A FASCINATION with squirrels has inspired a local author to publish his first book.
And the success of ‘Tip the Squirrel and the Disappearing Lake’ has been such that two sequels are already in the pipeline.
It’s all the work of Alcester writer Adrian Jones who earned himself the moniker ‘Cyril the Squirrel’ when he worked at Halfords’ headquarters in Redditch.
“I’d joined the ‘green team’ which was set up to cut down on waste,” said Adrian.
“I was looking after stationery as everyone’s desk was full of bits of paper.
“Colleagues gave me the name ‘Cyril the Squirrel’ and as it happened from the office windows I could see all these squirrels running through the trees collecting things and that’s where it all came from.”
‘Tip the Squirrel’ started out as a short story in 2011 before being fleshed out, put on the back burner and then re-visited to finally emerge in 2018 in book form through publisher Austin Macauley.
It tells of plans by the Mr Big of the beaver world to expand a factory which risks destroying the wood where Tip and the other forest animals live.
But can Tip save the day and find a way to reach an amicable arrangement with the beavers?
“Although it’s about forest animals it’s a very human story, about people getting along with each other and the spirit of forgiveness,” said Adrian.
“There are weasels, foxes, badgers, all sorts of characters and they all have to get on to save the valley.”
Beautifully illustrated by Trish Heel, ‘Tip the Squirrel and the Disappearing Lake’ is aimed at 10 to 12 year-olds and is sure to delight.
It’s available through Amazon, the Waterstones website and at www.austinmacauley.com priced £8.99.
Adrian is also available for talks and book signings – email [email protected].
