Released on = August 29, 2006, 2:28 pm

Press Release Author = Christine Harris

Industry = Entertainment

Press Release Summary = Reality is not far away in this collection of 6 stories for
young children. Each tale captures the magic of childhood and, at the same time,
teaches us that anything is possible if we believe in ourselves.

Press Release Body = Self-belief, friendships and adventures are constant themes
running through this collection where the characters take us into a world where
wishes are made and dreams can really come true.

Education Themes used in primary PHSCE are evident in these stories and provide a
good, entertaining 'spark' to promote meaningful discussion in the infant classroom.

Excerpt from the book: Splish! Splash! Splosh!
Todd the tadpole went on his way, once more, wriggling in and out of the water weeds.
One day Todd was rushing around as usual and not watching where he was going.
'Oops! Wrong way!' he muttered as he nearly bumped into a stickleback.
'Watch where you're going, kicking all over the place,' grumbled the fish. 'You may
have two legs but I have a strong tail and lots of spikes so watch it!'
'Legs? I have legs?'
Up Todd wriggled as fast as he could.
'Oops! Wrong way again!' grinned Todd as he bumped into two water boatmen floating
on the surface of the water.
'I have legs!' shouted Todd. 'My magic coin gave me these legs.'
'Just be careful!' they muttered, 'or those legs will get you into bother!'
Some days later, as Todd swam round in his usual manner, something raced past him
with the biggest kick and splash Todd had ever seen.
'Croak! Croak!' called 'the someone'. Within minutes he had gone!
'Who was that?' wondered Todd to himself.
The following day Todd swam back to his silver coin lying in the sand.
'Coin,' asked Todd. 'Thank you for my legs; they're lovely, but yesterday I saw
someone with four legs and he was able to kick and splash so much better than me. Do
you think that you could perhaps give me four legs instead of two?'
The coin said nothing.
'I'll leave you to think about it,' said Todd, feeling very unsure of himself.
Kick! Splish! Splash!
Off went Todd to explore his pond once more. Over the days Todd grew two extra legs
and he was so happy.
Todd was now sure that his magic coin was the best friend he could wish for and he
was so proud of his four legs that he went to show them to his friend Snail.
Todd hadn't noticed his tail getting shorter; Snail thought that it would be better
not to mention it.
As he and Snail chatted together a voice called out nearby. 'Hello! Are you coming
to play?'
Todd answered, not knowing who was speaking to him,
'I would like to but.'
'Go on,' urged Snail. 'You can do it. I would have to crawl very slowly up my plant
to get to the surface of this pond. With your four legs you could do it in one
leap.'
'But what about my coin? I can't do it without my magic wishes.'
'Of course you can,' reassured Snail. You don't need an old coin, even if it is
magic. You have grown four long legs which can kick and splash as well as any other
creature in this pond. And what's more you did it all by yourself! You don't need
magic; you have just got to believe!'
Todd closed his eyes. 'I know I can,' he whispered to himself.
He kicked as hard as he could and made a very little splash.
Then a bigger splash! Then an even bigger splash!
He took a deep breath and with one leap he jumped right out of the pond.

Splash!

A shoal of minnows came to see what was happening.
'Where is Todd?' they all called together.
'I'm here! I'm here!' he called. 'I'm out of the pond!'
His new friend sat beside him.
Todd looked down and saw his reflection in the water.
He was so happy.
'I'm a frog,' he whispered and smiled.
As Todd sat in the sunshine and breathed in the fresh air around him, a giggle came
from deep inside the pond and a coin twinkled in the murky water as it lay, no
longer needed, on the sandy floor.


About the Author: Christine Harris is a primary school teacher who has enjoyed
sharing her life with hundreds of young people. With a demanding career and a family
of her own to support she has been kept busy for many years. She is now determined
to realise a career in children's stories, writing and illustrating her own work.
This is Christine's first book for young children and she promises it won't be the
last!

FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE BOOK, CONTACT:

Christine Harris (author)
E-mail: chriseharris@dsl.pipex.com

A copy of DOWN THE LANE TALES can be ordered from Authorhouse at:

www.authorhouse.co.uk/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~37741.aspx

and from Amazon.co.uk at:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1425932096/026-5100346-8787646?v

Web Site = http://www.authorhouse.co.uk/BookStore/ItemDetail~bookid~37741.aspx

Contact Details = Christine Harris (author)
E-mail: chriseharris@dsl.pipex.com