A modern story about Felix the tractor saving the day beat traditional Lakeland tales by Beatrix Potter, Arthur Ransome and John Cunliffe’s Postman Pat to be voted Best Ever Lakeland Children’s Book.

Catherine Cannon, mother-of-two who publishes her own educational children’s stories beat off literary giants in an online vote organised by the Lakeland Book Awards to celebrate their 25th anniversary.

Commenting on her success Catherine said: “Beatrix Potter and Arthur Ransome stories are known and loved the world over. This award shows that language and approaches to writing for children have changed over the years. It’s a real privilege to receive this award. It puts my work up there with the literary greats and shows how much people enjoy a story with a modern format.”

Aimed at two-to-six-year-olds, Catherine’s books (four to date) feature Felix the Fast Tractor and are set in the Lake District. They are proof-read by Catherine’s children and the books are published through an independent press. So far over 12,000 copies have been sold (largely in Cumbria) and they are used as a teaching aid in many local schools.

Catherine received her award at the 25th Hunter Davies Lakeland Book of the Year event held at the Old England Hotel, Windermere in the summer.

Notes to Editors

Felix lives with the Story family on Ambers Farm, near the village of Glempsea, where he plays a vital role in the running of this busy working farm along with a host of farmyard friends including the farm dog Ben, Colin the combine harvester and Daisy the digger. His adventures centre on everyday farming events - covering many aspects of British agricultural living; from the building of a new barn, to the harvesting of wheat, dealing with the temperamental weather, and helping the Story family find their dog when it goes missing.