Starry Story Twinkles Bright
Josie Tolliday, aged 9 from Ardross is the only Highland finalist in a national bedtime-story writing competition which attracted thousands of entries. She wrote her story “Starlight Wishes”, which features some of her favourite animals, for younger children to help them drift of to sleep. Nestled amongst the gentle rhythms and rhymes is a moving environmental message for all ages.
Josie entered the competition for 7 to 12 years olds which is sponsored by Silent Night beds, through Ardross Primary School and has been invited to London for a special event on Tuesday 7 August where award winning children’s author Jeremy Strong will read her story and those of the other 9 finalists to a panel of judges at Waterstone’s flagship store in Piccadilly. The panel will vote for the winning bedtime story which will be professionally illustrated and then published.
Josie is very excited about the trip. She said: “When I got the phone call to say my story had been picked for the final I was so excited that I couldn’t stop smiling. I wrote the story for my younger sister Nadia who enjoys me reading to her at night. We share a room and it is lovely to snuggle up and tell each other bedtime stories.
“During the winter months we like looking up at the stars through our skylight and this gave me the idea to write my story. Wouldn’t it be lovely if all other children could fall asleep safely under a starry sky?
When she grows up Josie wants to combine being a vet with writing stories about all the animals she helps. Her favourite animals are polar bears and her dream would be one day to travel to see wild polar bears in the artic.
Proud mum Helen Tolliday will be accompanying Josie to London for the awards ceremony. She said: “Josie has written a fantastic story and we are all very pleased for her. Some of our London relatives are planning to come along to the event to give some extra support and we have received lots of good luck messages from our neighbours and friends in Ardross.”