A BOOK by a local children’s author has taken up a festive place just two doors up from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Elen’s Island by Eloise Williams has been chosen as one of the Book Trust Advent Calendar’s favourite book choices, alongside works by famous authors including Shirley Hughes, Janet and Allen Ahlberg, Judith Kerr and of course, J.K. Rowling.

“I couldn’t hope for better company,” said Eloise, who lives in Saundersfoot with her artist husband, Guy Manning. “The Book Trust is currently the largest reading charity in the UK, and I am absolutely thrilled to be chosen as part of their advent calendar this year.

“My book is set on a fictionalised Caldey Island, and the thought of young people all over Britain reading about our lovely part of the world fills me with joy.”

The Book Trust’s head of digital, Sharon Fried-Jones, described Eloise’s book as ‘magical’ and the fictional island of Aberglad 'like a Welsh Kirrin Island'..

She added: “It’s evocative of the wild beauty of Wales and has the feel of classic British children’s literature."

The Book Trust Advent Calendar is online at www.booktrust.org.uk and Elen’s Island, which is suitable for ages seven to 10 years, is available at Tenby Bookshop, Elements of Saundersfoot, Victoria Bookshop, Haverfordwest and Waterstones, Carmarthen, as well as direct from Firefly Press and other online retailers.

Added Eloise: “On Christmas morning, I’ll know that all over Britain there will be children finding Elen’s Island under the Christmas tree or in their stockings, and there is no better feeling in the world.”