THEY say there is a book in everyone and writing it is an ambition shared by many.

Books can spark the imagination; they can educate and inspire and they can also provide an escape into another world.

In an age when the way we read has changed - many of us still enjoy thumbing through chapters while others will swipe the pages on a screen - the pleasure of reading remains the same.

For David Greaves completing his series of children’s books wasn’t just one of many ambitions achieved it has created a lasting legacy his wife Philippa and his family are keen to share.

Sadly, David died in September 2016. It was shortly after his 30th birthday that he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

This devastating illness mainly affects people in their 60s and 70s but can affect adults of all ages.

An uncommon condition, it causes weakness affecting the brain and nerves.

Despite losing the use of his arms and speech during the later months of his illness David, who was brought up in Ackworth near Pontefract, wrote nine children’s books.

Using the revolutionary Eye Gaze Technology allowed David to type by tracking the movement of his eyes.

Now the first book of the series written by David and illustrated by Emily Wallis has been published in hardback and ebook.

Mr Snuffles’ Birthday is a charming tale featuring the character, Mr Snuffles, who embarks on a woodland hunt for his favourite truffles to celebrate his Birthday.

Young readers will delight in the characters they meet as they accompany Mr Snuffles on his way.

Among them are his old friend Mr Snorer, Gnaw and Gnawm, the Snorey Bears, Herbert the Hoggle and little hoglet Herby.

However, Mr Snuffles notices they are all dressed to impress prompting him to contemplate whether they may be going to a party - to which he doesn’t appear to be invited.

Mr Snuffles feels sorry for himself and decides to head home but as he approaches his abode he is greeted by the smell of a familiar fragrance and sounds of laughter. Maybe, just maybe, Mr Snuffles will be celebrating his special occasion after all.

Mr Snuffles Birthday is the perfect book for encouraging children to read - reading is, after all, an important foundation for learning and this book beautifully captures the imagination.

Reading is very much a shared activity too. Reading with young ones offers parents and carers the opportunity to spend precious family time together.

Eventually David’s wife and his family hope to publish all of his completed works.

Aside from writing David loved travel and adventure which led him to make friends around the world with people from all walks of life.

He was also an ultra-marathon runner and Iron Man triathlete.

During the 15 months after his diagnosis David married the love of his life and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain raising more than £12,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

He also travelled through East Africa before settling in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Published by Clink Street Publishing on May 1 in hardback and ebook, Mr Snuffles’ Birthday by David Greaves & illustrated by Emily Wallis is available to purchase from online retailers including Amazon.

It is also available to order from all good bookshops.

By Sally Clifford