Argument with son inspires author Andrea’s first children’s book

Andrea Bell (37) penned Henry! after his nine-year-old namesake told her: “I hate this family! I want to live somewhere else!”

The result was a book about a boy who is chosen for his special powers to journey through space to a distant planet in peril.

Andrea now lives in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, but grew up in Rotherham and attended Wath Comprehensive School.

She lived in Thurnscoe until turning nine and her parents ran The Staithes pub in Wath.

Andrea studied psychology at the University of York before moving to Wetherby with husband Simon (48).

Henry! is her first attempt at a novel, written while running a car salvage firm with Simon and raising two children.

It all started with an argument in the family home.

“Henry said something which made me think: ‘You little monkey.’ The idea grew from there,” said Andrea.

“At first, he was going to be a cheeky boy who went on adventures, but he soon became a very special boy who went to another planet.”

The novel’s Henry — who is “loosely based” on his real-life inspiration — is troublesome youngster who acquires special powers on turning ten.

An alien named Ipxil, who has searched for Henry since his birth, makes contact before whisking him away on an interplanetary adventure.

Together with five other powerful children, he fights the evil “Levids” invading Ipxil’s planet.

Readers can expect flying, invisibility, super strength, blazing speed and other super powers, Andrea says.

“It took two years to write, but I enjoyed every minute — even the editing,” she added. “It’s been exciting, amazing and a little bit scary.

“But it was surreal to finally see my name printed on the cover. It’s such a thrill after two years of hard work.”

Andrea kept the project under wraps for about 18 months, before her editor encouraged her to break the news.

“The feedback I had was so positive and constructive that I started to think that I could really do this. It certainly gave me confidence.

“I’ve had some very nice feedback from readers so far. 

“If I can engage children who don’t usually read, I think I’ll have done a pretty good job.”

The real-life Henry is reportedly happy with his book, though his sister Jorja (7) was disappointed not to feature more.

Andrea said: “I’m already 35,000 words into the sequel because I could see the characters in a series. I’m hoping to release that in about a year.

“Jorja complained that she wasn’t really in the book, so she appears more in the sequel.”

Henry! is available now on Amazon as both a digital download and a paperback — visit amzn.to/2znBnIi for both editions.

Alternatively, see www.facebook.com/andreabellauthor to order direct from Andrea.