In a departure from the Hornbill Publishing label, I have written a book to raise funds for RSPCA South London. Here is their press release.

We are delighted to announce the publication of ‘The Life & Times of Mr Bartholomew Bucket’.

The book has been written by our chairman and illustrated superbly by the partner of our Animal Welfare Officer. All profits from the sale of the book will come to us to be used in our animal welfare work.

The unusual book is aimed at mid grade children upwards plus young at heart adults, and centres around a magical bucket that has senses and a subliminal connection with teenager Jack, his creator and owner.

Set in the late sixties just as mankind would step on the moon for the first time, the book is about overcoming hardship, forming unbreakable friendships, creating family bonds and ultimately finding love, with a few amusing mishaps along the way and an animal welfare theme throughout.

It starts in grimy East London in an era of post war struggle, little in the way of modern conveniences and the rebuilding of the country, before moving onto an environmentally friendly farm in rural Suffolk.

We think the story is both entertaining and educational. If you would like to find out how a bucket can possibly be the central character of a book, you can purchase it now from Amazon in either large paperback or e-book format.

It will shortly also be available in our three shops and other outlets in South London.

A great read for a great cause! Click on BUCKET to find out more.

About RSPCA South London Branch: An independent charity affiliated to the national RSPCA, our aim is to provide animal welfare assistance throughout our large and demanding area, that serves half a million people. Our branch totally relies upon the generosity of our supporters, donors and volunteers, without whom we simply could not exist. Find out more about us HERE.

About the author: Will has had three books published before, most recently a fictional thriller set in South-East Asia. He lives near Croydon with his wife & miniature poodle and is chairman of our branch.

About the illustrator: Dr Chris Michaels is an artist, biologist and conservationist with a love of combining these themes wherever possible. He has produced illustrations for a children’s educational book about the endangered purple frog of India, and for a number of scientific publications. Chris lives in Croydon with his partner and a menagerie of amphibians.