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TWO expat schoolgirls hope their imagination, artwork and story-telling skills will help inspire young people to achieve their full potential.
Phoebe Beckett-McInroy and Isabel Looby’s first published book Once a boy won a race! tells the tale of a spirited youngster who steps up for a running challenge.
The book is available globally on Amazon and from Bahrain book stores with all profits donated to local children’s charities. “The story is about a boy who wishes to win a running race,” said Phoebe, nine. “He keeps trying, enters races, perseveres with his training, eats well and his efforts finally pay off!”
Isabel, eight, added: “I loved seeing the book for sale and I always want to dream, even when sometimes it seems difficult.” The girls, both pupils of St Christopher’s School, wrote the book whilst having a sleepover. They had earlier taken part in an athletics event together and it triggered the idea.
There is a lovely moral to the story that children should follow their dreams, think about them and also remember to celebrate them when they are achieved. The book also provides space for the young reader to reflect on what they want to achieve.
Phoebe, a Brit, who likes pasta with chocolate and cheese and playing football, lives in Saar with her parents, Simon, owner of Learning Plus Tuition Centre, and Clare, an executive coach/trainer and founder of BMC consultancy, and sister, Trudy, 11.
Isabel, from Ireland, who also enjoys playing football, likes ice-cream and running, lives in Budaiya with her parents, consulting engineer Michael and housewife Mary and younger brothers Bobby, seven, and Ted, four.
“They really did it all on their own – the story and the illustrations,” said Mrs Beckett-McInroy. “We are all proud of the girls, they are a pair and very driven!
“The girls have chosen to give profits to local children’s charities and are hoping that the book sells over a million copies.”
The families enlisted the help of a friend with publishing experience, Janie Parks, to make the book ‘industry standard’ ready for printing.
Once a boy won a race! has already been well received by literary critics. Blogger Steve Royston wrote: “There are plenty of races to be won and I’m sure they will win their fair share. And, if you’re a parent of young children, you might want to buy the book so that your kids can also be inspired to win a few.”
This book has a ‘great message’ and the coaching element, where the child or reader can consider their goals and how they can work towards them without giving up, is an added bonus. Others consider it ‘a must read’ for children and parents and urge schools to use it in their classrooms as a teaching aid and to find a place for it in their libraries.
And there’s a hint about the next book too, where the star of the original story will go on to play in the World Cup Finals. They even have a working title which is very apt: ‘The boy who tackled his troubles’.
The book is available online at https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0993199925 (priced £6.99), as well as from Words Bookstore Café and The Bookcase on Budaiya Highway (BD4.500), and is also set to be on sale in Jashanmal & Sons shortly.
A series of book signings are also being organised, including one at St Christopher’s Junior School. The dynamic duo is also considering making a website with games and animation featuring the characters involved.
