A BUDDING children’s author and illustrator will launch his first book tomorrow (Friday) at a shop owned by his father.

Richard Wallace, the son of Paul Wallace who owns David’s Bookshop in Letchworth GC, will be unveiling his first work at the store at 7pm tomorrow night.

Richard, 23, who has been working at David’s since he was 15, said he decided to “make a go of it” about a year ago with The Tales of Herman and Spice the result.

The volume of three tales centres on two cheeky chaps, one as round as a pudding bowl, the other pot-bellied, who get themselves into all sorts of trouble.

One of the stories sees the pair set off on horseback only to discover halfway through the trip that one of the horses is actually a very hungry lion that needs feeding, while in another they have to solve ‘The Problem of PC Pudding’ – a policeman who is immobile as a result of eating too many cakes.

Speaking about the book, Richard, who lives in Letchworth GC, said: “I have been working on the Herman and Spice stories on and off for the last four years, in-between university and work.

“They focus on rotund Herman and his cheeky sidekick Spice. The chaps find themselves in an array of amusing situations, for which there can only be ridiculous solutions.

“Childcare professionals say that the books are visually engaging enough for as young as three to four years, but due to their structure and use of vocabulary are great for helping older, reluctant readers, of about seven-years-old to read.

“Last year I made the decision to make a go of it, and compiled my sketches into the book that now is The Tales of Herman and Spice.”

The bookshop in Eastcheap will also be holding a talk tonight (Thursday) by Mike Carter who will be discussing One Man and His Bike – a tale of his 3,000 mile cycle around the coast of Britain.

Admission is free for Richard Wallace’s book launch and �3 for the talk by Mike Carter, which is redeemable against the price of the book.

To reserve a space at either event call the bookshop on 01462 684631.