Creating Magic with Schools

Why am I creating 

The Magical Adventures of Florence the Border Collie?

 

 

I have always loved to read and write, but I worry that non-violent, gentle, fun children’s books might soon be a thing of the past.

 

From an early age, I was in awe of the children’s writer Beatrix Potter and her Tales of Peter Rabbit series.

 

In 2025, I pictured myself creating a collection of children’s stories about my Border Collie, Florence. My first dog, Beatrix (yes, named after Miss Potter!), was a real adventurer, but Florence is not. She needs somebody to write magical stories for her, and I thought young children would be the perfect people to help me with this project.

 

With a plan in mind, I began visiting primary schools to talk to the children about being an author and the processes involved in publishing a book.

 

Following the same format as my first book, The Magical Tearoom on the Hill, which has a story and recipe in every chapter, I wanted each book in this new series to have both a magical tale and a recipe.

 

Taking inspiration from the multitude of notes and drawings from pupils at the different schools I visit, I create an adventure and a recipe for each book. The last book in this unique series will be a compilation of all the recipes.

 

I hope that children, along with their family and friends, can read the stories, recognise their words and ideas, and believe they have played their part in helping to write a book and create a new recipe.

 

 

The Format

1.       Author Talk And Workshop

The first stage is to visit schools and deliver my author talk/workshop, which can be anything from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the age of the children. Typically, I hold two or three sessions in one school over the day.

 

I first talk about my author journey, introduce The Magical Tearoom on the Hill and the true story of how Beatrix the Border Collie sought help for me when I suffered a heart attack at the top of a Munro.

 

Then I introduce Beatrix The Time Travelling Collie, which Beatrix wrote herself (I had to type it for her), including her own sad story of crossing the dog rainbow bridge.

 

Next, I introduce Florence, the Border Collie and explain that she is not an adventure dog, so I need help creating some magical adventures for her.

 

Finally, the end of the session is the time when the children work on their ideas for a new book which will be The Tale of Florence and  ? I provide a worksheet for the children with prompts for them.

 

2.      Compiling The Story

All the worksheets are taken away, and I collate all the important ideas/names/creatures for the story for a new book. There will also be some kind of biscuit/tray bake/cake that the children have given suggestions for, which will go at the end of the book.

 

Book 23 of the series will be a compilation of all the recipes from the 22 Tales of Florence and ?

 

3.      Meeting With The Illustrator

With the completed story in draft form, I meet with Jessica Leech from The Ricketty Desk, and discuss which new hand-drawn illustrations are needed for the book. This turns the story from words into something magical for children to read.

 

4.      Typesetting And Publishing The Book

As an experienced proofreader/editor/self-publisher, I transfer the words into different software to typeset the story into a book format and publish it as a paperback book.

 

5.      Presenting The School With Their Book

I will re-visit the school, read the published book to children, and present the school with a signed copy of The Tale of Florence and ?

 

The children then have the opportunity to purchase a copy of this, with the hope that children, along with their family and friends, can read the stories, recognise their words and ideas, and believe they have played their part in helping to write a book and create a new recipe.

 

For more information or to book Debra at your school,

 

Website: Mother Murphy’s

Email: debra@mothermurphys.co.uk

Mobile: 07951843512