According to the National Literacy Trust annual survey, conducted between January and the middle of March 2023, children’s reading enjoyment is at its lowest level for almost twenty years. Including, over half of children, between the ages of eight to 18, do not enjoy reading in their free time.
LUNARDIUM By Kath Radford is well placed to buck that trend.
Reader age 8 – 13 year
“PollyAnna Perkins lives in the small seaside town of Coatham Sands along with her mum and gramps. The only thing missing from Polly’s life is a dad. Whilst seeking shelter from a storm, Polly is sucked into a vortex and finds herself unceremoniously dumped onto the dark side of the moon.
Follow Polly and her bunch of kooky friends on their incredible journey to thwart the emperor Astronomus in his quest to conquer the Blue Planet and rule the Universe. Witness them fight off the malevolent hook-handed commander Virunas, navigate the Sea of Tranquility and overcome attacks from the deadly strix and amikiri.
Can Polly and her friends find the molecule inverter and repair the forcefield in time to save both Earth and Lunardium from the evils of the empire and along the way can Polly discover the Archivist’s heart stopping secret?”
Kath Radford grew up in Redcar, a small, bustling North Yorkshire seaside town where she spent her early years exploring the dark scary cellars and creepy attic of her parent’s pub. After exiting the hospitality industry, her parents bought a small toy shop on the esplanade. The young Kath wasted many an hour trying to find the secret tunnel said to have been used by smugglers that ran from a hidden door in the shop down onto the beach. Of course the tunnel never existed, but it didn’t stop her looking! All this fed into her unbridled imagination to be stored away for later use. She wrote poetry in her teens until real life took over!
Following nurse training, Kath joined the army where she spent some time in Germany. She was lucky enough to have one of her poems published by the Nursing Times. On returning to England, she embarked on a career in Intensive Care. As a Sister, she helped set up the local ITU for the Durham and Dales area. During this busy period of her life, she was a founding member and for a time, secretary of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses. Kath was awarded the McKeown gold medal for her contribution to the art and science of nursing. She culminated her career as a senior nurse for critical care. Somewhere along the way, Kath also managed to find the time to gain a MSc in psychology. Following her retirement, Kath returned to her imagination for inspiration. Following publication of several short stories in various anthologies, she completed her first novel – Beyond Belief – a crime thriller in which a murderous doctor turns an ICU into his own kill-fest. Beyond Belief received excellent reviews and launched her career as an author. Following its success, Kath set upon her first venture into the world of children’s literature. Lunardium is the first in a trilogy of adventure stories staring PollyAnna Perkins, the Archivist and friends.
Literary Reviews
“Lunardium …is enjoyable and fun… very engaging characters. It’s also warm and honest… There is a lot of action, lots of movement and the feeling that the adventure has just begun… target audience essentially middle grade…
There is a lovely exuberance to this book….”
Jane Adams
The Literary Consultancy Reader
Amazon Reader Reviews *****
‘‘A terrific story, filled with magical ideas and imagination. Clips along well and keeps the reader interested. Can’t wait for more from Kath Radford!’
“Granddaughter loved it”
“Excellent children’s book. Really enjoyed reading it to my children. Funny and interesting. Hope there is a follow up
Other
‘Please can you get on with writing the next book! He wants to know what happens and really enjoyed it!!! Scouts honour!’ Harry (age 9)
Upcoming – Meet the Author Events
11th July 2024, After-School Activities Cockerton Library, Darlington. Co Durham 3.30pm – 5pm
16th August 2024, Redcar Library, Teesside. 2pm
Also visiting local schools
