10-year old Leyland girl Grace Langley gets ready for book launch

Grace will be putting her creative dreams into reality tomorrow morning at Leyland Library when she holds her first book launch.

Published by 2QT, The Spirit Tree is co authored with retired English teacher, Frank English and charts the story of Susie and Tenko, as newfound cousins who become good friends after a tragedy, despite having completely different personalities.

As family issues see them taking decisions beyond their experience as youngsters. They share many exciting and magical adventures with Susie's school friends and Cassidy, the cat.

Proud mother Ann, 42, said: "Grace has had a love of literature since way before she could read the words by herself.

"As soon as she was able to turn squiggly lines into letters - and then words - she has always written stories for pleasure.

"Teachers were always saying they loved reading her creative writing.

“She has read all books by Roald Dahl, David Walliams and JK Rowling’s Harry Potter.”

Speaking on how the 12-chapter book came to fruition, Ann added: “Frank, who has written many books, had asked if Grace would be his apprentice and it stemmed from there with Zoom meetings and emails where she would send ideas to him.

"They worked on the book for around five months and she has written some of the chapters herself.

“The book appeals to everyone. I have family and friends who have love it.”

When not transporting people into a make believe world, Grace, who attends Lever House Primary, also enjoys tap dancing and art.

Her dream job is to be a writer and illustrate her own books.

She lives with her brother Sam, 8, who loves Science and Maths, parents Ann and Mike, 60, and their two pet rats Midnight and China.

Devoid of the dreaded writer’s block and gaining her next wave of creativity, she is currently in the process of writing another story about a girl who goes to sleep and meets some amazing people along the way.

The launch of Grace’s book, priced at £10, will take place tomorrow from 9.30am until 1pm at the library.