Retired teacher turns her hand to writing

Penelope Cox has seen her first two books published. Both concern the adventures of Laura (14). The first '“ called In The Blink of An Eye '“ sees the teenager find a supernatural locket which enables her to travel back to the year 895AD when the Vikings were marauding around England.

The follow-up, Aliens and Warmongers, sees Laura at the time of Cromwell and England's civil war.

Both stories involve friendship and discovery, adventure and danger and goodies and baddies.

A third book about the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century and a fourth which concerns the British Raj in India are on their way.

Mrs Cox said: 'It's quite exciting to have my books published. I really can't believe it. I think writing a good children's book is about making the adventures exciting so the children can use their imagination but, at the same time, speaking directly to them.'

She took up writing a couple of years ago after her previous retirement pastime of painting was ruled out because of her late cat. The ageing feline became unable to climb the stairs to the attic studio of the Southdean Drive home which Mrs Cox shared with her.

So she decided to take up a hobby which she could do downstairs with the cat around her and fell in love with writing.

One of her paintings, of Arundel Castle, has been used on the cover of her second book.

Penelope retired from a lifetime in teaching in 1994 to give her plenty of experience upon which to base her books for readers aged eight to 17.

Her last job was leading Connaught Junior School in Littlehampton for 11 years. Her books can be bought at the www.athenapress.com and www.amazon.com websites as well as bookshops.