Devon mums bring dragon to life in delightful new children's book
Two Devon friends have brought a sky high adventure to life in Bernard and Betty and The Hot Air Balloon, a thrilling debut children’s book.
Laura Cope and Frances Williams have turned their love of storytelling and illustration into a charming tale filled with fun, mischief, and a touch of fire-breathing chaos.
The story follows Bernard the dragon and his sidekick, Betty, as they sneak into the basket of a hot air balloon at a festival and, subsequently, their adventure unfolds in the skies.
Frances has been drawing Bernard the dragon for years. It was her illustration of Bernard in a hot air balloon that sparked Laura’s imagination and the idea for the book was born.
Laura enthused: “It’s not every day you get to create a book with one of your best friends, and being able to share it with other families and young children is a fantastic feeling.”
A former journalist for publications like the Express and Echo, the Herald Express, and Devon Life magazine, Laura penned the story. She has a passion for storytelling and capturing children's curiosity, while Frances created the stunning illustrations using a unique combination of lino printing, collage, drawing, and painting.
Frances, a freelance illustrator in her spare time, explained: “Creating Bernard and Betty’s world has been a joy. Bringing their adventure to life through illustrations and seeing how children respond to them is incredibly rewarding.”
The mums’ debut book has been published by Bumblebee Books, the children’s book section of Olympia Publishers, and it’s available to buy online in the UK, in countries across Europe, and as far afield as Australia.
Book giants Waterstones and Amazon are selling the children’s book, as well as independent book shops like the Curious Otter in Ottery St Mary. The mums have also donated the book to several libraries across Devon.
Laura added: “We really hope children enjoy reading about the mishaps of Bernard and Betty, and that the book becomes a bedtime favourite.”
Laura also revealed that another book in the Bernard and Betty series in currently in progress. Follow the adventures of Bernard and Betty on Instagram @bernardandbetty.
