A Grey Highlands children’s book author is enjoying a bit of crowning glory with a royal endorsement for her story.
Mari Sherkin’s first published children’s book A Fairy On My Sleeve was read by the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, on the Storytime with Fergie and Friends YouTube Channel.
“Afterwards she said ‘well done Mari,’” said Sherkin, still on cloud nine over the nod from Fergie. “I was utterly thrilled that she liked it so much.”
Sherkin wrote the story about 20 years ago, along with several other tales, while spending time with a friend’s children in the garden.
The story is about a girl who cherishes a belief in fairies, but becomes skeptical as she grows into an adult. Then one day, while sitting in a forest, she sees a real fairy.
“It came to me in the garden, with the butterflies and the dandelions floating,” she said. “I love the outdoors, that’s where I get my inspiration.”
The outdoors is also what drew Sherkin and her husband to Epping, where they have lived since 2011. As a child, Sherkin spent a lot of time with her Grandad in his garden. She continued to keep a “bit of an English garden,” through adulthood, and when her son grew up, she returned to her childhood love of writing stories.
She began working with publisher Mascot Books and illustrator David Gnass to get A Fairy On My Sleeve published, and the book will be officially released on Dec. 7.
“With everything that’s been going on in the world, children might need a bit of a fairy tale,” said Sherkin. “I think the takeaway is to look around … to get outside and look for something, there’s always something. You can find beauty everywhere.”
The book will be available in select bookstores and can be purchased online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Mascot Books.
You can see Sarah Ferguson read A Fairy On My Sleeve in the video below:
