Meggie Magicia - the picture book
Available to buy now!
​
The picture book version of the show was sold alongside the tour in theatre foyers, and is now available here online.
Proceeds in 2022 were donated to Children North East.
​
​
The publishing service behind the book is Fingermouse Books. Simon Jamie, who runs the company, is the editor and typesetter. His knowledge, experience, and patience, are in abundance. You’ll find more info about the company at fingermousebooks.com
The illustrator of the book (and for publicity) is South Shields illustrator Lauren Osborne. Lauren is currently studying for her MA in Illustration at the University of Sunderland. She has been drawing all her life and started studying art back in 2015, where she then discovered her passion for illustration. She now specialises in blackwork illustration and creates her work inspired by fairy tales and fantasy. Her style is perfect for the book. You’ll find her on Instagram as @Lauren.Eliz.Artworks – where you can buy her prints and other merchandise.
​
​
​
Claire Tustin’s song in the show, features in the book too. Claire has released her own children’s album, Dancing with the Bees, available on all streaming platforms. Like “Alakabam” in the show, the album is full of joyous, catchy songs. For her detailed credentials, go to the cast and team’s biography page.
Whether you see the show or not, it promises to be a delightful picture book to share with children.
Watch the show and buy the book – and see what the writer Wendy Errington has had to tweak! Condensing a 50-min play, into a 30-page picture book, was some challenge.
Background to the story
The original idea for Meggie Magicia came about because Wendy Errington’s grown-up daughter is called Megan, and her son, when he was five, loved to perform magic tricks at family parties. As an adult he crewed for the RNLI, hence a Lifeboat Festival features.
The idea to include an ally for Meggie, as a toy woollen penguin, was because the children’s writing groups that she runs adored a topic about Magellanic Penguins.
Mix it all together; add Wendy’s love for children’s stories; complete a PIXAR Writing Masterclass; and Meggie Magicia was created.
​
Acknowledgements
Wendy only began writing at the age of 58 and cannot underestimate the influence of authors such as North East David Almond and the local children’s theatre company Kitchen Zoo – all have inspired her. Likewise, by the writing facilitators: Chinonyerem Odimba, Ben Dickenson, and Gez Casey.
She says: the phrase “We stand on the shoulders of giants” comes to mind.
She thanks the theatres and producers who have believed in her work, and the directors, actors, and teams who have brought her words to life. And she thanks family, friends, and audiences who have supported her over the years.
Finally, the play would never have taken flight last year, without Alphabetti Theatre’s backing and the amazing team involved, and for that Wendy’s grateful. Now with the backing of a generous benefactor and an extended team, it will fly further afield around the North East as a touring show… and a picture book. True teamwork. Two dreams come true.
