A creative grandmother is hoping to promote the great outdoors for children in a comical new book.

Eastern Daily Press: The front page of Curly Sheep's Bad Hair Day written by Hellesdon author and illustrator Sandra Derry. Picture: SANDRA DERRYThe front page of Curly Sheep's Bad Hair Day written by Hellesdon author and illustrator Sandra Derry. Picture: SANDRA DERRY (Image: SANDRA DERRY)

Sandra Derry, 61, from Reepham Road, Hellesdon, has written and illustrated Curly Sheep's Bad Hair Day.

The book is based on the fictional Applegate Farm and tells the tale of a ewe that needs to get her wool shaved off.

It will be the first in a series of eight books by Mrs Derry on Applegate Farm, with each story focussing on different animals.

Mrs Derry, who lived on Valley Farm in Henham, Suffolk, from the age of four to 15, said: 'I was brought up on a farm and had such a wonderful life.

'Children nowadays don't know about farm life and don't know much about animals.

'My stories provide an insight into country life and animals.'

Her father, Walter Schiebler, who died eight years ago, used to look after Friesian cows on Valley Farm.

She added that her stories were originally written down for her two grandchildren, aged two and seven months, and the final look of her debut children's book was how she had envisaged it.

Mrs Derry added: 'It started as a bit of fun.'

As well as addressing farming issues each story contains some humour.

Her main challenge when creating Curly Sheep's Bad Hair Day was working out how to create a 'childlike book'.

The finished book, which is aimed at four and five-year-olds was reviewed by pupils at Kinsale Infant School in Norwich.

Mrs Derry said it was tough coming up with the right illustration for the main character.

She has always enjoyed painting and creates watercolours based on rural Norfolk landscapes.

The book costs £9.99 and is on sale at Jarrold Norwich, Book Hive Norwich, Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden at South Walsham and www.allthingsnorfolk.com. Alternatively call 01603 666011.