Little dragon lady Imogen brings her friends to book
AMOTHER and daughter have teamed up over lockdown to create a magical children’s book.
Since about the age of three Imogen Ridgway has had imaginary dragon friends. They join her in adventures, provide companionship if she is lonely and enrich her life.
The eight-year-old from Helmshore has happily chatted to her mum Suzanne about the friendly dragon family. Now those stories, including birthday parties, sitting on the Eiffel Tower and accompanying Imogen to school, have been written down in ‘The Girl and Her Dragons’.
Suzanne, who is PA to the deputy headteacher at Haslingden High School, said: “The dragons are not always with Imogen; sometimes they go and I wonder if they will ever return, then Imogen starts speaking about them.
“She knows they are not real and obviously it is all in her head, she is a very content and happy child and, as an only child, the dragons provide her with companions when she wants them.”
Imogen said: “I have imaginary friends and they are so friendly. They have wings of all different colours and in the dragon family there is Bathmatic - he is the dad, and Bob and John - they are his sons. Bob is two and John is four.
“They have adventures with me. When we were going on holiday they went on ahead and sat on top of the Eiffel Tower. I talk to them about what I am doing and what I am going to do and they tell me what they are going to do. If I am upset then I will go to them and I am never alone.”
Over lockdown, Suzanne decided to write down some of the many stories Imogen had told her of the exploits and adventures she has had with the dragons. These include when they accompanied Imogen and her mum as she was being interviewed on BBC Radio Lancashire.
In the book Imogen is called Issy and she has illustrated all the stories.
Imogen said: “When I am doing yoga they also join in; I like yoga because it is nice and relaxing. Bob is the best at it because he is the youngest and he also does a lot of practising. Bathmatic is very friendly and he is my favourite.”
Besides Bathmatic and his sons, Imogen also has imaginary dinosaur friends and unicorns who also call in occasionally...could there be a sequel?
Paperback copies of ‘The Girl and Her Dragons’ are available on Amazon.