RSPCA South London Branch is calling on animal lovers to put a heart-warming welfare story with a difference on their Christmas reading lists to help boost its funds.
The branch, which runs three retail outlets in Croydon, Crystal Palace and Tooting and delivers local animal services, has published ‘The Life & Times of Mr Bartholomew Bucket’, which has been written by branch chairman Will Linsdell.
Will (pictured) hopes the quirky work of junior fiction, which is aimed at children 8-12 and upwards, as well as young-at- heart adults, will inspire interest in animal welfare issues among the youth.
The large-size book has been illustrated by Dr Chris Michaels, the partner of the branch’s animal welfare officer, Cheska Servini, and tells the story of a magical bucket that has senses and a subliminal connection with teenage owner Jack.
Will says his story, which is set in the late 1960s, maintains an animal welfare theme throughout, and is all about “forging bonds of friendship and finding love with a few amusing mishaps along the way”.
“We wanted to make a children’s book and one that appealed to younger readers because they are the pet owners of the future,” said Will. “It’s about relationships and overcoming hardship. As well as its animal welfare message there is a nostalgic slant to it as it’s set in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In fact the story starts off in grimy East London in an era of post-war struggle when there is little in the way of modern conveniences and the country is being rebuilt – so it’s a time many of our target readers will not be that familiar with.
“The story then moves on to life on an environmentally-friendly farm in rural Suffolk. It is a real entertaining and educational yarn for young readers.”
Will has previously enjoyed success with three other books he has penned, including a fan book that chronicled his passion for Manchester City long before the club’s dominance of the Premiership, and another about a rail expedition he made across the Balkans.
He added: “If young readers would like to find out how a bucket can possibly be the central character of a book then they should buy this book and at the same time they will be helping fund the vital animal welfare work carried out across what is a large and demanding urban area covered by the South London Branch.”
The Life & Times of Mr Bartholomew Bucket is available at Amazon, either as a large paperback or e-book format (£15 paperback, £4.99 kindle edition) – just search for Bartholomew Bucket. It can also be bought in the branch’s three shops and other selected outlets in South London.
