Oxfordshire author publishes debut children's book
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 06:19 · Archive
Sue Coleman has published A Special Journey, a children's book inspired by her childhood in Southern Africa and family experiences.
Sue Coleman has published her debut children's book A Special Journey, written and illustrated by herself and aimed at readers aged seven to nine. The story draws on Coleman's childhood in Southern Africa, the death of her older sister in 2020, and adventures involving her family's Jack Russell, Biggles.
Coleman said she wanted to convey 'the importance love in a world that is sadly so troubled and riven apart by hatred and war'. The book is set in and around Clifton Hampden in Oxfordshire, where Coleman has lived for 40 years, and includes local landmarks such as the church, village shop, and the walk along the Thames. She noted that many of the nature and wildlife references in the book were 'drawn from personal encounters which have sadly now almost all disappeared'.
The book reintroduces 'lost words' — nature terms that were removed from the Oxford Children's Dictionary in 2017 — through illustrations for readers to find. Published by Partnership Publishing, the book appealed to readers beyond its intended age group, with Coleman hoping that Biggles and the other animal characters would appeal to 'animal lovers of all ages'.
How it is being reported
- Oxfordshire writer celebrates debut children's book successA Special Journey, written and illustrated by Oxfordshire author Sue Coleman, is aimed at readers aged seven to nine.Oxfordshire Guardian · 10 Oct, 05:00
- Oxfordshire writer celebrates debut children's book successA Special Journey, written and illustrated by Oxfordshire author Sue Coleman, is aimed at readers aged seven to nine.Oxford Mail · 10 Oct, 05:00
In this story: Sue Coleman · Oxfordshire · Clifton Hampden · Southern Africa
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