AN award-winning children’s writer is bringing a British Sign Language interpreted show inspired by his own family’s fishing fun to Eccleston Library next month.

Author and performer Oliver Sykes grew up with five brothers and sisters on a rural council estate by his single parent dad.

When the children’s mum suddenly walked out on the family, dad Chris quit his factory job to look at the children.

They survived on free school meals and yellow stickered, cut price items from the supermarket, supplementing their diet by hunting and fishing, as was common in Chris’ Romani culture.

Oliver brings tales of the fishing adventures to Eccleston Library at February half term as part of a touring show based on his second book Fishing For Rainbows, which has been longlisted for the 2024 Children’s Literature Festivals Book Awards.

The show, which starts at 10.30am on Friday, February 16 and is followed by a children’s writing workshop at 2.30pm on the same day, is suitable for youngsters aged five and over.

It tells the story of strong-minded siblings Kezia, Duke and Danior Boswell who enjoy fishing with their dad following the death of their mum.

Oliver Sykes sister Amber as a child on a slide in Chapel en le Frith, who was the inspirtion for the character Kezia

Oliver Sykes' sister Amber as a child on a slide in Chapel en le Frith, who was the inspirtion for the character Kezia

Oliver, who grew up in the Peak District in north Derbyshire, and now lives in North Wales, said: “Fishing For Rainbows is inspired by my childhood, when I would often go out fishing with my dad and brothers.

“The character of Kezia was created for my little sister Amber, who says she always felt sad not to be invited on the fishing trips.

“It is a story about families, loss and reaching for the stars.”

Click here to purchase £3.10 tickets for the show

Click here to book free tickets for the children’s writing workshop