Diana Ward is set to launch her debut children’s picture book, Marlee & the Diamond Earring, at Books & Books on Saturday, 18 February at 10.30am as part of the bookstore’s popular weekly Story & Craft Time series.
Ms Ward’s interactive presentation will take young readers on a beach adventure in search of a missing earring and a creative canine craft will add to the festive fun. A special book signing will include a meet and greet with the real Marlee, Ms Ward’s Caymanian rescue dog. Those who purchase a copy of the book may have it signed by the author and paw-printed by the main character herself.
Weekender caught up with Ms Ward to chat about all things booky – and all things Marlee-y.
“Marlee is a real rescue dog,” she said. “My son adopted her from the Humane Society, here in Grand Cayman in October 2010. Her canine friends in the book are her real friends.
“Marlee has always been entertaining,” she said. “She is probably the most photographed canine on Seven Mile Beach. Tourists and cruise shippers are constantly talking about her character, swimming, digging for crabs, diving into the sea to collect big rocks, catching Frisbees, carrying coconuts. She is quite often labelled as a cartoon dog I would often imagine what she might be saying if she could speak. Living on this beautiful island gave me the inspiration to start writing about her antics and her friends, hence, Marlee and the Diamond Earring.”
Different characters
Children age 3 to 7, Ms Ward tells us, are enthralled by the dogs’ personalities and love acting out the characters and having the book read aloud to them.
“The 8 to 11-year-olds, read it themselves, enjoying the adventure and excitement of the story,” she said. “Normally their favourite character is Marlee, although some identify with Princess Dezzie. They love getting to know all the characters. Parents have also downloaded the book on iBooks in the iTunes store, to be read on an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. Here, there is a full read aloud option. The different characters’ voices include three girls who attend Cayman Prep and High School.”
So what’s it like being a local author?
“The most positive element of being a local author is the wonderful environment I have to get my ideas,” Ms Ward said. “As I walk Marlee on the beautiful beaches of Grand Cayman, I am able to open my mind to all sorts of exciting adventures for the next book. Marlee and the Diamond Earring, is the start of a set of books I intend to write in the series of The Adventures of Marlee and Friends.
“I have a website which will be added to regularly with blogs and future books,” she said. “There is also an iPhone app which will be available during February, where children have to find all the characters of the book and the diamond earring on a crowded Caymanian beach.
“I hope to get as many children enjoying the books I write,” Ms Ward said. “I believe being able to enjoy a good book, or have a book read to you will encourage a life long love of books.” No arguments here. Woof woof!
Meet Diana and Marlee at Books & Books on Saturday, 18 February at 10.30am.
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