The Legend of Childer’s Forest Gillian Young Blog Tour

The Legend of Childer’s Forest by Gillian Young

Paperback published by Wyre Owl Books 20th October 2023

Pages 352

ISBN 9781738406807

Poppy the golden retriever returns with her younger sister, Devon, in another crazy cream adventure.

When a family of rabbits are driven from their home, Poppy and Devon make it their mission to help.

Their quest takes them to Childer’s Forest, the site of ancient and mysterious events. But when the safety of their human brother, Jack, is also threatened, Poppy and Devon call on the famous Legend of Childer’s Forest for help.

An extract from The Legend of Childer’s Forest

‘It began one dull and overcast morning.
As Poppy lay sleeping in the hall, she heard an almighty clang followed by a loud rattle. Rolling onto her belly, she stared at the front door, eyes opened wide.
Meanwhile, Devon barked furiously from upstairs.
Poppy’s heart raced. What on earth…?
She heard Mom from the living room say, ‘It’s started then.’ No one was with her. Dad was at work, and Jack and Evie were both at school, so goodness knows who she was talking to.
Another clang followed by a roar sent Devon flying down the stairs and running into the living room, growling angrily.
There was nothing else for it, Poppy had to investigate

The Legend of Childer’s Forest By Gillian Young

About author Gillian Young

Gillian Young was born and raised in Worcestershire, UK.

She’s written and illustrated four children’s middle-grade books: POPPY ON SAFARI, TAMMY AND WILLOW, POPPY LOVES DEVON and THE LEGEND OF CHILDER’S FOREST. Three of these books are part of the Crazy Cream Adventure Series, which follows the antics of Poppy, the crazy cream retriever. The title for this series comes from Poppy’s Instagram account called; @crazy.cream.retrievers.x

Gillian has been both a book and dog lover for most of her life. Each dog has it’s own unique personality and this is what inspired Gillian to write engaging, feel-good stories staring these amazing canine ‘furriends’. Gillian also enjoys drawing and photography, both of which are featured in her books. Thanks to her thousands upon thousands of photographs, she creates drawings from these images and incorporates them into her books.

Following on from Poppy on Safari and Poppy Loves Devon, Gillian has just released another in the Crazy Cream Adventure series, a spooky tale entitled, The Legend of Childer’s Forest. She is also working on a supernatural thriller which will hopefully be released in 2024.

Her stand alone children’s middle-grade book, Tammy and Willow focuses on the struggles faced when a beloved pet dies. This book follows both Hannah and her border collie, Tammy. Both are suffering due to changes neither asked for nor wanted. Following her death, Tammy finds herself in a world where no one can see or hear her – until a puppy joins her family. Finally, with help from the puppy, Tammy finds a way to communicate with Hannah again.

In her spare time, Gillian likes walking her golden retrievers, Poppy and Devon, around the forest, going to castles, cathedrals and other places steeped in history, and sitting back in front of the log burner with a good book and a glass wine.

Gillian is represented by LitPR. Her author journey has seen her appear on radio, in magazines and give talks and book signings in bookshops and schools with the star of the Crazy Cream Adventures – Poppy🐾

Gillian Young Notes.

The Legend of the Childer’s Forest is loosely tied to a few historical facts, but the names of characters and places have been changed, except for those of Charles Stuart and Oliver Cromwell. When reading about Charles Stuart’s escape in 1651 following his defeat at the Battle of Worcester, I was fascinated to learn that his journey took him literally across my doorstep! I’ve included more facts in one of the later chapters when a tour guide speaks to his audience. Here, the guide explains what happened following Oliver Cromwell’s death. I spent a lot of time researching the English Civil War via the internet and books. Elements of what I found out have been incorporated into The Legend of Childer’s Forest. Yet Captain Childer and the Legend are entirely products of my imagination. Both are inspired by what I’d read about the future king of England’s escape all those years ago and the forest where I spent much of my time with Poppy and Devon. I must admit, loving history as much as I do, I spent more time researching Charles’s escape with his band of loyal soldiers than I needed to but it was fascinating.