Illustrator thanks backers for ‘magical’ support of campaign to fund Horndean inspired nature book for children

A CAMPAIGN to fund a Horndean-inspired nature book has smashed its target.
Eben and Paul ParsonEben and Paul Parson
Eben and Paul Parson

Created by a Havant-based author and an illustrator from Horndean Woodland Ways is a situation poetry book to help children understand and respect nature.

Originally hoping to raise £500, illustrator Paul Parsons was delighted to see that the book almost doubled its goal when £950 was raised via a Kickstarter fundraising campaign.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Paul said: ‘I feel so grateful that people have responded so positively to our book.

‘The kickstarter was backed by over 50 people, many of them strangers and this level of support has been magical, it has brought our book to life and for that we are so, so thankful.’

Paul, who lives in Horndean with his wife Sarah and their five-year-old son Eben, teamed up with his sister-in-law poet Dotty Bretton to create Woodland Ways.

As reported, he started producing the book earlier this year after being inspired by his lockdown walks with Eben in Bere Forest.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Paul said: ‘When The News wrote the article about the book, I put it on my social media, and then lots of people started interacting with it.

‘Three hours later, £300 extra was contributed to the project, and we hit our target six days before our deadline.

The News article really helped the project, I worked out that the article helped generate 60 per cent of the target.’

Woodland Ways is a lighthearted way of educating children about nature, teaching them the right way to behave outside and how to respect the world around them.

It is appropriate for children aged from four to seven.

Read More
Efforts of Hilsea 6-year-old bring joy to children at Queen Alexandra Hospital f...
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Paul said: ‘Now the book is being printed, and we have created a few extra surprises for the backers - a little box with bookmarks, stickers, and an activity card.

‘It looks like the book is going to be in Waterstones now, which is incredible. Things are really moving on now, which is great - the books should be with the backers by next week.’

Paul has also started work on another children’s book, Little Flaws, which is about appreciating the differences that make us all special.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to our online coverage, including Pompey, for 27p a day.

Related topics: