A picture book written by a Bovingdon resident is set to be released this month after publication was delayed from last year.
Strange Antics is the work of village resident Chris Blackmore who thought up the book whilst he was receiving treatment for his cancer at University College London Hospital.
The book is a charming picture book for 7-12-year olds based on the antics of a group of ants.
Chris spoke to KingsNews about the upcoming publication and wanted to apologise in the delay in publication of the book which was initially due to be released in September last year.
He said: “I was quite naïve about publishing, didn’t realise how long the process takes. There is a lot of mucking around with it to get it print ready.”
Chris said that he found inspiration for the book whilst receiving his chemotherapy treatment.
He said: “The unit, which is efficiently run with a combination of expertise and empathy, seemed to me to incorporate a strange mixture of interrelationships (between patients, staff and patients, and visiting family and friends).
“I witnessed antics which, at times, were humorous, occasionally strange, yet often tinged with sadness.”
Chris hopes the book will be educational and used within schools to benefit children and their education.
He said: “My intention was to write a book with an educational bias which would still be fun to read. Hopefully schoolteachers will take the opportunity to utilise the book in class – reading out loud, art lessons, science lessons and even maybe staging a play!”
The money raised from the sale of Strange Antics will go to a charity linked with the NHS, as they have helped Chris so much through his illness.
He said: “I have promised Hemel Hempstead Hospital that I will attempt to raise funds from the sale of this book and contribute to the purchase of a much-needed phlebotomist’s chair.”
The book is due to be released on November 28.
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