CHILDREN'S author Rachel Lyon is hosting a bookstore tea party to celebrate the launch of her second rhyming story ‘I Wish I’d Been Born a Unicorn’.

The event at Wardleworth’s, Westfield Street, on Saturday, October 25 marks the release of a story that follows a shabby horse, with low self-esteem, who charts his desires to become a glamorous Unicorn in a bid to become popular and build some new friendships.

Rachel, from Rainford, enjoyed success with her first book, ‘The Cautionary Tale of the Childe of Hale’ which was short-listed for the UK’s best picture book at the 2014 Heart of Hawick Awards.

And it is hoped ‘I Wish I’d Been Born a Unicorn’ will achieve bigger things, with distributors in American and Ireland placing significant orders, and the book being chosen as children book of the month for November by the Irish Book Centre chain.

The tea party, where copies of the book will be available to buy, takes place from 11am till 12.30pm. Delicious 'unicorn cake' and refreshments will be provided, while Rachel with read and sign copies of her book

Rachel, who attended the publisher’s official launch in London recently, said: “I came up with the idea for ‘I Wish I’d Been Born A Unicorn’ a couple of years ago, so when the publisher asked me to write a second story for them, I knew what I wanted to write about. They loved the idea, and found a brilliant illustrator from Switzerland, Andrea Ringli, to work on it. I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out, and the feedback so far has been really positive.”

Rachel is now working on ideas for other books, as well as undertaking lots of visits to schools and workshops. For details of Rachel’s events and updates, visit www.rachellyon.co.uk