AN aspiring children’s author and illustrator is realising her dream of publishing her first book, based on her canine friend Pebble.

Jo Edwards, 30, from Smithills, is raising money through the online platform Kickstarter to print her first children’s book, Not The Bed For My Rump, about her “mischievous” English bull terrier Nelly who wants nothing more than a soft bed to tuck her head and rest her rump.

Jo, who studied animation at the University of Central Lancashire, said growing up she always really enjoyed doing artwork and stories, which has culminated in her writing and illustrating her own book.

Her inspiration came from her own dog, Pebble, an English bull terrier, who comes to life in the book as Nelly to teach kids that they are not a scary breed of dog.

Jo works full time as a web developer and has been working on the book in her spare time for the last 14 months, and is now looking to raise enough money to self-publish the book.

Jo said: “There’s not a book out there to show how great this dog breed is.

“I talked about it on some Facebook groups and there was a lot of interest for it.

“Since I’ve started advertising the book people have been sending really nice messages and pictures of their bull terriers too which has been really nice.

“I’m absolutely over the moon with how it’s been going so far and I’m just trying to keep all positive.

“There was so much to learn about getting the book together and how to even get it published and printed and getting it out there, I’m still learning so much.

“I’ve done this as a bit of a hobby but if people like it then I’d definitely do another one.”

The original target on Kickstarter was £1,500 and in just over a couple of weeks that has gone up to over £3,600.

Pebble has also starred in a production of Oliver Twist at the Albert Halls in Bolton.