A poem written by local author Glynis Belec’s mother was inspiration for her latest children’s book.
“Mom wrote a poem during the war with her military mates. She shared the poem with me as a child. I never forgot one of the characters named Galloping Gus. In Mom’s poem Gus was a military jeep,” Belec said.
The name stayed with Belec for years until she decided to write her own story, titled Galloping Gus. Gus is a bus that loves to splash and play in puddles. Much to the chagrin of his careful driver, Simon McGiver. One night while pretending to be asleep, Gus imagines how he will soon be all muddy.
“Galloping Gus, contains a little friction, a measure of forgiveness, lots of laughs and a determined big yellow school bus who loves to take kids for a ride,” Belec explained.
John Latham, Belec’s brother, and Sarah Nickel, both Ontario residents, joined forces to illustrate the book. Kitchener native, Carolyn Wilker shared her editing skills.
Amanda Newton of Palmerston was involved in cover design, illustration formatting and copy. The book was published by Maranda Reprographics in Calgary, Alberta.
Suited for children ages 3-8 Galloping Gus is available locally at Blooming Dale’s, Studio Factor, by emailing Belec at writer@glynisbelec.com or at Belec’s online book store www.glynisbelec.com.
