Teacher top of the class as she pens new book

Teacher top of the class as she pens new book

28 June 2023

A CROSSGAR primary school teacher has written her first children’s story.

Leonard Lion is Brave has been written by Michelle Mullan, a teacher at Derryboy Primary School.

Published last week, it is the first in what could be a five-part series entitled ‘Little Big Five’.

The book is about Leonard, a brave little lion cub who is full of energy who lives with his four friends, Ethel Elephant, Betsy Buffalo, Lucy Leopard and Ralphie Rhino.

Michelle described the launch as “very exciting but also a bit nerve-wrecking because it’s finally out in the public domain”.

Michelle, who has taught P1 and P2 children for 25 years, explained the inspiration behind the book.

 “Over the years, me and my husband Johnny took our daughters, Alexandra and Fay, to South Africa and we use to go to safari parks in Swaziland,” she said.

“When you’re at the parks, you are always looking out for the big five — the lions, the leopards, the rhinos, the elephants and the buffalos.

“I have always loved telling stories, whether it is telling stories by other authors, making up the stories with 

the girls when they were younger and making up my own.

“Being a teacher, you are always telling or reading stories,” Michelle added.

Audience

The first children to read her story will be her pupils, who she described as “my first audience and probably my harshest critics, but I have a thick skin”.

She continued: “Each story focuses on a different animal within the friendship group. Leonard is very brave and heroic, so each story and character teaches the children a little lesson about friendship and kindness.”

Michelle described how she had wanted to write a children’s book for some time, and that lockdown gave her the opportunity to focus on writing and sourcing publishers.

“I am just so pleased I did it because a lot of people have their their own goals and bucket lists but don’t get round to doing them,” she said.

“You are never too old to set a new goal and to dream a new dream. That’s my motto this year.”

Michelle added: “It has been an amazing year between celebrating 25 years at Derryboy Primary School and now having my own book published.”

Leonard Lion is Brave is priced at £8.99 and is available from Amazon, Waterstones and WH Smith.