Craig Read, a children's author from Wrexham, is preparing to launch his third book, inspired by bedtime stories he created for his children. The series centers on a young boy named Dwayne, whose dreams take him on whimsical adventures, including rescuing sea creatures in "Dwayne and the Ocean Plug Pirates" and helping dinosaurs solve riddles in "Dwayne and the Dinosaur Dilemma."
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Read's storytelling journey began nearly 25 years ago when he crafted tales for his now-grown children. Although he started writing one story, it remained unfinished as life progressed. Five years ago, after welcoming his youngest son, Dwayne, Read revisited those storytelling roots and introduced the character of Dwayne to his son. The boy's enthusiasm led to the creation of the first published book, and subsequently, the second.
In addition to writing, Read visits schools to conduct readings and donates copies of his books. Both titles are available for purchase online, with a third adventure set to be published soon. He is also launching a new business in Wrexham focused on 3D printing and personalized items.
In a recent interview with Nation.Cymru, Read reflected on his journey back to storytelling. He described how recalling the old story while reading to Dwayne felt like a long-lost idea resurfacing in his mind. This revisitation not only reignited his passion but also inspired him to craft more adventures for the character.
Changing the character’s name to Dwayne has enhanced the story’s appeal for his son, making the journey more exciting. Read noted that his son's responses to the stories have shaped his writing process, as Dwayne often shares his own imaginative ideas.
Writing these stories has been particularly meaningful for Read, as they serve to help Dwayne manage his autism by providing a creative outlet for expression and focus. Read expressed that their collaborative storytelling has formed a special bond between them and has created a unique creative world they both cherish.