Jon Blake's Blog - Posts Tagged "disability"
Thimble is out!
I’ve been a successful children’s author for over 30 years, but Thimble Monkey Superstar, published on May 19th by Firefly Press, is a new departure for me. That’s because its main character, Jams, is based on my own son Jordi, who has cerebral palsy.
There are far too few books for children which feature characters with disabilities, and from fairy stories to Roald Dahl, physical difference is all too often associated with evil. I wanted to create a character who is just that, a character. Jams’ disability is part of who he is but he is not defined by it. He’s also warm, funny, creative and optimistic – rather like Jordi.
Right from the start, we have involved Bobath Wales in the promotion of the book. Bobath, an important provider of therapy for children with CP, are selling the book on their website and taking part of the proceeds.
I do want to emphasise that Thimble Monkey Superstar is not a boring educational book! It’s been a big hit with the children who’ve read it because it’s a fun, funny story. Hopefully it will lead to a series and many more children will get swept up in the adventures of Jams and Thimble.
There are far too few books for children which feature characters with disabilities, and from fairy stories to Roald Dahl, physical difference is all too often associated with evil. I wanted to create a character who is just that, a character. Jams’ disability is part of who he is but he is not defined by it. He’s also warm, funny, creative and optimistic – rather like Jordi.
Right from the start, we have involved Bobath Wales in the promotion of the book. Bobath, an important provider of therapy for children with CP, are selling the book on their website and taking part of the proceeds.
I do want to emphasise that Thimble Monkey Superstar is not a boring educational book! It’s been a big hit with the children who’ve read it because it’s a fun, funny story. Hopefully it will lead to a series and many more children will get swept up in the adventures of Jams and Thimble.
Thimble shortlisted for Lollies!
Thimble Monkey Superstar has been shortlisted for the 2017 Lollies (Laugh Out Loud awards). This is quite achievement for a book published by small Cardiff publishers Firefly Press, and for a writer who many people seem to have forgotten! One reason this has happened is that there was a period of several years when I hardly wrote anything while raising my young son Jordi, who has cerebral palsy. Now an outstanding young writer in his own right, Jordi is the model for Jams, hero of the book. I'm not sure if Thimble is the first chidren's book with a CP narrator to be shortlisted for a major award, but hopefully he won't be the last! We do need votes however - the Lollies are decided by popular vote, and (not unusually in this day and age) I am up against celebs! For more about the book, and links to where you can vote, go to my website at www.jonblake.co.uk.
