23 June 2015 Balamory Kim writes the story

23 June 2015
Balamory Kim writes the story
The star of one of children’s TV ‘s most loved shows is using her own experiences of
disability to help children understand what it’s like to be different and how to embrace
their own uniqueness.
Kim Tserkezie who played Penny Pocket in the hit CBeebies series, Balamory has
written her first children’s book, “Toys for Tomorrow” about young Millie, a
wheelchair user who has a love for adventure and an amazing Grandad who helps
her see how, with a little guidance, even the cheekiest little ones can channel their
energy into something positive and wonderful.
The book is the first in a series entitled, “The Wheelie Wonderful Life of Millie
Monroe” and Kim is now taking the time to talk to children about the book and her
experiences of disability and how she became successful in her chosen career.
Indeed, the Newcastle based actress has had a fully active life. As well as being a
mum to her two children Stella and Jay, Kim’s acting credits have seen her working
alongside Robson Green and gaining membership of the prestigious BAFTA
organisation. She has also recently launched her own production company,
Scattered Pictures and was voted in a national poll as ‘the best representation of a
wheelchair user on screen’ and one of the ‘most influential disabled people in the
UK.
Millie’s story simply came into Kim’s head one morning and led her to question the
lack of disabled lead characters in children’s books. That realisation made Kim even
more determined to address the balance and give other disabled children a positive
role model to look up to and learn from.
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“The books are based on a young wheelchair-user, her little life and her little
community, based on a little bit of my own experience. I’m hoping it’ll be something
that children find fun and enjoy” said Kim.
Kim has received mentoring and support from her publisher and fellow author
Catherine Muir from Edinburgh who herself has written a series of books about a girl
who is teased because of her name, Scarlet Underpants. The two authors will soon
be doing a short tour of North East venues and bookstores where Kim will be reading
from Toys for Tomorrow.
As a taster for the tour, the first venue visited was Collingwood School & Media Arts
College in Morpeth where Kim read the book to xx students who all have special
needs.
“I wanted to launch this book in the North
East at a school where the children
would be able to identify with Millie. Their
reactions were great and they all
seemed to enjoy the experience of the
reading and the messages conveyed in
the story.”
Photo shows: Kim reading to children at Collingwood School, Morpeth
Head teacher Richard Jones was delighted that Kim has chosen his school for the
book launch.
“We are a specialist media arts college and therefore we not only benefited from
hearing Kim read the new book but we also heard about her career as an actress
and how she started the production company too. Coincidently too, we have just won
a Green Schools award and Kim’s book deals with recycling. We wish Kim every
success with the book and look forward to welcoming her back when the next one is
released.”
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Dates for Kim’s book reading appearances will be posted soon.
Copies of the book are available from the publisher at
http://kittycatpublishing.com/books/toys-for-tomorrow/
Photo shows: Kim reading to children at Collingwood School, Morpeth
Adults are Catherine Muir, Kim Tserkezie and Richard Jones
More information from Keith Newman Highlights PR 07814 397951
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