MAGICAL START FOR AN ENCHANTING BOOK
FULL HOUSE FOR LAUNCH OF FIRST CHILDREN’S BOOK FROM LOCAL PAIR
THEY say mighty oaks from tiny acorns grow, and that seems to be the direction a new children’s book and CD from two local authors is heading, if the launch is anything to go by!
Barlow House in Narrow West Street was the venue for the launch last week of ‘Mr Wisscoccally Adventure in Thorney Wood’, the first book from writer Ruth Campbell and illustrator Vivienne Byrne.
Hundreds packed out the arts centre venue, as Grainne Rafferty presided over the first outing for this delightful book.
“I think you could call it a runaway success and I want to thank everyone who came along and made it such a special evening,” says an elated Ruth. “The turnout was astounding - they were actually queuing out the door - and I can’t believe how many books we sold on the evening – over twice as many as we expected to.”
This is the first collaboration between the local women, who have known each other about 16 years.
Ruth, who is originally from Termonfeckin, has four children and six grandchildren, and says they are the ones to thank for getting her to finally write a book.
“I have been telling stories for years, and they eventually bullied me into writing one,” says the former teacher with a laugh.
The book tells the story of the adventures of a seven year old boy called JC Summers who is staying for the summer holidays with his granny who lives near Thorney Wood.
The Mr. Wisscoccally in the title is JC’s imaginary friend and they get up to all sorts of shenanigans together! “When my youngest grandchild John was 9, he had an imaginary friend, and that is who the story is based on, and he even described what he looked like to Vivienne to help her with the drawings.”
She says retired teacher Pat Colgan had them all in tears on the night, giving a talk on the book, and she wants to give a special mention to Eric Sharpe and Fran McDermott from Abbey Lane studios, who recorded the music for a CD of the book. “The music, also called Thorney Wood, is absolutely gorgeous, and I also would like to thank Mike O’Leary from Beulah print for the wonderful job on the book.
For now, the duo is currently looking for a distributor but copies will be on sale in Forge Field, Termonfeckin, making the ideal present for Christmas.