A story I wrote 27 years ago to comfort my 4 year-old daughter is about to be published.
Illustrated and designed by well-known blogger Jo Robinson, it’s titled “Myrtle the Purple Turtle”. It’s about a turtle who suddenly realizes she is different from her friends. She doesn’t like it, and tries to change.
The story is about difference, friendship, and overcoming obstacles.
It was inspired by an experience my daughter Lauren had one day when she brought her black doll to her nursery school.
I’d been producing children’s TV shows back then; that may be why I made up this story for Lauren. It immediately became her favourite. Soon she knew it by heart!
In fact, Myrtle’s story was improved each night, in response to Lauren’s questions and her father’s and older sister’s suggestions.
Early this year, egged on by my husband and Chris Graham, the popular British book blogger — and supported by my children — I decided to publish the story in book-form and asked Jo to illustrate it.
So, 27 years later, Myrtle will finally get her time in the sun!
Another interesting development: Lauren, now one of Canada’s brightest lights in digital media, has been helping to shepherd the book to publication, and will oversee its marketing.
Jo, meanwhile, has been working on the illustrations for several months, and is now adding the final design touches to the book.
I’ll share the book cover with you very soon.
Cynthia Reyes 
Congrats! Can’t wait to read it and purchase for friends and family. BRAVO Cynthia.
You are such a kind supporter of my writing, Chip. Thank you, fellow writer!
How exciting!
Thanks, Sandra! My best to you.
Cynthia, I love it already!! 😀 Well done to everyone encouraging to write this in book format and how brillliant that Jo is doing the illustrations. Very exciting and with such super support in marketing too. Best of luck with the launch of your book.
Thank you very much, Annika!
Very exciting! Let us know the minute it is published.
Hi Karen: You know I will! Thank you for support, as always.
I love turtles and purple, too! Congratulations, Cynthia.
Me too, Jill. Thank you!
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
NEWSFLASH from Cynthia 👍😃
Thanks, again, Chris, for supporting Myrtle!
My pleasure, Cynthia ❤️
How very exciting and lovely that Jo has illustrated it. Good luck with the launch!
Thank you, my blogger-friend.
Congratulations!
My thanks!
Wonderful! Congrats!
Laurie, I’m sure your wonderful new book “Maya and the Book of Everything” didn’t take 27 years to publish, right? (smile) Thank you for your congrats.
Great news Cynthia, I can hardly wait to read it.
So kind of you, Georgeina.
Very exciting Cynthia. Love the title. Best of luck, Wendy xox
Thank you, Wendy. Best to you and Nick.
Myrtle looks lovely. I hope the book is a great success.
Thanks very much!
Congratulations on another book! The illustration here is very well done!
Thank you very much my blogger friend.
Delighted to make Myrtle’s acquaintance. And I look forward to meeting Myrtle in all her glory when I get my hands on the book. Congratulations, Lady Cynthia
Thank you, Marilyn, for that kind comment!
Wonderful Cynthia – a tale proving it’s never too late 🙂 Myrtle is a beautiful purple turtle ❤
Thank you for this!
Terrific Cynthia and I am sure that Jo has done an amazing job. Look forward to showcasing when ready.. hugs xx
Thanks very much, dear Sally.
This is exciting news, Cynthia. Congratulations!
Blessings ~ Wendy
What wonderful news – congratulations my dear Cynthia!
And thank you my dear friend.
Congrats Cynthia! Myrtle sounds like a wonderful character and book. I look forward to meeting her. 🙂 Kudos on bringing another book into circulation!
Thank you always for cheering me on Brad.
You’re welcome. I’m excited for you. 🙂
How wonderful! Congratulations!
Thank you!
You are welcome!
Congratulations, Cynthia! I too will be interested in knowing when your book is available. 🙂
Thank you, Betty!
What a brilliant story! I hope the book does well, Cynthia.
Thanks Helen – very much
A purple turtle, how fabulous.
Looking forward to seeing your story in print.
Wishing you and Myrtle a successful launch.
Thanks for this kind comment, Phoenix. How lovely.
Perfect rhyming fun for a 4 year old
Super cool!! I love how all the pieces finally came together and the moment is ripe for purple turtles!
It’s a great feeling, Kerry. Maybe it’s a good thing it wasn’t published 27 years ago.
Wonderful!
Congrats Cynthia! It sounds like a wonderful story, and Myrtle looks like a very cute turtle!
Thank you, Jessica! Glad you like Myrtle.
Wonderful and exciting!
And you forgot ‘scary’, Sheryl. Do you ever get over the nerves when a new book is released?
Wonderful, Cynthia, that your book is finally seeing the light. Jo’s illustration of the turtle is lovely. 🙂
Thanks so much! I’m sure Jo will be happy to hear that.
Well, you already know how forward I am looking to “Myrtle” – sounds like you’ve got a great team working with you, too. Can’t beat having the story’s inspiration (Lauren) doing promotion. Wishing you all the success!
Thank you, Jeanne, for your kind support of this book and the others. It matters, especially coming from a writer-illustrator such as you.
How very wonderful Cynthia!! Excited to see the cover and the finished book. Tina
Tina, so good to hear from you. I’ll be glad to hear your reaction to both the cover and the book.
This sounds fabulous Cynthia – I love the name and the message.
Thank you, Andrea!
Congrats you! That’s great. I’m glad Myrtle will be out there for other kids.
Me too. Thanks for such a nice response.
How exciting! Congrats to you all. 😃
Thanks, Julie.
A good story never gets old; love that Myrtle is bringing her special purple to brighten our world.
Thank you, my friend!
I would have loved to have read this book as a child. This sounds like a beautiful, uplifting story for adults as well as children. I loved turtles, and still do. Congratulations to you, Cynthia!
Big thanks to you for saying this, Lavinia. I hope it will be uplifting for all.
That’s wonderful, Cynthia! Looking forward to learning more about “Myrtle.” The illustration is superb! 🙂 xo
Thank you, Bette!
Sounds like a delightful book, Cynthia. Keep us posted on publication and availability! 🙂
Will do, Linda. Thank you.
Your talent just keeps on comin’! Can’t wait to read about Myrtle’s adventures:).
Thank you, K.
aw, this sounds like a delightful book! please note i have sent you an email – not sure if it may have ended up in your spam box. do take care, and all the very best to you and Myrtle!
I have searched for the email, but haven’t found it. Would you please resend? Thank you.
Oh wow. Sounds really cool. Congrats.
Thank you, MT.
Congratulations Cynthia and good luck with the publication – wishing you much success! How nice that something great has come from a connection with your daughter!
Thanks so much, Tina. It’s a nice development.
Congratulations my friend!
Thank you!
What a wonderful idea Cynthia. Good stories never fade away. I’m sure this will become a favorite of many children. 🙂
Thank you, Debby.
🙂