Look Back! by Trish Cooke Papilotte Press, £6.99

 

Poring over the pages, she gazed at the pictures.

The bold and colourful illustrations set the scene for the story which engrossed my seven-year-old daughter, Katy.

“I like the pictures,” she said, reaching the end, and adding that she had enjoyed the tale, too.

Look Back! is the kind of tale told at the knee or the bedside and is the latest children’s book from award-winning Bradford writer Trish Cooke.

Beautifully illustrated by Caroline Binch, the children’s book focuses on the relationship between a boy and his story-telling grandmother who keeps him engrossed with the tale of a mysterious creature, Ti Bolom.

Grannie’s initial introduction to Ti Bolom came while running an errand for her neighbour, Ma Constance. Young readers will be captivated by Grannie’s experience and her quest to one day meet the character she has named Ti Bolom.

Who is Ti Bolom? What is Ti Bolom? The tale throws up plenty of questions for young minds to ponder. The real question, though, is whether Ti Bolom actually exists or whether it is simply a figment of the grandmother’s imagination. All will become clear at the end but I won’t spoil it – you’ll have to read it yourself!

For young readers there is plenty of descriptive text to grasp attention and maintain interest. The book feeds youngsters’ imaginations while exploring the heart-warming relationship between generations.

Look Back! is a wonderful easy read which is sure to prompt curiosity, interest and plenty of questions from young readers. Reading it with a child, you are lost in another world, keeping you entertained and intrigued to the last page.

The book is the work of a writer inspired to put pen to paper by her storytelling parents. Born in Bradford, Trish has written 17 children’s books, including the award-winning So Much!, Full, Full, Full Of Love, Mr Pam Pam And The Hullabazoo and The Grandad Tree.

An actress and scriptwriter, Trish’s small screen credits include appearing in the Yorkshire soap, Emmerdale, as well as Coronation Street, EastEnders and Casualty. For eight years she was a presenter on the BBC children’s programme Playdays.

Trish was one of the original writers on BBC children’s programme The Tweenies and has published and broadcast several stage, TV and radio plays.

Her TV work includes storylining for Emmerdale and scriptwriting for EastEnders, Doctors, The Real McCoy and Channel Four’s Get Up Stand Up.

Trish’s theatre plays include Back Street Mammy, Running The Dream and the Olivier Award-nominated Cinderella, the first pantomime to be nominated for the coveted award.

l Look Back! is published this month and Trish will launch the book at Waterstones, in the Wool Exchange, Bradford, on Saturday, June 1, at 1pm.