An Amherstburg resident has written her first children’s book and has plans for even more.
Stacey Davidson has authored “15 Fishes” with the characters in the book also being profiled at the conclusion of the story.
Some are named for people in her life, including one in tribute to her father.
The story came to her almost two decades ago, when she saw something as she was driving and let her imagination run with it.
“About 18 years ago, I was driving in Windsor and I was stopped at E.C. Row and Howard Ave. There was a foil balloon in a tree shaped like a fish and I thought it would be funny if there were fish in a tree.”
The idea never left Davidson’s head and, once she found an illustrator, she finally sat down and wrote the book. She retired from the bank she was employed at and decided “it was time to start checking off boxes.”
Katie McCarthy helped Davidson illustrate her book with Tellwell Publishing actually putting out the book.
“It took a while for everything to come together but once I pulled the trigger, it came together very quickly,” said Davidson.
The book is written in a rhyming style and the feedback has been good so far.
Davidson pointed out it is for beginning readers up to age 12, and it was ranked at the top of the list for beginning readers when it first was being sold on Amazon and held that position for ten days.
“People have told me it’s an easy book to read,” said Davidson. “The moral of the story is your imagination can take you anywhere.”
The main character of the book communicates with fishes in a tree, only for readers to find out it was all a dream. She said a person’s imagination can let them see what they want to see.
“When you let your imagination go, there’s so many things you can see,” said Davidson. “A foil balloon in a tree turned into a whole story. I hope people want to read it.”
Davidson grew up in Sault Ste. Marie but has lived in Amherstburg for the last 28 years. She said her 83-year-old mother still lives in the Sault and she reads her daughter’s book to everyone she meets.
“I always tell people Amherstburg is one of the most beautiful places to be,” said Davidson.
The book is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble and will soon be available at the River Bookshop in Amherstburg.
People can also reach out for a copy, which costs $16 with no tax, at mjdsed1992@gmail.com.
Davidson added she is willing to working with and encouraging aspiring writers on how to get started.
“We all have great ideas,” she said. “No one knows where to start.”
Two more books are in the works with Davidson stating she enjoys writing and rhyming.
“My mind is always going on something.”
New children’s book released by local author, more books planned
By Ron Giofu
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