A new picture story book illustrated by Isle of Wight artist Anya Lauchlan has just been released, with proceeds supporting both Mountbatten Hospice and charitable projects in Ukraine.
‘Toys at Night’, written by American author Faye R. DesPres, tells the tale of Emma and David discovering the adventures and lessons learned by their soft toys after dark. With 26 toys including a monkey, rabbit, red panda, owl and Goldy Flamingo sharing their stories, Tomcat whispers the tales into children’s ears while they sleep.
The project is a charitable collaboration between DesPres, illustrator Anya Lauchlan, and Solomia and Tanya, 2 Ukrainian girls who translated the book. All donated their talents and time.
Cowes-based publisher GoldfishBooks UK Ltd has gifted 200 copies, with Ukrainian translation brochures, to kindergartens, orphanages and libraries in Ukraine. The remainder are being sold to raise funds for Mountbatten Hospice, with US sales supporting a pet rescue charity in Ukraine.
Anya and her husband Peter recently moved to the Isle of Wight to re-establish their not-for-profit publishing company and be closer to family and friends. Over the years, they have supported numerous charities through art exhibitions and publishing projects, including Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Chailey Heritage School in Sussex and The Children’s Hospital in Lviv, Ukraine.
Anya was trained to draw and paint from an early age by M. Khazanov, a student of Marc Chagall, and holds an MA in Art and Design. She continues the artistic tradition of the School of Paris movement and is a great admirer of Van Gogh, Matisse and Chagall.
Her classic, museum-quality paintings have been exhibited in Paris, London, Germany, France and the USA. She has also appeared on BBC South Today and at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, demonstrating her paintings of the English National Ballet’s Christmas performance of Cinderella.
Anya has illustrated more than 50 books, including The Beast of Blackberry Lane by Ray Cornell, produced for Great Ormond Street Hospital as a Christmas fundraising project. Alongside specially designed greetings cards, the book raised funds across the UK. Her distinctive work has been praised by industry figures including Lorraine Heggessey, former Controller of BBC Children’s Programmes.
‘Toys at Night’ is the second collaboration between Lauchlan and DesPres, following their 2023 book Soul to Soul: Tiny Stories of Hope and Resilience.
Faye R. DesPres is an award-winning author based in the USA, with work spanning books, poetry and wildlife photography. Information about her writing can be found at fayerapoportdespres.com.
‘Toys at Night’ (ISBN 978-0-9930019-2-5) is available from all main bookshops, local outlets in Cowes including Medina Bookshop, Chivertons, Pocketful of Pebbles and The Cigar Box, or directly from the publisher at www.goldfishbooksuk.com.
