World Book Day

I wrote, illustrated and published my debut children's book Our Dave in 2020. It had been in my mind for a very long time. Because my partner‘s sister loves rhyming children’s books, and as she was approaching a big birthday we wanted to make her a book. So I decided to finally put Our Dave down onto paper.

The further through writing and illustrating it I got, the more I realised that this was really something! So I went full-steam ahead and ended up getting it published.

I funded the printing of Our Dave through a Kickstarter, which was great for getting Our Dave known by children all around the world.

Our Dave is a rhyming children’s picture book all about a very special cat who is abandoned by his old owners and who is left in the cat shelter to search for his new forever home. It’s actually based on the real life story of our own cat Dave, who was abandoned by his old owners and who we adopted in 2014! Dave was the love of our lives, and our hearts broke in 2021 when he passed away at home with us.

I’m incredibly proud of Our Dave and it warms my heart to know that so many children’ around the world love it too.

I’m now on a bit of a personal and professional development journey, digging deep into my artistic style with the help of industry professionals. I’ve got many more books in my head and heart, ready to get working on.

The next book that I’m working on is nearly ready to be formatted. It’s all about an old sea dog called Molly and has been in the pipeline for a long time. I am currently aiming to self-publish this book too, but I am increasingly open and interested in approaching publishers with this book too. And if thot this book, then definitely the next ones.

I’ve created these FREE Our Dave storytelling stick puppets. Get yours now by simply signing up to my newsletter here.

If you want to support me, you can either sign up to any support tier on my patreon page, or why not buy your own copy of Our Dave here: www.embersandink.co.uk/products/our-dave-childrens-book

New planet-friendly packaging!

Our Dave is now protected by recyclable Glassine bags.

Embers and Ink is now sending your copies of Our Dave in glassine paper packaging, instead of tissue paper when you buy at www.embersandink.co.uk .

This is because Glassine is a paper product that can be recycled as well as composted. Previously, we were wrapping your books in tissue paper as a plastic-free alternative to cellophane wrappers. But did you know that tissue paper cannot be recycled?! We knew that even though it wasn't plastic, that there was a better solution out there.

And now we've found it after extensive research!

Glassine is a paper product and offers much more protection that tissue paper from the elements. While not being water-proof, it is much more water resistant than tissue paper. And it can be recycled too. What's not to like?!

Our Dave is a rhyming children's picture book all about a very special cat who is abandoned by his old owners and is in the cat shelter looking for his forever home. It is a real-life story based on my own cat Dave!

Get your own copy at www.embersandink.co.uk today.

Real life Dave versus the image in Our Dave of him snoozing on Andy's legs.

Real life Dave versus the image in Our Dave of him exploring under the sofa upside down.

Real life Dave versus the image in Our Dave of him being taken home in the cat carrier.

Free Cut-Out Stick Puppets!

I've recently been busy behind the scenes in this pre-publishing business of my studio, and I've created these printable stick puppets with character from my first children's book Our Dave as a way to say Thank You to anyone who signs up to my newsletter.

There's a coloured in version and a black and white version that can be coloured in at home. They can be used at story time or in free-play as a way for your child to re-tell the story of Our Dave, as well as to make up their own stories.

They're completely free - all you need to do to get hold of them is sign up to my newsletter here or in the header.

See you there, bookworms!