Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen to make debut as children's author
Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen to make debut as children's author
Owen, who is known as the Yorkshire Shepherdess, rose to fame for starring in the Channel 5 documentary series, Our Yorkshire Farm, which followed her and her family's life on Ravenseat Farm
Amanda Owen
(Image: Lorna Roach/PA )
Our Yorkshire Farm star, Amanda Owen, will make her debut as a children's author with the release of seven new books.
Owen, who is known as the Yorkshire Shepherdess, rose to fame for starring in the Channel 5 documentary series, Our Yorkshire Farm, which followed her and her family's life on Ravenseat Farm.
The farmer and author, 50, will now debut as a children's writer with the release of seven new titles including picture books, middle-grade non-fiction and fiction.
Her first book is a collection of short stories inspired by life on the farm for readers aged eight to 12 titled, Christmas Tales From The Farm, which is expected to hit shelves this September.
Owen said: "I am absolutely delighted to have been given the opportunity to enter the world of children's books with renowned publishers, Puffin.
"As a mother myself I know firsthand the joy that books can bring to young readers and how a book can stay with you into adulthood, take you places and open up new worlds.
Article continues below
"To be taken under the wing of the Puffin family, publishers of some of my childhood favourites, is something that I could never have dreamed of being possible."
Illustrated by Becca Hall, the collection of short stories will follow countryside characters including a runaway reindeer, special chickens and a clever sheepdog.
Katie Sinfield, editor at Puffin, said: "It felt only natural to bring Amanda's remarkable farming experience and wonderful gift for storytelling to young readers.
"I can't wait for families everywhere to meet real-life characters such as Chalky the dog and Coco the sheep, and to experience the magic of Ravenseat Farm through the warmth of Amanda's bestselling writing and Becca Hall's beautiful illustrations.
"Christmas Tales From The Farm is an incredible book to kick-start our ambitious publishing partnership, and the perfect, must-have gift for every household to read together this Christmas.'
The mum-of-nine is also known for The Yorkshire Shepherdess trilogy and her 2021 title, Celebrating The Seasons With The Yorkshire Shepherdess, which features stories and pictures from their lives in the countryside, alongside seasonal recipes.
Owen's literary agent, Jo Cantello, added: "It's a dream come true to be working with the fantastically talented and supportive Puffin team on Amanda's first children's title, having spent my childhood with my nose buried deep in their books.
"We can't wait to see how Christmas Tales From The Farm is received and to introduce Amanda's incredible gift for storytelling and her characterful farmyard animals to a new audience."
Owen now stars in the Channel 4 series, Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive And Kids, which follows the family as they renovate a farmhouse in the Yorkshire Dales.
Article continues below
Christmas Tales from the Farm is due to be published in hardback on September 11.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I spent £7.6k fixing my saggy Traitors face – trolls think I'm vain but my man says I look 20 again, says Amanda Lovett
The reality icon revealed she was AWAKE for the procedure that took five hours to complete TWO FACE I spent £7.6k fixing my saggy Traitors face – trolls think I'm vain but my man says I look 20 again, says Amanda Lovett Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SETTLING down to watch the first season of The Traitors, Amanda Lovett was eager to see how her character unfolded throughout the hit series. The 57-year-old became a standout success on the BBC show, winning the nation's heart as the 'loveliest yet most fierce competitor' in the debut season of the BAFTA award-winning programme. 10 Amanda Lovett is feeling like a new woman after her face and neck lift Credit: Dan Jones Images 10 She appeared on season one of The Traitor's Credit: Instagram 10 The mum got rid of her sagging skin around her jaw Credit: Dan Jones Images However, no matter how much her character triumphed over the rest in the series, there was one thing Amanda couldn't take her eyes off – her jawline and 'sagging' skin. The mum-of-five and grandmother-of-six had always been dedicated to caring for her skin, investing in expensive creams and undergoing facial threading – a non-surgical procedure designed to lift sagging, ageing skin and stimulate collagen production for a more youthful appearance. Yet, despite spending £500 to £650 per session on the procedure, as well as splashing out on high-end creams, Amanda found that the effects were only temporary. Within a couple of months, gravity would take over, and her face would begin to droop again - so, she decided to do something about it. Amanda, who lives with her husband, Justin Jones, in Swansea, Wales, opted for a neck and lower facelift. She explains: 'I was looking at myself on the camera, and I kept seeing myself at all these different angles that I had never seen before, as it's so different to having a picture taken. 'I noticed my face and neck were just getting saggier and saggier. 'I started to think about needing to wear a scarf or polo necks just to hide this area of my body that I didn't like. 'But then I thought, why should I do that when there is help out there that can sort this issue out and take the years back a bit?' So October last year, Amanda decided to book an appointment with celebrity cosmetic surgeon Dr Carlo at the Signature Clinic in London and document her journey in the new series Olivia Attwood: The Price of Perfection, available to watch on ITVX from Thursday (12 June). Tulisa Contostavlos discovers cause of 12-year health battle that left her in 'horrific pain and fearing for her face' 'I told him I wasn't happy with my jowls and my neck,' she explains. 'He said that he could sort it, but added that I didn't actually need anything done higher up on my face - as I also flagged that I didn't want to look like I had been in a wind tunnel or like I had been sucked by a Henry Hoover. 'I just wanted a more enhanced look, and so he suggested a neck and lower facelift, rather than a full facelift.' The cosmetic procedure cost £7,600 and took between four to five hours to complete - all while Amanda was awake under local anaesthetic. They put these tiny little barbed wire threads into the tiny veins in your face Amanda Lovett 'I was a bit apprehensive at first - I wondered how bad it would be choosing to be awake rather than asleep, but it really wasn't that bad. It felt like a lot of tugging, pulling and tugging. 'Dr Carlo was talking me through every step of the surgery. I found it comforting - I even dozed off at one point.' It took three to four weeks for the swelling to go down for Amanda and three months to fully recover from surgery. She says: 'It takes time to heal, but I was back going out with friends after three weeks. 10 Amanda feared she'd have to hide her neck with scarves and polo necks Credit: Instagram 10 Amanda was awake at the time of her surgery 10 She explained that it felt like her face was being tugged 10 The grandmother was able to view the results straight after 'Now I haven't got a scar or anything. It's absolutely amazing.' Amanda couldn't believe the results, especially when compared to her previous thread facelift. She says: 'The thread facelift was definitely more uncomfortable than getting a facelift. 'They put these tiny little barbed wire threads into the tiny veins in your face, and they lift the thread, so they pull your skin right back. Drooping skin 'They say it's supposed to last for about two years, but I think mine lasted about six months before the results had disappeared and your face is dropping down again, as the threads dissolve in your face.' Despite being apprehensive at first, her children have loved how happy it has made her - and it has reignited a spark with her builder husband, Justin, as well. 'I met my husband when I was 16, and now he keeps saying to me I look like I was 20 again. 'In the morning, when I haven't got makeup on, he'll be complimenting me, telling me how young I look. It's so lovely. 'Other friends and family members are telling me that I have definitely knocked off 10 years. Whether I'm in a nursing home or not, I'll be having my eyelashes, my extensions done, it'll all be done Amanda Lovett 'However, I did have one comment asking if I didn't want to 'grow old gracefully,' but just because I want to look after myself and make myself look better, why does that mean it's not growing old gracefully? That's silly.' Overall, Amanda is thrilled with the results as she has found a new lease of life again. 'I feel amazing within my body now, I am absolutely thrilled with the results,' she explains. 'I think cosmetic surgery used to be so frowned upon for people my age, or seen as something vain or only celebrities do, but it's not. If a woman wants to go and do it, while feeling good about herself, then why not? 'We all need to be holding each other's crown and encouraging each other to do what it takes to feel confident again. 10 Amanda cosies up to Simon Cowell Credit: Instagram 10 Amanda holding a BAFTA award after series one Credit: Instagram 10 Amanda feels like a new woman with her latest transformation Credit: Amanda Lovett 'Joan Collins is my idol, and no one ever says she's not ageing gracefully. 'I've told my children and my grandchildren, I think Joan Collins is absolutely fantastic. 'She's still beautiful, she's still glamorous, and I say to them, that's how I'm going to be. 'Whether I'm in a nursing home or not, I'll be having my eyelashes, my extensions done, it'll all be done.'
Western Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly reportedly named in King's Birthday Honours
The two TV presenters, who have fronted the series together since 2014, will be recognised in this year's list which will be revealed on Friday, The Daily Mail said. Queen Camilla, who attends Silver Swans – classes for elderly ballet dancers run by the Royal Academy of Dance – is known to tune in to BBC's Strictly Come Dancing and has described herself as one of Strictly's 'greatest fans'. Claudia Winkleman, Tess Daly, during an appearance on the live show Strictly Come Dancing on BBC1 (Guy Levy/BBC/PA) Winkleman, 53, is also behind the gameshow, The Traitors, for which she took home the 2023 award for Entertainment Performance at the Baftas. The London-born broadcaster formerly presented on BBC Radio Two until 2024, helming different slots and programmes on the station including the comedy quiz series Hot Gossip, the Claudia Winkleman Arts Show and Claudia On Sunday. Her co-host, Daly, 56, presented the series since it first launched in 2004 alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth until he stepped down from the role in 2014. During that time the model took part in the 2008 Strictly Children In Need special where she won the title with professional dancer Anton Du Beke. The recognition comes amid a turbulent year for the Strictly team with reports alleging inappropriate behaviour from contestants and professional dancers. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman in the press room after winning the Best Entertainment award for Strictly Come Dancing at the Bafta TV Awards 2024, at the Royal Festival Hall in London (Ian West/PA) Most recently, EastEnders star James Borthwick was suspended from the BBC after a video emerged of the actor using a disabled slur on set of the dance programme. This comes after Welsh opera singer and BBC Radio Wales presenter, Wynne Evans, said he had been dropped by the BBC, following an apology saying that he used 'inappropriate language' during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour. In 2024, the BBC launched a review into professional dancer Giovanni Pernice after accusations from contestant Amanda Abbington of 'inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying' behaviour during her time on the 2023 series. Italian dancer Pernice, who 'rejected any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour', and welcomed the conclusion of a BBC review which upheld 'some, but not all' of the complaints made by the actress against him. David Beckham is expected be awarded a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours, according to reports last week, having previously been awarded an OBE in 2003.
Wales Online
4 hours ago
- Wales Online
King ‘told Conclave author he watched papal selection film'
King 'told Conclave author he watched papal selection film' Robert Harris, 68, was formally made a CBE by Charles for services to literature in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday Robert Harris was made a CBE by the King at Buckingham Palace (Image: PA Wire/PA Images ) The author of the hit novel turned Oscar-nominated picture Conclave said the King revealed to him that he has watched the film. Robert Harris, 68, was formally made a CBE by Charles for services to literature in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. Harris said it was "eerie" and "like an out of body experience" to see his 2016 book turned into a film, and then to see the papal selection process which he had researched in so much detail play out in May after the death of Pope Francis. "(It was) very odd, I suppose because I researched it very thoroughly, and really it's the sort of thing that can practically only be done in fiction because you have to have a lot of conjecture," Harris told the PA news agency. "And so it acted as a kind of primer for journalists and for people, so that was very strange. "And then, of course, the extraordinary fact that the new pope watched it on the eve of the conclave." Article continues below Pope Leo's brother John Prevost told NBC News his younger sibling had watched the film before the secret vote. Harris said the King also asked about his new book. "We talked a bit about Conclave, which he has seen," Harris said. "He's been reading my books for years, so it was nice to see him again." The journalist-turned-novelist also joked about how seeing the inside of Buckingham Palace could provide him inspiration for his future books. "There'd have to be some mystery in the throne room, yes, murder in the throne room! It's got possibilities." Harris said it was a "very generous gesture" to receive the honour and he had "never thought about it" before being asked. Author Dame Jacqueline Wilson was made a Dame Grand Cross for her services to the same industry at the ceremony. The 79-year-old former children's laureate is widely known as the creator of Tracy Beaker and has written more than 100 novels. "It feels like a dream," Dame Jacqueline said on receiving the honour. "I'm so pleased, so proud. "I was just totally taken by surprise. To be utterly truthful, I didn't even know this particular honour existed. I'm so proud and so overwhelmed. "If little girl Jacqueline could be told that I'd be standing outside Buckingham Palace with medals and a sash, she would have been astonished." Dame Jacqueline said the King was "jovial" and they laughed about getting her sash on over her "silly hat". "And I did thank him, and particularly also thanked Her Majesty the Queen, because she takes such an interest in children's literature, and that makes all of us writers feel very pleased," she said. Last year, Dame Jacqueline released her first adult novel since the 1970s as she returned to her beloved Girls series. Article continues below The novel, Think Again, was nominated at this year's British Book Awards.
