About the book and future series

An idea that came from Fiona Maguire Willsher many years ago, it was put on the back burner, but came to life earlier this year. Time travel with Rory and Harlow was an idea for a children’s book series exploring history in the United Kingdom and possibly to be adapted to the rest of the world. The UK version features an iconic vehicle the ‘London Taxi’ that our two characters sneak back in time in when their loving owner falls asleep every night. Ideally, this book is suited for aged 4 -7 years. The characters follow events in history and the stories are designed for children to take a fun interest in historical events. It is a book parents can read to their children or children can read themselves. The characters, Rory the Bedlington Terrier, he has a split personality, but in a co-operative, affectionate way. Happy to be a family dog, particularly a child’s companion; he is also a terrier, spirited and ready for action. Never over shy, nervous or aggressive, when aroused he shows courage and energy. Harlow is a Chihuahua and Rory’s side kick. Her charms include her small size, outsized personality and ability to obey unlike Rory. She loves nothing more than people to goad her partner in crime, Rory, into mischief whilst she sits back and watches him start the fire. Dog is an old friendly Staffie. A loyal companion that likes to sit back and think ‘Oh no, what are these two doing now?’ Dog is trustworthy and loves people, she is everybody’s best friend. Dog likes to veg out on the sofa and watches what’s going on around her whether it is what is on TV or Rory and Harlow chasing each other. Dog does not participate; she just watches and thinks ‘why waste energy?’ When Rory and Harlow are getting up to mischief, Dog just raises her eyes and puts her paws on her head. Dog has lots of patience and is quite a bit older than Rory and Harlow. Although Dog likes to sit and watch, Dog can come to the rescue with her boundless energy when it’s needed. The time machine, an Iconic London Taxi that comes to life when Rory and Harlow sneak into it when the driver, Stan, is asleep. Stan is a friendly happy go lucky taxi driver. He returns home from work each night after a hard day’s work. Stan loves his dogs and makes a fuss of them we he returns home. After a walk and a play, Stan has his dinner in front of the television and falls asleep. This is when Rory and Harlow discover the magical secrets of the taxi.  A percentage of sales will be split between two charities for this first book  'King Alfred and the cakes'.The Taxi Driver of the Year Charity Fund.  A charity that donates to many worthy causes that include the following. ‘Southend Fund for Underprivileged Children’, ‘Albany Taxi Charity for Children with Special Needs’, ‘London Taxi Drivers Charity for Children’, ‘East London Cabbies Outing’ and ‘Taxi Charity for Military Veterans’. Thank you, Barbara Poluck and Russell Poluck MBE for letting us get involved in a small way. 2. Mila’s fund. A small charity that’s aim is to raise funds for Bedlington terriers, whenever and wherever it may be needed. Thank you, Louise Beesley.

Book 2 The woman with long red hair a percentage will be donated between 1The Taxi Driver of the Year Charity Fund and  2 The Senior Staffy Club (The Senior Staffy Club is a registered charity (England & Wales No 1156723) in place to rescue and re-home more mature (7 years and over) Staffordshire Bull Terriers, variants and crosses of this wonderful but much maligned breed. We use boarding kennels in the Worcester and Stafford areas and have foster homes across the country.