Stanion man publishes children's Christmas book

A man who lives in Stanion has published a children’s Christmas book about a mouse who meets Santa.

Patrick Brown, author of ‘The Little Christmas Thief - When the Mouse Met Santa, wrote the book for his daughter when she was five-years-old.

Patrick came up with the idea for the book after daughter, Myah, told him not to eat the mince pies they’d left out for Santa.

Patrick said: “One Christmas Eve, Myah told me that she wanted to leave out a plate of mince pies. She made it clear that they were for Santa, and under no circumstances was I to eat them. That gave me the idea for a story. I spent two weeks planning and writing it, and just had it finished in time to present to my daughter on Christmas day.”

In the story it isn’t Patrick who eats the pies, but a hungry mouse. When Santa finds that his supper has been eaten, he departs without leaving any presents. The mouse feels guilty, so sets off with a friend to find Santa and bring him back.

For 14 years, the story sat gathering dust. People who read it told Patrick he should publish it, but he knew it needed illustrations.

Patrick said: “Sadly, I am no artist. Then my wife Lesley got chatting with local disabled artist, Yuki Harris. We had previously bought some of her paintings. When my wife mentioned the story, she very kindly offered to do the artwork for it.”

Yuki lived in Corby at the time but has since moved to Cornwall.

After several months of collaboration, the book was finally finished, with beautiful illustrations by Yuki.

Patrick presented a copy of the publication to his daughter on her birthday, the day of its launch. A few days later she left for university in Eastbourne. She is now 19-years-old.

Patrick is originally from Catworth in Cambridgeshire but moved to the area to work in the pathology department at Kettering General Hospital. Patrick worked at KGH for 38 years before retiring.

The Little Christmas Thief - When the Mouse Met Santa was released September 17 and is available for purchase on Amazon.