CHILDREN CAN dive into a world of adventure with ‘Gregory the Greenfield Giant’ in an exciting new book by a local author.
Chris Horrocks has penned the tales to tell the gentle and peaceful story of the fun Gregory and his friends have in the hilltop of Pots and Pans above Dovestone Reservoir.
The stories combine mythical fantasy and the physical geography of the rugged moorlands to encourage children aged three to eight years old to engage with the great outdoors.
Chris, said the stories carry a message of ‘learn as you live’ and ‘treat others as you expect to be treated’ through a character who enjoys life, friendships and working with others.
And he revealed he was inspired to create this quirky character while spending time at the Greenfield beauty spot with members of his own family.
He said: “I originally created the stories while walking around Dovestone Reservoir with my nephew and niece. I decided to tell them a story in order to keep them occupied.
“I looked up to Pots and Pans and immediately imagined a giant lay down on the hillside.
“The tales of Gregory began that day and continued with my nephews, nieces and my own two children asking for them every time we visited the area and as bedtime stories.”
Chris tasked University of Salford design students with the challenge of illustrating Gregory from his imagination and he was most impressed by Jake Tynan, whose drawings fill the book.
Chris added: “Creating a character in your own mind is a precious thing and trusting someone else to visualise that in illustration is not easy. Jake exceeded my high expectations.
“We visited schools and used the feedback from the children to enhance the stories and the colour schemes. Their reaction has been overwhelming.”
The book was published last November, including a launch at the iconic MediaCityUK in Salford, and Chris has been touring schools across the North West to share his stories.
He has even led Geography Field Trips incorporating a reading of Gregory on the banks of Dovestone Reservoir itself and plans to write more books in the series.
‘Gregory the Greenfield Giant’ is on sale at Saddleworth Museum for £6.99 or online from the publishers Rudling House Publishers www.rudlinghouse.com
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