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Once A Dandy

by Eddie O'Donnell; Illustrated by Janette Burke

24 pages; Saddle stitched; illustrated; children's book; catalogue #06-2375; ISBN 1-4251-0617-X; US$13.45, C$15.46, EUR10.48, £6.95

The adventures of a one o'clock seed. Fantasy or fact?

About the Book

This is a story for parents to read and share with younger children and older children to read and enjoy, with others, or on their own.

'Once a Dandy' concerns the adventures of a one o'clock's seedling.
Is it a fantasy or fact?

On a late autumn day, a lonely one o'clock, with its globe of dandelion seedlings, is waiting to release its parachute like seeds. The seedlings are anxious to fly away to a place where they can rest for the winter and grow into dandelions in the springtime. They chatter amongst themselves and even cry. Some are afraid that they will die.

Three young sisters, Susan, Janette and Karen, who are out on a country walk, discover the one o'clock and blow the seedling into the sky. The seedlings are full of joy and sing their way into the unknown.

There is one seedling left on the stem. Karen, the youngest of the sisters, blows it into the air and its freedom is a joy to behold. It sways and dances around the girls, before a breeze sweeps her away across the meadow. They watch it fly out of sight and then make their way towards home.

On its flight, to find a place to rest for the winter, the seedling encounters many dangers. On one occasion, she (the seedling) is stuck on the roof of a house between the tiles. A robin befriends her and manages to free her and set her on her journey again. The seedling meets many other dangers but has some joyful times too. She sings and dances as she flies along with the wind.

Will she find a place to rest for the winter? Can she survive the dangers that threaten her? Will the robin be able to help her again? Read.

About the Author and Illustrator

I was educated, in the usual subjects, at a number of schools and colleges in Oldham, Lancashire, in the United Kingdom. I studied in reproduction processes for the printing of photographs, graphics etc at Manchester Poly Tech for three years.

My working life was involved in and around the newspaper industry, both as a photographer and as a pre-print specialist.

I loved taking photographs, developing, printing and making the zinc and copper plates, in the reproduction processes.

As time elapsed, the method of reproduction changed and computers and scanners took over from the metal plates and etching baths. I enjoyed the changes because; they advanced reproduction into a better and healthier era. I became a Pre-print Manager, in the Newspaper industry and worked both in Oldham and in Manchester.

This is my first attempt to write a story, but I have written short plays and libretto for amateur musical theatre groups.

My best work was probably the writing of three Aqua-Musical shows, performed at the Oldham Swimming Stadium. I also directed the company of actors, dancers, synchronised swimmers and divers who performed the Musical Aqua shows. I have many hobbies, sport, singing, photography and painting in oils. Retirement is a wonderful thing.

My illustrator, Janette Burke, studied Graphic Design and Textile Design at Oldham Art College. Later she took courses in Still Life and Figure Drawing. She worked, as a window dresser in a modern department store for some time. Recently she has taken a refresher course in modern techniques of painting and drawing and is now concentrating on illustrating.