MUFFIN & SCRUFF

First published in the Mayfield and Five Ashes Village newsletter, April 2010.

I have written before about the dubious benefits of visits from would-be authors, visiting with their sometimes less than riveting reads, and also the joys of discovering a local book that really hits the mark. So it is this month.

A few months ago, Mayfield resident Deb Findlater approached me with an idea for a children’s book that she was writing, mainly for bedtime stories for her grandson, Jake. It looked nice and appealing as an idea so I did not put her off. Just as well, as she came back in during February and her book had blossomed from a charming and quirky piece to the fantastic finished product “Muffin and Scruff”.
Most books of this type, even if the story is well written, have lots of rough edges, often literally; as the page setting, typeface, binding etc are some way off the professional standard. Not with this one though – Deb must have spent months polishing it into shape, it is just right, spot-on. A quality product, spiral bound with thick glossy card pages and perfectly laid out with beautiful illustrations by Janet Duchesne. Child friendly and child proof.
There are ten stories each one revolving around our two farmyard friends, “Two little chickens always up to mischief.” and their lives on the farm. Not only are the stories charming for young children, but they also have a moral element in that the tales revolve around thinking about others and the results of their actions. They are cleverly thought out and suitable both as bedtime stories for little ones and reading stories for when they get older.

At £8.75 for ten stories it is great value for money. A mass market publisher would have split it up and sold it for £4.99 for each story. If you are after an egg-related present for Easter – this is it! Even better, Deb will be in the shop on the morning of Easter Saturday to sign copies.