I have been sitting on this news for a long time, but finally I have been given permission to announce the publication of a very special new book. Toys at Night is a project spearheaded by GoldfishbooksUK Ltd., a not-for-profit publisher dedicated to producing and selling books to benefit charitable causes.

I authored this book of short fables, but the truly exciting part is that it is illustrated by celebrated European artist and illustrator Anya Lauchlan, the same artist who illustrated my last book, Soul to Soul: Tiny Stories of Hope and Resilience (Huntsville Independent Press). Lauchlan and her husband, book publisher Peter Lauchlan, launched Goldfish Books in 1999 and have published a number of award-winning books through their imprint.

Toys at Night will be available almost exclusively in the U.K. and Europe for now, but a small amount of copies — just 60 — will be available directly me in the United States. Fifty percent of the print run is gifted directly to libraries and kindergartens in Ukraine with a special accompanying brochure with the Ukrainian translation.

Here is more information directly from the U.K. press materials:

GoldfishbooksUK Ltd is a small not-for-profit publishing house established in 1999, by wife and husband team Anya and Peter Lauchlan. We are dedicated to making a difference for children in need.

GoldfishBooksUK creates and sells high quality inspiring picture books, and fine art cards, with  proceeds supporting children’s charities.

Previous beneficiaries have included:

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, London;
Chailey Heritage School for Children with Special Needs, Chailey, Sussex;
The Ukrainian Cultural Association, London.

Our new project “Toys At Night,” a children’s book, was entirely self-funded by all participants, including the Ukrainian translators giving their services for free.

Our carefully curated stories celebrate creativity and compassion, engaging readers while funding meaningful change. Located on the beautiful Isle of Wight, GoldfishbooksUK Ltd is committed to transparency and maximising impact.

50% of the print run of our new book “Toys at Night” by Anya Lauchlan & Faye R. DesPres, with Ukrainian translation is gifted directly to libraries and kindergartens in Ukraine. A donation from the proceeds of the remaining English print run sales will be given to the Mountbatten Hospice Charity, Isle of Wight. A donation from the proceeds of the limited available U.S. copies will be given to a charity benefiting animals affected by the war in Ukraine.

For more information or to obtain copies of the book for the U.K. or Europe, write to: contact@goldfishbooksuk.com.

https://www.huntsvilleindependent.com/product-page/STS