Dante, 11, of Liverpool, has brittle bone disease, and has broken 92 bones in his life.
But it does not stop him enjoying life and he is even an ambassador for the Variety children’s charity, helping kids with disabilities and raising funds. He first met David at a book reading event, where he made his plucky request.
He said: “I had been pestering David for over a year to write a book about a boy in a wheelchair who can go anywhere his imagination can take him.
“He kept it a secret. I was overwhelmed when I found out he had actually done it. It just shows any kids with disabilities that they can achieve anything they want.”
Mum Rachel said: “Every time we saw David at a charity event Dante kept saying, ‘Come on David, what about this book? Chop, chop.’ Now it has happened it is amazing.”
Dante has just released his first pop song, She’s Got the Whole World in Her Hands, which is dedicated to his mum.
Dante won a Child of Courage award at last year’s Daily Mirror Pride of Britain awards.
It shows kids with disabilities can achieve anything they want
DANTE MARVIN ON HIS DELIGHT AT THE BOOK