A Very Spooky Tail

“What was that?” whispered Alley. “Did you hear those strange sounds, like the screeching of owls or the baying of hounds.” But it was just the wind moaning in the dark of the night, it was spooky and scary and it gave them a fright. They shivered and shook at the creaking of doors, rain tapping on windows like skeleton claws.... Do these words sound vaguely familiar? Most parents will no doubt remember similar spine-tingling moments from their childhood, when at night every shadow seemed to be a scary monster lurking in wait for unwary children, and the howling of the wind would echo the screeching of an owl. A time when even venturing downstairs after dark could, with the help of a child's imagination, suddenly turn into a scary adventure. Meet Alley and her two little brothers, and join them on a spooky midnight escapade which they plan in their own home. With unexpected results! This strikingly illustrated book is written in a warm poetic style (with not a real ghost in sight) it's all in their imagination!

“What was that?” whispered Alley. “Did you hear those strange sounds, like the screeching of owls or the baying of hounds?” But it was just the wind moaning in the dark of the night, it was spooky and scary and it gave them a fright. They shivered and shook at the creaking of doors, rain tapping on windows like skeleton claws. They huddled together safe under the covers, there was Alley aged nine and her two little brothers. Then dark clouds rolled in and the moon disappeared, something creepy might happen. Something terribly weird. They switched on their torch and a glimmer of light cut a path through the gloom as it lit up the night. They looked at a map they’d made earlier that morning for their midnight adventure. But could this be a warning? They inched their way forward and crept to the door, their mom fast asleep, from their dad...a loud snore! Three young children plan a midnight adventure in their own home. What happens next is all in their imagination. They venture downstairs but unfortunately, the wind blows their front door shut behind them, leaving them trapped outside. Despite many attempts, they can't get back into their house. Fearing the worst, they are rescued by a friendly neighbour and his pet Jack Russell dog, and the neighbour turns out to be a very important person, rather than the dreadful ghoul they thought him to be. All's well that ends well, and the three brave children are helped back into their house by their neighbour. The following morning they discover they have not one, but two new pets, Buster, the neighbour's Jack Russell hound and his pal, a little frog called Kermit. There are no scary ghosts in this book, just the imagination of three young children working overtime!

Born in Stone, Staffordshire in 1935, John West now lives in the Georgian city of Bath, England. He has two grown up sons who live in Golden, Colorado, and three grandchildren, the youngest of which is Alley who also lives in Colorado. It was a phone call from Alley when she was five years old that prompted him to begin writing books for children. He has fond memories of telling many-a-tale to his two sons Dominic and Julian, most of them invented as they were uttered. Having amassed over 50 years of international design and photography experience on three continents, and after writing numerous brochures and advertising campaigns for international blue chip clients, he is now focusing on his life long ambition, to publish a series of his own children’s books. John’s old scruffy terrier Bobo, a refugee from the local rescue centre who sadly died in 2000, is the inspiration behind the name Bobo Tails Books. John applies his keen eye for detail and inventive imagination to the stories and characters, and builds on the every day experiences of childhood to concoct books that tickle the senses. Superbly illustrated in a range of graphic styles, children will love them, and parents will too!