A KINGSWINFORD engineer turned author will be signing copies of his first-ever children’s book at an event in Dudley tomorrow (Saturday April 30).

David J Robertson’s Dognapped, which follows border collie Misty and her fellow four-legged friends, was officially released yesterday (Thursday April 28) and he will be signing copies at Dudley Library, St James’s Road, from 2.30pm until 3.30pm.

David’s faithful friend Misty, the inspiration for the book, will also be in attendance at the event which is suitable for children aged six and over.

The story sees Misty and her three dog friends enjoying a relaxing day of exploring but, with trouble never far away from the four canines, it is not long before they find themselves accidentally adrift on a canal boat.

The furry friends try to steer the boat back to shore but find themselves in hot water when they hear on the radio that a puppy found aboard has been reported ‘dognapped’.

David, a retired engineer who lives at Hinksford Park with his companion Misty, took up writing after suffering a heart attack about 18 months ago.

Dudley News:

He joined the Castle Writers group which meets at Dudley Library from 10am to noon every Thursday and, as well as children's fiction, he's written short stories, flash fiction for competitions – and an as-yet unpublished full-length a fantasy novel.

His debut book, Dognapped, started to take shape as he'd been writing a newsletter for a dog training club where he and Misty, aged 10, attend agility classes.

David, aged 60, said: "I wrote the newsletter from her point of view so the children's book was an extension of that.

"I've always written but it started seriously after the heart attack."

Dognapped, he says, has already received plenty of interest - with copies reportedly having found their way to readers in America, Sweden and Ireland to date.

Published by Matador, the book is available online on Amazon and from Ashwood Nurseries, near Kingswinford, priced £8.99.

A second book about the adventures of Misty and her friends, called In the Doghouse, will be released in September.

For more information about the author and his work check out http://www.mistybooks.net/and to find out more about book signing call the library on 01384 815560.