Corio author John Smithers is celebrating publishing his first children’s book and plans for a television series.
John has written six books in the Trevor The Tram series, with fellow train enthusiast David Barnes the illustrator. The first to be printed, Trevor The Tram and the little lost boy, has been well received by children, parents and educators.
“Trevor was inspired by a procession of W Class trams I encountered while working as a railway signalman in Melbourne one night,” John said. “The name stuck and inspired the stories.”
John said Trevor is a helpful tram who comes to the rescue, including when other modes of transport fail.
“The first book took me about a week to write and 12 to 18 months to have David complete the illustrations,” John said. “I’ve learnt a lot about self-publishing and I’m happy to say the printing was done here in Geelong.”
In a recent development, John has signed a deal with Matt Poidevin Pictures, which is planning to produce a children’s TV series of the books. John will retain artistic control and hold all rights to the children’s book series. He’s hoping Trevor could become Australia’s answer to Thomas the Tank Engine.To order a copy of Trevor The Tram and the little lost boy, go to https://www.trevorthetram.com.au.