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Born to Dance by Katherine Reynolds

Somerset writer, Katherine Reynolds, has just published her first children’s novel, Born to Dance. While the book is a full-length work of fiction, Katherine prefers to see it as a biography. “The central characters-- Dylan de Polka, a tap-dancing dray horse, and Red Tabby, a worldly-wise cat –– came knocking at the door of my imagination some years back demanding that their story be told,” she says.

But Dylan and Tabby had to take a back seat to Katherine’s busy career in journalism and in film and TV production. Then, in 1998, she and her film-actor husband moved from Toronto, Canada to Somerset, to be near to their film-maker daughter, and their grandsons. Inspired by the gentle beauty of the Vale of Taunton Deane, Katherine, at last, succumbed to the pleas of her two fictional friends and set to work.
In his day job, Dylan pulls a milk cart, but his love of tap-dancing leads him to make a terrible mistake; his world turns topsy-turvy; and he finds himself in mortal danger. Red Tabby risks life and limb to rescue him, but now, with their enemies out for blood, the two friends must flee or face capture.

As they journey together far from home, they stumble upon what seems like an ideal haven – the Happy Days Circus. But, at the circus, all is far from happy. Abandoned by their owners, the animal performers are in worse trouble than the two refugees. If Dylan and Red Tabby are to save themselves, it seems they also must save the troupe.
Dylan and Red Tabby are joined in their adventure by a colourful cast of characters: Irma the Elephant, Ranga Orang-utan, the Meerkat Clowns, Marmaduke Monkey, Bandmaster Sea Lion, Prudence and Charlie Chimpanzee, Ringmaster Chia, Madame Lulu Bombazine, Lord Stomper, and more – not forgetting the villains of the story, Dangerous Dennis and his bumbling sidekick, Clumsy Golightly.

An ideal gift for children and grandchildren aged 8 to 12 (and discerning grown-ups) who love to read, Born to Dance is a timeless tale of friendship and adventure, hardship and triumph. Just the thing for a winter’s evening. So, stir up the fire; pour a large mug of hot chocolate; and settle down to a good long read.

Born to Dance can be ordered from the local and national bookshops listed on our web site. Katherine also offers readings to schools and hospitals in her local area. Please Email Katherine to find out if readings are available in your area. To learn more, click on http://borntodance.wordpress.com

Please E-mail if you have any questions or queries

30/05/2008 Born to Dance has won the 1st Prize for Children's Fiction - from the David St. John Thomas Trust against national competition.