Author inspired by son who has cerebral palsy for shortlisted story
AN AUTHOR’S chaos-filled comedy children’s book based on his 10-year-old son who has cerebral palsy has been shortlisted for a top award.
Author Jon Blake has been nominated for the Laugh Out Loud Awards (also known as The Lollies) with his illustrated story Thimble Monkey Superstar which follows the adventures of a mayhem-causing primate.
The main character in the book, named Jams, is based on Jon’s son and keen writer Jordi, who has cerebral palsy.
Jon, 62, a Canton resident, said: “There are far too few books for children which feature characters with disabilities.
“I wanted to create a character who is just that, a character.
“Jams’ disability is part of who he is but he is not defined by it.
“He’s also warm, funny, creative and optimistic – rather like Jordi.”
Dad of two Jon said he wanted a boy of junior school age to be the main character and Jordi was the perfect fit.
Jon said: “The character Jams also has cerebral palsy.
“With the disability, Jordi doesn’t make a big deal of it.
“It’s his personality that’s the most inspiring thing.”
Cerebral palsy is a group of lifelong conditions which affect movement and coordination, and was the inspiration.
Jon, a full-time writer, added: “I think the younger kids know about disability the better.
“All the kids who know him in school are already understanding and know what disability is about.
“But when he goes to secondary school he could meet children who don’t, and then that might be more difficult for him.”
Narrated by 10-year-old Jams, Thimble Monkey Superstar tells the story of how Thimble comes to stay with Jams’ family and manages to constantly outwit his hapless father and cause mayhem at the local school, zoo and police station, before coming to the rescue.
A Cardiff resident for almost 30 years, Jon said that the majority of his 60-books were written in the city with recent events inspiring his latest work.
The book features chaos at a police station and other buildings, which were partly inspired by the demolition of the police station and the Maltsters on Cowbridge Road. Published by Wales-based Firefly Press in 2016, Jon’s latest work is currently shortlisted in the six to eight year old category. Schoolchildren across the UK will be given the chance to vote for their favourite book until December 8, with the winner announced in January 2018. Illustrator Martin Chatterton said: “Being shortlisted for The Lollies brought a smile to my face. “I think it did for Jon too although truth be told, it’s hard to tell with Blakey. “Good luck to all the other nominees but I hope you lose.” A sequel to Thimble Monkey Superstar titled Thimble Holiday Havoc is set to be published in November.