A local author has set himself a challenge to write one story every day of lockdown.

Tony Rea, who has written a series of children’s books about Mr Flubbergump, was originally meant to celebrate World Book Day yesterday (March 4) by visiting nurseries and primary schools and reading his stories to pupils.

His Mr Flubbergump books are aimed at babies to five year olds, written with a rhythm that helps children memorise the story and encourages them to read along.

Simple and familiar words are used to help them build a core of known words, helping with the foundation of literacy.

Mr Rea has also illustrated the books using bright and bold colours.

He explained his reasons behind doing the 21-day challenge: ’The challenge replaces the readings being cancelled and I thought if I wrote a short story every day of lockdown, hopefully it would encourage kids and schools to get involved. Parents can read the stories and children can add their own characters.

’It’s for children of all ages and it’s to encourage people to read and allow everyone to get inside a character’s head. We often get bogged-down with having to read "for a reason", either having to learn or need information, but it’s the reading for pleasure and enjoyment that I want to encourage. It can unlock imagination and broaden their vocabulary.’

The stories can be read via www.facebook.com/mrflubbergump