Local Author Shares Messages Of Inclusion

Aisling loves chocolate, ladybirds, and hopscotch, but her favourite thing of all is ballet. When Miss Karissa invites Aisling to perform a duet with Amelia, Aisling wonders if two very different girls can become friends. – Aisling and Amelia

Aspley children’s author Eileen O’Hely has written a plethora of children’s books but her newest release, Aisling and Amelia, carries messages of inclusion and friendship.

Eileen said she drew inspiration from her daughter who attended weekly ballet lessons and would frequently leave class with only one shoe.

“I took the stimulus further and thought about the dancing experience for a child with limb difference,” she said. “Before I started my research I had quite a misconception about the dance industry.”

She was pleasantly surprised to learn through her research that dance schools, teachers and eisteddfods were inclusive of students with disabilities and encouraged all to follow their passion for dance.

“Once I had the idea of a book about a dancer with limb difference, I thought about the additional challenges she may face physically and socially,” she said. “I wanted the two girls to develop a friendship and to dance together.”

Eileen worked with a dance instructor who put together the dance that actually appears in Aisling and Amelia.

To bring the book to life for her audience, Eileen worked closely with her illustrator Chloe Finnis who took inspiration from images of Eileen’s daughter in different dance positions.

Eileen’s new novel combines her love for entertainment for children with the importance of providing children with important messages.

“If you can slip a message into a children’s book in a non-didactic way, then that’s looked upon very favourably by editors and adult buyers,” she said. “But I also think it’s fine for children’s books to be entertaining for entertainment’s sake.

“It was also important to me to write the book from Aisling’s point of view and for Amelia to show her vulnerability.”

Join Eileen for the Aisling and Amelia book launch on Saturday, 27 April at 10.30am at Quick Brown Fox Bookshop, 5/33 Carberry St, Grange. Come dressed up in your favourite dance outfit.

Aisling and Amelia Book Launch
Saturday, 27 April, 10am
Quick Brown Fox Bookshop
5/33 Carberry Street, Grange.