AUTHOR Amanda ‘AJ’ Madelin from Farnham has self-published her first children’s book ‘The Spell of Whirldungen’ - some three decades after starting work on the novel.

Amanda, 70, started writing her novel 34 years ago when her son, Chris, was just six years old. After family life delayed the artistic process, Madelin had to put the book on hold until recently.

The story was conceived after tales she would tell her son to calm his fear of going to school.

The book, which is also self-illutrated, is set in a magical school in which four friends must find a spell to beat the evil headmaster, Dr Black.

Some more adult themes are explored such as estranged parents using an accessible platform to engage parents and enable children to tackle these issues.

Amanda hopes The Spell of Whirldungen will be the first entry into ‘The Christopher Pratt Chronicles’. Her second book is already written and she is currently writing the third.

Farnham Waterstones hosted a book signing with the author on August 21, and Amanda had a “lovely evening” with a very warm reception. There were many children present including a nine-year-old boy who was using her book for a project at school.