Alderley Edge based HPM Media have just published their first children's book The Hairy Plug Monster which is written by Leighroy Marsh and produced by his mother Kul Cuthbert.
Leighroy told us that the inspiration for The Hairy Plug Monster came about quite innocently when his daughter Arisha-Jane, who was then aged two and a half, became fixated with putting her fingers down the plughole. "I was worried her fingers would get stuck and naturally, as most children do, she ignored my requests to stop doing it, until one day, I told her that The Hairy Plug Monster will nibble your fingers".
"The Hairy Plug Monster ! What's that?", and so began the tale of the Hairy Plug Monster, who lived under the bath and drank all the bathwater.
Leighroy then explained that a few years later his youngest daughter, Maya-Rose asked him "Where does the bathwater go Daddy?" and "unable to give a proper explanation of modern plumbing methods I turned once again to the friendly monster that lived under our bath and ate bubble bath sandwiches".
Written in rhyme, and aimed at 3-7 year olds, the innocent story follows Maya and The Hairy Plug Monster on their delightful adventure filled with bubble bath sandwiches and chocolate eclairs.
HPM Media have recently taken delivery of 5000 copies which they decided to self publish, with Leighroy describing his mum as the "vision and driving force" behind the book. As an interior designer Kul "knew what she wanted the book to look like" and now Leighroy is tasked with selling his first publication in to the trade.
Leighroy has had a colourful past, which includes "almost being a pop star" when he released records in 1991 with Chris Joyce from Simply Red, followed by 10 years spent as a casino manager in Russia but for now he is focused on writing children's books with another three already completed, including the follow up The Hairy Plug Monster Goes to Town.
The Hairy Plug Monster is priced at £5.99 and can be purchased direct from www.hairyplugmonster.com/purchase.html, or ordered from all good bookshops.
