West Sussex author offers Boris and The Corona Dragon

Boris and The Corona Dragon has been published independently and is available on Kindle at 99p and paperback at £3.25 from Amazon.

Author Annie Turner, aged 49, said: “I usually write adult novels, but I was very concerned when a friend of mine told me her young children were very worried about the coronavirus pandemic especially when the lockdown was imposed.

“So, in an effort to explain what was happening, I thought I could tell them some kind of story in a way they would understand.

“I was concerned to make them see the threat was real, but also, and more importantly, stress the point, if we all work together, we can win in the end.

“Having sent them the story as a Word document and hearing they enjoyed it, I did think perhaps it might help other younger children.

“The idea of a fierce dragon is much more familiar than the words pandemic or COVID-19, so hopefully the story does make the current situation a bit more accessible.

“Owing to the current situation, I obviously couldn’t involve a professional illustrator, so I did the drawings myself which run throughout the story and hopefully, they do add to the enjoyment.

“I think the book is suitable for children of around seven to eight upwards to read on their own and obviously suitable for younger kids, if parents need a bedtime story to read.

“On a personal note, I wanted to contribute something towards helping all the key workers, especially those working in the supermarkets and obviously all the NHS staff.

“I used to work at Waitrose in Worthing and I know how tough these times have been for the staff and I wanted them and all the other companies to know, their efforts have been really appreciated.

“As this book is really about helping kids and raising some money, at this time, I couldn’t say if there will be a sequel.

“I suppose if it does prove to be popular, I might write another.

“I never say never about anything.

“I have always written, but after I finished the novel Hidden Within, my daughter insisted I should try publishing, which I did in May 2016. I have to admit, having had two children, when that first book went live, I was definitely more nervous than when I’d been in the delivery room! When readers contacted me to ask what happened next in the story, I settled down and wrote two more to complete the Within trilogy.

“After receiving my first reviews which were thankfully very positive, I started to believe more in myself and continued to write as I felt perhaps it was time to make writing a career. My work normally focuses on what’s generally described as adult themes which is why Boris and the Corona Dragon was such a departure for me. But it was fun to write, and I do love a challenge!

“Obviously before the pandemic began, I had a number of planned events which sadly have been postponed now until the future becomes a bit more certain. But I’m always writing and hopefully, when the world opens again, I can resume my second love which is travelling around the world.”