I am writing a Children’s Picture Book about a mission to the moon that’s being developed in association with Pamis.co.uk to include sensory pages.

• The book will be produced and published with the help of the Book Whisperers and the guidance of the International best selling author Mary Turner Thomson.

  (Mary has produced a series of books including 2 childrens picture books, and is the co-founder of the Book Whisperers, who are enabling authors to reach their potential.)

• I will be the author and illustrator, and have created this story with rhyme along with specially designed Sensory Pages from Pamis.

  Advice from other authors:

• Further advice and help is being given by Lauren Lockhart who is providing support and encouragement from the perspective of people with Down’s Syndrome. A lovely picturebook called ‘Trudy and Me’ published in 2022 about a siblings relationship between a child with Down’s Syndrome and her brother.The book is about Lauren’s son and daughter and she’s currently sharing her experience with production and publishing.For more info visit trudyandme.co.uk

  Lauren’s input is most valuable as she is providing knowledgable insights into what works for those with Down’s Syndrome, as well as her vast teaching experience with youngsters who are Blind and partially sighted. She is helping with font design and layout with both disabilities in mind.

• UK Charities that are providing guidance for those with Disabilities of all ages:

  • PAMIS (Promoting A More Inclusive Society) The only charity in Scotland for people purely with PMLD.

  • Down’s Syndrome Scotland

  • Autism Society UK

  • Dyslexia Scotland

  I’m also approaching other charities too for their input.

  Why am I writing this book?

• I’ve been interested in space and astronomy most of my life. In 2009 & 2010 I went to Educators Space Academy and Educators Advanced Space Academy and experienced training like an astronaut at the world famous Spacecamp in Huntsville Alabama, USA. The story behind this can be seen in ‘About Me’ page. It was truly inspiring.

As the book is designed, I hope to describe this amazing journey along the way.

• When it’s successfully published, I hope to sell both the book and illustrations as prints and other merchandise.

The aim will be to publish through Kindle Publishing Direct and to be designed with accessibility as a core feature of the story to enable everyone to benefit.

• Please keep visiting to see updates on this now. I’m writing a timeline of events now to show what’s happening, any news stories and events.

• I’ll outline progress with dates below so you can follow development as it happens:

This is just like being on a mission- Captain’s log ……..

Timeline:

2023 - First thoughts of this book and creating a story about a mission to the moon with sensory pages.

2024 - First sketches and outline of the books content.

2024 summer - Discussions with Pamis about developing the book and sensory pages.

• Content of the story begun and rhyming for first half of book.

• Began designing and drawing out and design 20 illustrations from front cover to ending on A2 acrylic multimedia paper.

• Using initially pen & ink and acrylic with oil pastel, the first sample illustrations started.

2024 Autumn- Content of story continued and rhyming for second half of book.

• Contacted various charities for disabilities in Scotland and the UK for advice on the production and layout.

2024 Winter - The story developed and illustrations further developed.

Jan 2025 - Discussions with Pamis to begin introduction to the Book Whisperers'.

17 Feb - Initial Zoom meeting with the Book Whisperers.

20 Feb 2025 - Zoom meeting with ‘Book Whisperers’ and Pamis with production and publishing of the book and what it will involve.

7 March 2025- Zoom meeting with The Book whisperers - Mary Turner Thomson to begin formatting the story line of the book, introducing the main characters.

14 March - Zoom meeting with The Book Whisperers to talk about further editing.

2025 April - All illustrations are being developed and completed.

May- Illustrations all finally developed so that the draft can be assembled, before the sensory pages are added.

The next meeting with the Book Whisperers will be due when the illustrations are almost complete.

The Mission patch is also being developed and is almost complete, that will represent the entire Mission. The Mission patch will hopefully be converted to an embroidered patch that can be worn on any hat, garment, bag or item. The patch usually has the names of the crew and has specific features on the patch to describe the mission.

Watch this space for the next part:

The draft of the book is now being prepared with all the illustrations that are just about complete.