ANDREW FFRENCH finds out just what makes former newsman Alan Gilliland’s new children’s book so special.

Alan Gilliland was such a success as graphics editor for The Telegraph that he won his section at the UK Press Awards three times.

But three years ago, the 59-year-old former news photographer decided to leave his role at the national newspaper to test his artistic skills in the children's books market.

The intriguing result is The Amazing Adventures of Curd the Lion, a story the father-of-six started writing 20 years ago, after the birth of his fourth son Oliver.

On the face of it, there is perhaps little to separate Curd the Lion from hundreds of other children's stories in today's ultra-competitive market.

But Gilliland's tale, of a bunch of soft toys that go on a fantastic journey to recover a precious brooch nabbed by a raven, is pitched just right for children of a certain age who are bound to ask: "Do they get the brooch back?"

The grandfather from Billinghurst, West Sussex, has produced such a distinctive story, both in terms of presentation, and imaginative reach, that I feel convinced he has a hit on his hands.

Success may not come overnight, which is why the former newsman intends to keep working as an illustrator for the Penguin Group, but the response from the books industry is positive and, more importantly, children and adults the author meets at signings say they love it.

In the wrong hands, a story about a bunch of soft toys going on a great adventure could be sickly sweet, but Gilliland succeeds in making his story funny and mysterious.

"Even if I don't get fantastic reviews in national newspapers I shall keep plugging away at signings," Gilliland told The Guide, as he continues his tour of meet-and-greet sessions, arriving on Tuesday at Borders, Magdalen Street, Oxford, 10.30am-5.30pm, and at the Corner Club in Turl Street at 7.30pm.

"Lots of people seem attracted by different aspects of the book," he adds. "I think a bright eight-year-old could read it and they would appreciate the humour, but the story will also appeal to adults – to anyone who loves wordplay, conundrums and jokes.

"The black-and-white illustrations are there for younger readers, so that they have something to look at on every page.

"I've had some extraordinary responses at signings from readers aged 19 to 25, and from the over-60s."

Gilliland says he is a fan of the nonsense poems of Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear, and the illustrations of Arthur Rackham, EH Shepard and Edmund Dulac, and his drawings have a definite nostalgic quality.

The author is confident enough to order a first print run of 1,000 books, with a second print run of 2,000 planned, once the first run is sold.

Collectors are already queuing up to buy the books, which Gilliland believes is a good sign, and a luxury edition featuring colour plates is planned if the books really take off.

Curd the Lion, set in the Yorkshire Dales where Gilliland used to take his children for walks, contains a riddle for readers to solve, with four lucky winners getting Gilliland's striking illustrations as prizes.

If the graphic artist has solved the riddle of writing for children at his first attempt then we can expect to hear a lot more of Curd the Lion.

The Amazing Adventures of Curd the Lion and us! in the Land at the Back of Beyond is published by Raven's Quill Ltd, price £14.99.