Johnny Magory in Woodbine Books today

For those who have children to read stories to, there's a real treat for all concerned when the author of the Johnny Magory series comes to Woodbine Books today, Saturday, writes Brian Byrne.

It's a family event on 16 February, from 12 noon to 1pm, and Emma-Jane Leeson will read from her books, which have their genesis in bedtime stories told to Emma-Jane and her sibling by their parents. She continued the tradition after her own first daughter was born.

Many will remember the playground poem “I’ll tell you a story/About Johnny McGory/Will I Begin it?/That’s all that’s in it!” Well, Emma-Jane has brought real stories, based on where she and her family live in Ballynafagh near Prosperous.

She self-publishes the Johnny Magory books, which she hopes will generate a love of Irish heritage, culture and nature for the children who read them. "I also hope that the books encourage a love of reading and a curiosity in nature," she says.

The Woodbine Books event is free and all are welcome, especially the children.

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