New children’s book by author with Dundalk connections

An Irish artist and author with Dundalk links will release her first children’s book on November 7.

Caoimhe M. Flanagan's book 'Willow Wood Land & the World of Yesterday' is the first in a planned series for readers aged 7 and upwards, about a girl called Aria and her faery friend Lu.

Adventure abounds as they explore an enchanting realm, inspired by the natural beauty of the local landscape. Caoimhe lived in Dundalk for 10 years before returning to her native Monaghan, where the seed for the book was originally planted.

“Willow Wood Land has been a magical place in my mind from a very early age: a faery land inspired by my grandfather’s garden. As a child, I imagined the garden coming alive with faery activity come dusk when it was time for us to come inside for the evening. There always was a last-minute glance back, just in case!” said Caoimhe.

The culmination of three years’ work, and a lifelong dream. Caoimhe began the book while taking a course with Emma-Jane Leeson of Johnny Magory, writing at night when her children were tucked up in bed.

“In 2020 when the world slowed down and we were spending every day in the garden, I started writing, and it has taken until now to have a book in my hand that I am happy enough with to release. I decided to self-publish rather than go through the process of submitting to many traditional publishers because I had a clear vision of what I wanted the book to look like.

"From the weight of the paper and the formatting style, to the texture on the cover, these details were so important to me, and I wanted to have full control on all decisions throughout the design and production process. I knew I could illustrate it myself so I figured I would learn everything else on my feet.

"There were many challenges, finding a printer that I was happy with was the main one. But while it was difficult at times, I have learned so much and the next book will be so much easier,” said Caoimhe.

“You can’t but be inspired when living in Castleblayney. I feel so blessed to have such beauty on my doorstep,” added Caoimhe, who was born and raised in the County Monaghan countryside. As well as drawing on the local landscape, the book is influenced by Caoimhe’s affinity with nature and her own garden.

“My grandfather was one of the most influential people in my life. I would spend so much time with him in his garden. He lived a simple life and grew all his food. And my grandmother baked using all he grew. Granda’s garden was magical: stunning mature trees, little paths, hidden woodland areas and magical surprises around every corner. A few years ago, I moved my little family from Dundalk to my grandparent’s cottage and was blessed to become the guardian of the garden.

“After 20 years of neglect, it was completely overgrown. We have spent the past few years working to bring life and magic back into the garden. As each season came and went, the garden slowly but surely began to resemble the beautiful garden I loved to play in as a child. I now watch my own young children playing in the garden searching for faeries.

"They call the copper beech tree the ‘faery tree’, and when quizzed on that, my daughter answered that it was how the faeries came into the garden. That copper beech tree became Laurie, one of Willow Wood Land’s most important characters.”

Caoimhe is excited about launching her first book, but prioritises the opinions of the young readers at whom the book is aimed.

“I think I will only feel proud of and happy with the finished book when I hear of little children enjoying the story, because at the end of the day, that is the goal: to inspire a little child to look for the magic in nature, because just like that quote by Ralph Hodgson, some things have to be believed to be seen.”