Dolores's first post pandemic book launch was 'absolutely brilliant'

Dolores Keaveney launched her latest book, Huwie Meets the Red Fox, at a family friendly event in Belvedere House and Gardens on Saturday afternoon.

The book is author and illustrator Dolores's seventeenth children's book and tells the story of two brothers, Huwie and Austin (named after two of her grandchildren) who venture into a big wild field and the animals they find there.

It demonstrates the importance of friendship and imaginative play. The story also encourages children to explore the world around them and connect with nature.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner after the event, Dolores said that it was “absolutely brilliant”

“It's so long since I had a launch [she published two books during the pandemic]. I was absolutely delighted, it was wonderful. I really appreciate everyone who came. I am a long time at it, since 2009. This is my seventeenth book and the support I have got from everyone has been phenomenal."

Among those in attendance were Dolores's grandsons Huw and Austin, who the two main characters in the book are named after.

Dolores says that her grandchildren often feature in her work and this time around the two boys, who love doing art with her, are delighted that they are the stars of the book.

Dolores is famous for her celebrations of the Irish landscape. Her hand-painted watercolour illustrations and lively rhyming texts are popular with children, parents, teachers and critics.

Although book number 17 has only been launched, she has already started thinking about number 18, which will have a queen bee as the main character.

See Tuesday's Westmeath Examiner for more coverage.