Chasing the Rainbow
A St Leonards' grandfather's legacy has been continued by a 13 year-old girl in New Zealand.
Retired antiquarian bookseller and would-be novelist Anthony Hodges died in August 2007, leaving behind an uncompleted manuscript for a children's book, Chasing the Rainbow.
When his granddaughter Naomi Moore -herself an aspiring writer- visited Hastings for his funeral, from her home in New Zealand, she was told about the book by her grandmother Sheila Hodges, and said she would like to finish it.
Sheila, of Harrow Road, said: "I agreed, but thought it unlikely she could finish it in his style, as it is so different to hers.
"They went home in September, and just before Christmas it was finished.
"I couldn't believe it.
"She said she wanted to do it in her Grandad's memory. I read the end of my husbands story, and then Naomi's part, and it was just as though my husband had written it.
"It has been published in New Zealand, and it has gone down a treat -in fact the first edition has sold out."
Naomi and family moved to Whangarei on the North Island of New Zealand in 2004, after her father Andre was offered work as a vehicle inspector there.
She said: "I still miss England, but I like both countries in different ways. I have a big family and I miss them all a lot, especially my nanny.
"I remember quite a lot about Hastings, but I was reminded again when we came back to Hastings in August for my grandfather's funeral.
"The book was started many years ago by my grandfather in a different era to mine, so my style of writing is more modern, though I tried to adapt to his.
"The story is set in Sussex, during a heatwave in July.
"One of the main characters, Gyp, one night awakens to find snow falling outside his window. He sets out to investigate with his friend Jeff and they find themselves climbing a rainbow into an amazing adventure on a cloud above the earth, where two worlds are at war.
"They must find the Wizard in order to get home again.
"I like writing because you can just sit down and do whatever you want, with nobody to tell you what to do.
"My mum and dad are very proud of me, and my nan is very proud and happy that my grandfather's book is finished and available for the public to read. My friends are very impressed and excited, and they think that the book is great."
Sheila said: "What a tribute to a very loved grandpops. It's just a shame he isn't here to see it in print. He always wanted to go to New Zealand, and now with his books in libraries, he will always be there."
To purchase a copy of Chasing the Rainbow go to www.naomi-moore.co.uk.
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Weather for Hastings
Monday 28 May 2012
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