Article below from Halesowen/ Dudley/ Stourbridge News, 29th April 2016
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A KINGSWINFORD engineer turned author will be signing copies of his first-ever children’s book at an event in Dudley tomorrow (Saturday April 30). David J Robertson’s Dognapped, which follows border collie Misty and her fellow four-legged friends, was officially released yesterday (Thursday April 28) and he will be signing copies at Dudley Library, St James’s Road, from 2.30pm until 3.30pm. David’s faithful friend Misty, the inspiration for the book, will also be in attendance at the event which is suitable for children aged six and over. The story sees Misty and her three dog friends enjoying a relaxing day of exploring but, with trouble never far away from the four canines, it is not long before they find themselves accidentally adrift on a canal boat. The furry friends try to steer the boat back to shore but find themselves in hot water when they hear on the radio that a puppy found aboard has been reported ‘dognapped’. |
David, a retired engineer who lives at Hinksford Park with his companion Misty, took up writing after suffering a heart attack about 18 months ago.
He joined the Castle Writers group which meets at Dudley Library from 10am to noon every Thursday and, as well as children's fiction, he's written short stories, flash fiction for competitions – and an as-yet unpublished full-length a fantasy novel.
His debut book, Dognapped, started to take shape as he'd been writing a newsletter for a dog training club where he and Misty, aged 10, attend agility classes.
David, aged 60, said: "I wrote the newsletter from her point of view so the children's book was an extension of that.
"I've always written but it started seriously after the heart attack."
Dognapped, he says, has already received plenty of interest - with copies reportedly having found their way to readers in America, Sweden and Ireland to date.
Published by Matador, the book is available online on Amazon and from Ashwood Nurseries, near Kingswinford, priced £8.99.
A second book about the adventures of Misty and her friends, called In the Doghouse, will be released in September.
For more information about the author and his work check out http://www.mistybooks.net/ and to find out more about book signing call the library on 01384 815560.
Blimey - he has been busy hasn't he!?
Anyway - here's those Amazon reviews I was on about...
Anyway - here's those Amazon reviews I was on about...
Top Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars A superb book that kids will love to read over and over again.
By Whispering Stories on 17 May 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
When Misty the border collie and friends came across a canal boat making an unusual and worrying noise, the dogs decide to investigate. It would seem that there was something stuck in the chimney.
After a little help from One-eyed Rosie, the item is freed and the noise stops, but lo and behold the stuck item turned out to be a puppy named Ashley, and he isn’t happy with having the dogs being on his boat, even if they did free him.
When the canal boat comes free and starts drifting away towards the sea, Ashley believes that he has been dognapped by pirates.
Can the dogs manage to get the boat back to shore, and just what adventures might they get up to out at sea?
‘Dognapped’ is a fun and exciting book that will have youngsters enthralled within its pages. Kids will be kept entertained by a fascinating story that combines dangerous situations, laugh out loud moments and of course, heroic furry animals.
It is beautifully illustrated with vivid colours that represent the plot perfectly and children will not only get to read what their four-legged friends get up to whilst their owners are not around, but will have a visual description too.
A superb book that kids will love to read over and over again.
Reviewed by Stacey at Whispering Stories Book Blog.
Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse
5.0 out of 5 starsLovely children's book.
By Margaret Breen on 5 May 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
Thank you for signing my Grandaughter book, she's really enjoying it , she said it makes her laugh. My daughter is taking your book to the school where she works and is looking forward to reading it to her class.
Comment Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse
5.0 out of 5 starsFun read
By Lauren Anderson on 22 May 2016
Format: Paperback
A big thank you to David J Robertson for signing my niece's copy. Me and my 2 nieces Crystal and Amber have just sat and read this book - we thought the book was good with lots of adventures along the way!
By Whispering Stories on 17 May 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
When Misty the border collie and friends came across a canal boat making an unusual and worrying noise, the dogs decide to investigate. It would seem that there was something stuck in the chimney.
After a little help from One-eyed Rosie, the item is freed and the noise stops, but lo and behold the stuck item turned out to be a puppy named Ashley, and he isn’t happy with having the dogs being on his boat, even if they did free him.
When the canal boat comes free and starts drifting away towards the sea, Ashley believes that he has been dognapped by pirates.
Can the dogs manage to get the boat back to shore, and just what adventures might they get up to out at sea?
‘Dognapped’ is a fun and exciting book that will have youngsters enthralled within its pages. Kids will be kept entertained by a fascinating story that combines dangerous situations, laugh out loud moments and of course, heroic furry animals.
It is beautifully illustrated with vivid colours that represent the plot perfectly and children will not only get to read what their four-legged friends get up to whilst their owners are not around, but will have a visual description too.
A superb book that kids will love to read over and over again.
Reviewed by Stacey at Whispering Stories Book Blog.
Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse
5.0 out of 5 starsLovely children's book.
By Margaret Breen on 5 May 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
Thank you for signing my Grandaughter book, she's really enjoying it , she said it makes her laugh. My daughter is taking your book to the school where she works and is looking forward to reading it to her class.
Comment Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Report abuse
5.0 out of 5 starsFun read
By Lauren Anderson on 22 May 2016
Format: Paperback
A big thank you to David J Robertson for signing my niece's copy. Me and my 2 nieces Crystal and Amber have just sat and read this book - we thought the book was good with lots of adventures along the way!