Writing a fairy story for her grandchildren has inspired a grandmother to publish her first children’s novel.

Sheila Clarke first wrote her charming kids fable, the Rainbow Garden, more than four years ago, when her two youngest grandchildren had just reached their first birthdays.

She kept the book to herself until she decided that, after her kids kept asking her to read it to them at night, she would publish it and share the tale with other children. ’They loved it, and were always wanting me to read it to them,’ said Sheila.

’So I decided then to publish it, thinking that if they liked it so much, it must be good enough.

’I think that, deep down, the story is about teaching the kids to say please and thank you, and how to work together and cooperate without arguing.’

The story follows the trials of a group of friends who live in the titular magical garden, who are worried by the changing weather.

’Miss Quirky, a mouse, hangs out her washing in the magical garden. One day it rains, and she, along with Mr Brush the hedgehog and Mr Green the frog decided they would go the wise old apple tree.

’He is the one who makes all their problems better. There is a fairy and an elf in the tree, and they decide to help.’

’The story builds from there, and I think it keeps the kids interested to the end of the book,’ she said.

The fairy tale is brought to life by colourful drawings, created by illustrator Sonia Martin.

’I have never had my poetry published before, and this is my first book I have had published,’ said Sheila, who dedicated the Rainbow Garden to her grandchildren, along with the phrase ’follow your dreams. They can and do come true.’

’I normally write spiritual poetry, which is nothing like a children’s book,’ she said.

’I only recently decided to get it published, but it took me four years to actually get it out.

’I was lucky to find the publishers, Austin MacAuley. They were the first company I sent it too, and they accepted it straight away.’

The book is aimed at children under the age 10, and is available from all local bookshops, and also online from publishers Austin MacAuley, through Amazon books.

More details are available from austinmacauley.com