Last updated 08:54, Friday, 26 September 2008

News of a very special delivery saw one Cumbrian grandma pick up her pen and set to work on her first children’s book.

• Video: watch Doreen Smith

Doreen Smith with grandson Richard

Doreen Smith, of Houghton, has dedicated A to Z of Animal Stories to her first grandson Richard in the hope he will enjoy the tales in years to come.

“I’ve always enjoyed writing, but my scribblings would just be pushed to the back of the drawer,” said Doreen. “When I heard Richard was coming, I got going.”

Using her middle name Hannah as her pen name, Doreen began bringing 26 stories to life through animal characters from Albert Alligator to Zoe Zebra.

“I used to run a drama club in Houghton and I found that if you gave children improvisations, they often include animals in their little plays. I wanted it to be educational and the stories contain true facts about animals.”

Doreen, a former film librarian at ITV Border and Cumbrian born and bred, went on to publish the book herself through local publishers, Fauna.

“The writing was the easy part, then I had to wait for drafts to come back.”

The stories are aimed at youngsters between four and nine, but grandma’s tales are already a firm favourite with Doreen’s only daughter Gayle and six-month-old Richard.

Doreen added: “I think it’s important children have stories read to them. Hearing the words helps them learn to read so much quicker.”
And she hasn’t ruled out another volume if more grandchildren come along.

A to Z of Animal Stories is available from Bookends in Carlisle and Keswick, Houghton Garden Centre, Walby Farm Park and Rheged Discovery Centre in Penrith at £5.99, and will soon be available to order.