A budding children's author's story about a young girl's fantasy journey to find the brightest star in the galaxy has gone into print after winning a touring theatre company's writing competition.
Twenty-three-year-old Abigail Corr's tale 'Thank You, Mr. Moon' was selected as the winner of the competition run by The Bristol Old Vic as it toured the play 'A Monster Calls', based on the best-selling novel of the same name.
Her story was read out at the Lowry Theatre during a performance early in 2020 shortly before the pandemic resulted in the closure of all venues.
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Abigail, of Astley Bridge in Bolton, was then approached by publisher Pegasus which has just put out an illustrated version of the story in print.
It's available from WH Smiths and Amazon and is also being promoted by a YouTube channel based in Texas, which also specialises in streaming.
Her story is based on her niece, Lily and is targeted at children aged up to six.
"She's the main character," said Abigail. "She's a little girl of seven obsessed with space.
"One night, the moon starts talking to her, and together they go on a journey to find the brightest star in the galaxy.
"She gets very upset when she thinks she can't find the brightest star until Mr Moon tells her to look inside her heart. Then she realises that she is the brightest star."
Abigail said she was inspired to write the story because she's a big advocate of 'self-love' and she thinks it important for children growing up to have confidence and not to fear what is ahead.
"My niece will soon be going to secondary school, which can be a daunting experience, so the original intention was for it to help her make the transition. I didn't expect to win the competition or for it to go into print."
The illustrated story is written in rhyming style.
Abigail, who is also doing a master's degree in psychology at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN), has also been working as a teaching assistant at Hardy Mill CP School in Harwood, Bolton and has read the story to children there.
"They were so engrossed in the story, which is really pleasing," said Abigail.
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