Northampton dad publishes children's book...20 years after first creating them for his daughter

One of the benefits of the lockdowns’ over the last year was that a Northampton man was able to complete and publish his children’s book.

“Dai and the Missing Baby Crocodile” was the first of a series of bedtime stories David Hale created more than 20 years ago for his daughter Jenny.

When she was young she had trouble going to sleep without a story, having worn out all the regular children’s books David create Dai, and made up stories on the spot, told in a Welsh accent, as Dai lived in Wales.

Nearly seven years ago David wrote out the book in full, but it wasn’t until 2020, that he and Jenny found illustrator Nicholas Child to develop the characters and visual storyboard.

Nicholas, who lives in Cheshire, has already illustrated a number of books, proved a great partner on the project.

The story is quirky with animals and images that young children can identify with. It is ideal for parents and teachers to read to children and for the children to remember characters, especially Gareth the Goat.

There is also a quiz to help with the fun and learning. To add extra interest for children, parents and families there is also a ‘colouring in’ book available.

This is ideal for both young and old to test their skills and actually for adults it can be a real stress buster.

The last year with the Covid Pandemic has been tough one for everybody, so David and Jenny are quite proud of their achievement in getting the book published. The logo for the book show’s Jenny’s daughter Evie and Pug Dog. Further Dai stories are also in the pipeline.