Sean Blane, 43, wrote Seagull Squits in 2021, and was assisted by illustrators and printers also based in North Wales.
The book, written when Sean and his family lived in Dolgarrog in the Conwy Valley, tells the story of a family of seagulls called “The Squitters”.
It is available now via Facebook page – www.facebook.com/tillytalesuk – or Etsy, while copies of the book are also on sale in Conwy’s Tourist Information Centre and in the Castle Gallery & Tearooms, next to Conwy Castle.
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Sean said: “The inspiration for the book came from when my son, Finley, was having brain surgery aged 13, and I was sat in a car park at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool looking at seagulls playing with food by an overflowing bin.
“He’s doing a lot better now, but unfortunately, he has to have two brain surgeries. He lost quite a lot of his eyesight.
“On the back of the book, we’ve put a little note to Alder Hey, saying it’s a charity close to our hearts, and we’re going to donate a percentage of our profits to them.”
In the book, the family of seagulls are all tour guides in Conwy, who strive to keep the town tidy.
And if people drop letter, “they do a ‘squitter’!”, Sean’s wife, Lynsey, said.
She added: “The book is dedicated to our niece and nephews.
Lynsey and Sean’s niece and nephews, to whom the book is dedicated (Image: Lynsey Blane)
“Sadly, Joseph passed away from a brain tumour a month before the book was printed, but he did get to see the prototype of the book before he passed away and thought it was very funny.
“Joseph, and our other nephew, Leon, who has had two heart surgeries, were also treated at Alder Hey.
“So, along with our son having two brain surgeries for epilepsy at Alder Hey, you can see why this charity is so close to our hearts, and why we want to donate a portion of the profits to them.”
Sean said: “It’s my first published work, but this is one of 15 children’s books I’d like to put out, all with similar snappy, funny messages.
“My aim is to engage adults to want to read to their kids. I used to always make up stories for my son, I’ve always been good with telling stories and attention to detail.
“Everyone gives seagulls a bad name, so I’ve put a twist on this, where they’re the protectors of the town. I want it to make everybody more considerate about their surroundings.”
