THERE were smiles all round at the Museum of Farnham earlier this month as award-winning local children’s author Ally Sherrick and guests celebrated the launch of her second book titled ‘The Buried Crown’.

More than 70 guests joined Ally, including Chicken House’s Publisher, Barry Cunningham, who gave J.K. Rowling her big publishing break with Harry Potter and Ally’s editor, Kesia Lupo.

The book is suitable for children aged nine and above, and is set in 1940 on the eve of the Blitz.

It tells the story of 12-year-old evacuee George Penny and German Jewish refugee, Kitty Regenbogen and their race against time to stop an ancient piece of Anglo-Saxon treasure falling into the hands of a bunch of Nazi treasure-thieves.

One of the inspirations for the story is Ally’s 85-year-old father, George Burt, who was evacuated to Wales as a small boy during the war and who came dressed as an Anglo-Saxon king.

Guests enjoyed wine and home-baked lebkuchen biscuits courtesy of Ally’s husband, Steve, a reading from the book by her sister, Elisabeth Clark, and a song from Ally’s friend and fellow writer, Sharon Wigley.

Talking after the event, Ally, whose debut novel, ‘Black Powder’, won the Historical Association’s Young Quills Award in 2017, said: “It was such a lovely evening. I was over the moon that so many friends and family came along to help us celebrate. And it was great to be able to hold the event at the museum, as there’s a museum in my story too.

“My thanks to Rob at Farnham Waterstones for coming along to do the book sales, to the staff at Farnham Museum and to everyone for getting into the spirit of things and wearing crowns and 1940s-inspired costume.”

The book is available at all good booksellers or online at www.allysherrick.com.