Past Student Kathleen Launches First Book: Boomer and Blanky on the Farm

Kathleen McPolin, a past student of SERC (@S_ERC) has written and published her first children’s book and is on the road to making her star characters household names.

Kathleen, from Castlewellan, is no stranger to further education has completed courses in Early Years Childcare and Educations before going on to complete her Assessors award. She also recently achieved an NVQ in Computerised Accounts at the College’s Newcastle Campus. Kathleen currently works as a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant in Downpatrick SureStart. Part of her work over the past 12 years has involved facilitating rhythm, rhyme and story time sessions for babies and preschool children with their parents and guardians.

Kathleen’s book, titled Boomer and Blanky On the Farm, follows the adventures of the main characters Boomer and Blanky as they try to bring water back to Hollybush Farm. The beautifully illustrated book has been written and designed to entertain and educate young children. Kathleen said, “Children love to see the same characters appear regularly in their books. They become familiar with the characters and enjoy the new vocabulary in each story. My stories are intentionally short with the aim of retaining the child’s interest.”

Kathleen, who also helps on the family farm with husband John, and their three boys, is very excited about the next stage of Boomer and Blanky. She said, “The plan is to release further adventures featuring the main characters and I have recently secured support through InnovateUs and Southern Regional College which will help me develop my characters into soft toys.”

The book has been well received and Kathleen is delighted to have received a large order from the Speech and Language Therapist led Help Kids Talk programme. Boomer and Blanky On the Farm is available at Smyth’s Musique Newcastle, JR’S in Castlewellan and Downpatrick. It can also be ordered online through Shanway Press, Amazon and Waterstones.