After three frustrating years without an illustrator for a new book, Catherine Cannon is delighted to announce that Felix the Fast Tractor will ride again - in June!

Following what seems like several twists of fate, the Cumbrian author has found a new illustrator (literally on her doorstep) and she has teamed up with Penrith Show to produce the long awaited fourth instalment about the loveable, blue Cumbrian tractor. The new book, which is set around the agricultural show and features Farmer Brougham, Penrith Show’s mascot and his dog, Beacon will hit the shelves in June, roughly four weeks before the actual Penrith Show on Saturday July 25th.

So what’s been the holdup over producing a new book since books 1, 2 and 3 were published within two years of each other? Catherine explains ‘Basically I have been unable to produce a new book because I haven’t had an illustrator, and for children’s books that’s quite a big thing!! I have been looking for a new illustrator for some time and even though I have spoken to several talented artists and they have produced drawings, the ‘Felix’ look and feel just hasn’t been quite right. In last November I was given the details of a well respected local watercolour artist, Ron Ablewhite, who was right on my doorstep, having lived in the area for over 16 years - we both use the same printers, which is how the introduction came about. We met for a coffee and discussed ideas for book number four. Interestingly we had both booked to do six Christmas events last year and along with Ron’s daughter, who is a children’s clothing designer, we all three set out our stalls. Ron worked on the illustrations for the fourth book whilst we all sold our wares, with Ron captivating children with his Felix drawings.’

But it wasn’t all plain sailing. Ron produced a great front cover for what was going to be book four, titled ‘Felix the Fast Tractor and the Fallen Tree’, but both Catherine and Ron felt that it wasn’t quite right and they agreed to discuss again after the New Year.

Turn of fate number two then came into play. In February, Richard Utting, Director of a financial management company and assistant secretary for Penrith Show was looking for t-shirts to promote the agricultural show. It was suggested to Richard that he try to bring the character, Farmer Brougham, alive and that he contact Catherine to discuss a joint venture between Felix and the Show, as a book might be an interesting way to spread the word about the show. More chat’s and more coffee, and a partnership was formed. A month of frantic writing followed and ‘Felix the Fast Tractor and the Twirling Tractors’ was born.

Richard commented ‘Working with Catherine has been a real pleasure and with the introduction of our mascot, Farmer Brougham, into her new book provides us with a fantastic way to promote Penrith Show and all the things which go on at our show and shows all over the country. It is hoped that we can continue our relationship with Catherine beyond this years show and continue the association between Farmer Brougham and Felix the Fast Tractor’.

Catherine continues ‘Whilst I was writing the Twirling Tractors story I realised (with some heavy prompting from Ron) that I had possibly become too focused on trying to keep the illustrations like the previous three books, and perhaps this was an unreasonable expectation. Ron developed some more cartoony ideas which, as I stood nervously in his kitchen waiting for the unveiling, turned out to be fantastic. Although the illustrations have changed, Ron and I have tried to keep the feel of the previous three books and I would not be going ahead with a new book if I didn’t feel that it was right.’

In the new instalment for Felix fans, in true Catherine Cannon style this rural story is set amidst the rolling backdrop of the Cumbrian countryside and sees Felix, our kind, friendly, super clever, shiny blue Fast Tractor helping Farmer Brougham to get ready for the forthcoming farming show. But when there’s a problem with the ‘Twirling Tractors’, who are the star attraction, will Felix be able to help out and save the day?

For more information on Penrith Show please visit www.penrithshow.co.uk