Amazing Stories in Rhyme is a new children’s book of short humorous rhyming tales with fun illustrations (courtesy Stewart M Dearden) by a canine poet.

Jock Sprocket is ‘a very clever dog who writes children’s stories’ explains John Irving, who may possibly have had a hand in its creation.

John’s home town Selkirk has long been associated with a famous Border collie named Black Bob who featured in the DC Thomson comics. John felt it only proper that he continue the tradition and so Jock Sprocket was born. John himself works as Jock’s assistant. He credits the Writers’ News Home Study poetry course as playing a part in the book’s conception and it was his Home Study tutor Roger Kendall who helped edit the book and offer support.

The inspiration for the book came to John while working as a salesman at schools. ‘Whilst waiting to see the head teacher, I would read some of the children’s books; I found many of the stories to be quite dull and felt that it would be something of a chore to have to read these to children.’

For this reason Roger set himself the task of writing a book for children that would engage adults too, and the result is a very amusing and colourful set of tales. Good boy Jock.

Details: Amazing Stories in Rhyme (£4.99, Four O’Clock Press) is available from Jock’s website: www.jocksprockett.co.uk