Cleveleys teacher's 'dream comes true' after writing first children's book

Rebecca Collins, 30, from Cleveleys, had plenty of inspiration for her first book, Jasper and Arlo: Big Cat Adventures - in the furry form of her pet cats.

As a primary school supply teacher, she was left without any work during the first lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic, which prompted her to spend her time completing the book.

Now she has self-published her story on Amazon, and hoped that her cats' adventures would bring joy to Fylde coast children as Christmas approaches.

Rebecca said: "It's always been my dream to write my own book, and Jasper and Arlo inspire all my stories.

"I'd already planned the book before lockdown, but being out of work gave me the time I needed to finish everything.

"I used my teaching experience to balance it between language and illustrations, and it's had a great response so far."

The book, aimed at primary school-aged children, tells the story of Jasper and Arlo and their adventures towards becoming the "greatest big cats in their kingdom."

Miss Collins said it had been a dream come true to see her book for sale, and had planned for more tales in the future.

"I've wanted to do this since I was a little girl," she continued.

"I used to carry notebooks and pens around with me wherever I went, so to see a book I've written for sale has been a dream come true."

Jasper and Arlo: Big Cat Adventures is available to buy on Amazon.

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