Delph author's picture book wins prestigious Royal Dragonfly award

'Ready Steady SAIL!' by Delph children's author and illustrator, J C Perry, was given an honourable mention in the 'picture books six and older' category and achieved second place in the 'Humour' category

An author from Delph has been recognised as Story Monsters LLC announced the winners of the 2022 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards.

The annual awards is a global competition that honours excellence in literature across 71 different categories.

'Ready Steady SAIL!' by Delph children's author and illustrator, J C Perry, was given an honourable mention in the 'picture books six and older' category and achieved second place in the 'Humour' category.

Author Jo was delighted with the news.

Asked about the storyline, she said: "I suppose you could compare 'Ready Steady SAIL!' to 'The Tortoise and The Hare', in that a slow animal (a hedgehog in this case) and a quick animal (the squirrel) have a race, but the end is much more satisfying, and the story is much funnier too.

"The squirrel is determined to win the boat race and takes no breaks to get further ahead, whereas the hedgehog takes a more scenic route, island hopping, trying the local cuisine and making memories.

"We learn an important lesson along the way too."

Jo released her latest children's book, 'I Am a Shell', last month and is currently working on her seventh picture book about a unicorn and a princess, who's a bit of a spoilt brat.

She said: "I've gone back to humour with the book I'm working on - it should give littl'uns and their grown-ups a giggle."

All Jo's books are available on Amazon and can be ordered from any bookshop.

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