Poorly girl inspires mother's fairy tale
Mother-of-two Tamsin Wood has written her first book after finding inspiration in a sick youngster.
Tamsin Wood, of Cannock, put pen to paper after hearing about the plight of six-year-old Kelli Smith who suffers from the condition neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer.
She initially wrote a poem as a contribution to a book of poetry being published to raise money for the Kelli Smith Appeal.
The fund was set up by the Sutton Coldfield youngster's father, Tom Attwater, who also has cancer.
It is hoped the book will provide a way to finance potentially life-saving treatments for his daughter not currently available on the NHS.
Mrs Wood, aged 39, was invited to write an entire book herself on the strength of her poem – and fulfilled a lifetime's ambition in completing the task.
The result, Fairy Boots, a rhyming verse tale about a young girl with cancer, is available on Amazon.
She said: "I've loved writing poems and short stories since I was old enough to write and I especially love writing for youngsters.
"I'm a huge fan of Roald Dahl and Julia Donaldson and read all the children's classics when I was a kid.
"It was so exciting reading them all again with my own children years later.
"When I was called about writing a book of my own, I just sat down and started doodling one day and came up with Fairy Boots.
"I've always loved writing so I bit the bullet, I'm really thrilled about the book."
Mrs Wood, of Longford Road, who has had stories published in The Jersey Evening Post in her native Channel Islands, intends to keep up her writing.
She said:"I find living in the countryside in Cannock, right next to the Chase, very inspirational.
"I think it would be good to feature it in future stories."
Fairy Boots features Kelli, who finds adventure and friendship on a magical journey in her own back garden, as well as Tamsin's own children, aged eight and four, and those of her friends.
The book has already had good reviews on websites selling it.
On Amazon.co.uk, all six reviews of the book gave it five stars.
One review, D M Andrews, wrote: "This is a wonderful story which should be enjoyed by children.
"The photography is excellent creating magical pictures to complement the story.
"It is beautifully written, and the words flow well and smoothly.
"This surely is a must read for fairy lovers everywhere, and also remember that this book supports a very worthy cancer charity.
"It is a delight to read."
Another review by Zoë Le Breton said: "This is so heartfelt.
"It's an amazing story that will have you smiling from beginning to the end."
The book can be found at www.amazon.com/Tamsin-Wood/e/B00TOG30SA. Profits will go towards helping children with neuroblastoma. To make a donation to the Kelli Smith appeal, visit the donor page at www.justgiving.com/helpkelli
