AN YSGOL John Bright pupil nicknamed 'Erin the Artist' has made the cover of a novel that can be found on the shelves of the UK’s biggest bookshop.
When author and former schoolteacher Hayley Davenport-Smith, of Craig-y-Don, was looking for someone to provide the artwork for her first book, children's fantasy Labyrinth Junction, she could think of nobody better than her 12-year-old daughter Erin Smith.
The book, which is aimed at children aged between eight and 12, tells a magical tale of a little boy’s adventures when he stumbles into a cave and discovers passages to an enchanted world.
Erin has had her work make the cover of Labyrinth Junction
Erin said: “I love art and painting and I enjoy reading too so it was great to see my pictures in my mum’s book.”
Former primary school teacher Hayley, 47, said: “I actually wrote the book seven years ago but only decided to have a go at publishing it last year and was advised to approach Troubadour Publishing.
“They do have high standards so I was delighted when they agreed to self-publish my book but I needed an illustrator and I chose Erin who is really keen on art.
“She is a quiet girl but very talented and at her primary school her nickname was Erin the Artist.
“She’s also an avid reader and enjoys fantasy so I asked her to design the front cover and it was so good it has all gone from there
“The publisher said it was so good they would use the actual picture for the cover rather than just as the basis for it.”
Artist Erin Smith with her mum, author Hayley Davenport-Smith, brother Ben and Ysgol John Bright art teacher Rebecca Sherrington. Picture: Mandy Smith
The novel, a real family affair, also takes inspiration for its hero Erin's brother Ben, who is now 16 and in Year 11 at John Bright, while mum Hayley is currently working on a sequel.
The story follows Ben, who is running away from two bullies and he takes refuge in a cave which turns out to be a passageway to other worlds of witches, magic, talking animals, dragons, riddles and evil kings.
Erin's artwork appears throughout the book
Labyrinth Junction is officially released on Sunday, April 28 but is already available, priced at £7.99, at Waterstones and W H Smith, in Llandudno, and from Amazon.
The mum and daughter creative duo will also visit Waterstones Llandudno, at the Victoria Centre, on Easter Saturday, April 20 to sign copies of the book.
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