A CHILDREN'S book written and illustrated by a young mum from Truro but only discovered after her death last year is now being published to raise money for charity.
Poppy Gamble (nee Roberts) produced the manuscript of Magical Journey when she was just 12 years old, but it remained undiscovered for 25 years.
It was only after 37-year-old Poppy was sadly taken from her family and friends by secondary breast cancer in January 2019, leaving behind her husband Lee and two young sons Paddy and Ernie, that the book was found.
A few weeks after her death, Poppy’s mum, Bridget Roberts, stumbled across the the words and illustrations her daughter had created as a child.
The quality of Poppy’s work was of such high quality that independent publishers Black Dog Books immediately accepted it for publication with an agreed launch date of Thursday, November 14.
Poppy Gamble
Proceeds from the sale will go to Penhaligon’s Friends, a charity set up by former Truro MP David Penhaligon that supports bereaved children, young people and carers in Cornwall, and Secondary1st, which fundraises to support research into a cure for secondary breast cancer.
Douglas Walker, of Black Dog Books, described Magical Journey as "utterly captivating”, adding: "Children will be enthralled by the beauty and simplicity of the language and illustrations.”
Poppy's mum Bridget said: "Poppy would be thrilled to think that her wonderful story will now give pleasure to countless children across the UK.
"She would be equally delighted to know that all proceeds from the sale of the book will go to support Penhaligon’s Friends and Secondary 1st - two charities very close to the hearts of everyone in the family.”
Poppy - whose family owned and ran the long established departmental store Roberts of Truro - was born and brought up in Cornwall, along with her sisters Amy and Annie.
An illustration from the book
A talented actress, she was educated at both Truro School and Truro High School for Girls before leaving at 18 to train at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Despite early success and critical acclaim, the lure of Cornwall was too strong and Poppy returned home to launch a new career as a businesswoman - founding the Opium Boutique in Truro.
James Graham-Brown, Poppy’s headmaster during her time at Truro High School, said: "Whilst writing and illustrating a book of such quality at the age of only 12 is a quite remarkable achievement, Poppy was an exceptionally creative and talented young woman.
"She was an inspiration to us all.”
Copies of Magical Journey are available for sale in Waterstones of Truro at £7.99 or ordered online at www.waterstones.com/book/magical-journey/poppy-roberts//9781839521492
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