Alien has way with words
BY KIRSTY JOHNSTON
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Usually success turns people green with envy, but not in nine-year-old Jack Newsome's case.
Jack's entire school and his parents dressed in green to celebrate his book launch at New Plymouth's West End School yesterday.
The talented lad wrote a story called The Night Boy last year, and has since had it published by local business Studio Seven Publishers.
The story follows a boy named Jim who turns into an alien because he watches too much TV.
Jack said the book came about from thinking about the word "adapted" and how he liked aliens. "I just had a cool idea and then I decided to make a story of it," Jack said. "Then mum really liked it so we were gonna see if we could get it published."
Jack said his mum Lisa Newsome was at the supermarket one day when she bumped into a lady who knew a publisher. The project grew from there.
Most of the story came directly from Jack, with only a few alterations from his mum to "help it make a bit more sense.
"I write a lot of books at home. I write them by hand and if mum likes them then she will type them up for me," Jack said.
The initial draft was written on a few sheets of blank A4 paper with only black and white drawings to illustrate it. "I like drawing but I don't like colouring in," Jack said.
The finished product is in full colour, illustrated with pictures of Jack and his family, taken by publisher Carolyn Ann Aish.
If even includes a moral.
For parents, he said, the moral is don't neglect your kids or bad things will happen to them. For kids, it's don't watch too much TV or you'll turn into an alien.
It may be too late for Jack and his parents, however, as they looked pretty alien at the school celebration yesterday, as did most of the school.
The official launch is today at Jack's house. Copies of the book are available by calling 06 756 8517.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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