Misia Clive is only 17 years old, but she’s already had a children’s book published. The Shropshire teenager both wrote and illustrated Monster in the Jungle as part of her foundation course in art and design at Telford College of Arts and Technology.
The book is aimed at children between 3 and 8 and tells the story of a monster who seeks new friends in the jungle on his birthday.
She said: “This is the first book I have ever published. The drawing was the most enjoyable aspect, but the whole process is great fun. I only had two months to do it so I had to work non-stop. It has inspired me to think about becoming a children’s author in the future.”
The book is on sale for £9.99 each and a donation to Severn Hospice will be made for every copy sold. 1,000 copies of the book have been printed.
Misia has turned down a place at Falmouth University’s illustration course so that she can study calligraphy, martial arts and meditation in China. Misia hopes that the new environment in China will provide inspiration for new stories.
She has just finished her foundation course and is now promoting Monster in the Jungle to primary schools in Shropshire by reading it to children.