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An author has shared the stories of her unusual childhood companion — a rollerskate — in her debut children’s book.
Shirley Ross, formerly of Nottinghamshire and now living in Fiskerton, Lincolnshire, drew inspiration from the adventures she had growing up for her first book The Adventures of Derndy the Rollerskate.
From working in a male prison, doing a degree at 45, following a passion for antiques, and starting her own businesses, Shirley took on her latest challenge of becoming a published author at 60 — and Derndy’s tale will officially be released on February 26, by Pegasus Publishers.
“It’s my very first book, the very first time I’ve ever put it forward for publishing,” the author said.
“I was amazed when Pegasus came back and said they’d love to publish it. I’m so excited about it, it’s unbelievable.
“It’s due out on the 26th, but its available for pre-order with Pegasus, Waterstones, Foyles, Blackwell, Amazon — and when I went online it’s on an American platform as well.”
The real-life Derndy was a rollerskate on a string which Shirley used to pull around as a kind of imaginary friend, and who accompanied her throughout much of her youth.
She said: “That’s what the story is about, me growing up in the 60s, 70s, things I used to do in my childhood and with my brothers — with a rollerskate behind me.”
Suitable for children aged around four to nine, The Adventures of Derndy the Rollerskate follows a lonely little girl searching for a special friend, exploring how ‘everyone needs an imaginary friend, no matter what’.
Shirley has no plans of stopping at just one book, and a sequel with even more stories of Derndy’s adventures is already in the works.
