AWARD-winning illustrator Sarah McIntyre has been announced as Patron of community-owned bookshop The Bookery, in Crediton - The British Book Awards South West Bookshop of the Year.

Sarah has recently moved to Devon following a decade of visiting her writing partner and local author Philip Reeve on Dartmoor – which has provided the inspiration for the “Outermost West” setting in their Roly-Poly Flying Pony series of books for children.

Delighted at becoming part of the places that have inspired her for so long, she says that moving to Devon “is like stepping into one of our stories, into the magical worlds Philip and I have created - they look like places where our mythical creatures would live.”

WIN TIME WITH SARAH

“It’s been exciting to visit local schools with The Bookery team and see children get excited about reading, drawing and world-building,” said Sarah, adding: “I’m also looking forward to connecting as Patron of Reading with the children of Chagford Primary and exploring their ideas for amazing stories inspired by their surroundings.”

One of Sarah’s first initiatives as Patron of The Bookery, will be to host a One-on-One Illustration Clinic for a budding illustrator at the bookshop during Independent Bookshop Week in June.

The competition will run via The Bookery website for one lucky winner to join Sarah at the bookshop for tea and cake and to discuss and get feedback on their picture book idea, illustration portfolio or short book they’ve made.

Sarah and her co-author, Philip Reeve, will also be guest booksellers at The Bookery on Saturday, June 18 for Independent Bookshop week which celebrates independent bookshops in the UK and the vital role they play in their communities.

Dee Lalljee from The Bookery says: “We are absolutely delighted that Sarah McIntyre will be joining The Bookery as a patron.

PLANNING MORE BOOKS

“We were thrilled that she agreed to support us with our rebrand last year and now she has relocated to Devon we’re really looking forward to working with her more closely.

“Sarah’s passion for championing the value of writing and illustration has inspired hundreds of Devon children and we’re very excited to be making plans with her and her co-author Philip Reeve for Independent Bookshop Week this year!”

The Bookery bookshop in Crediton has been proudly community-owned since 2013 and is co-owned by some 300 shareholders in the local community. The bookshop, powered by a team of volunteers, works across the area on a diverse programme of events and activities including working with local care homes and food banks. In 2021 Sarah worked with the bookshop on their new shop lettering and rebranding.

She commented that over lockdown she was doing a lot of work for their books with Philip mainly through emails.

Now Sarah and her husband are staying with Philip and his family while they find their own place, they are planning a lot more books together.