User:Muddy Waters Books

Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters is the title character in a series of children's books based on narrow boats and waterways, written by D.H. Clacher and illustrated by Stephen Preedy. The first book, Poppy at the Boat Show was released in October 2009, followed by book two, Jolly Boatman's Lesson and the third story of the 10 title series, Pearly's Welcome to London, was launched in November 2009. The books have proved a big success and with rumours of various international tales to come Muddy Waters looks set to become a children’s favourite.

From concept to book shelf
Following an inspirational wander along the Oxford canal with his grandson, author D.H. Clacher began writing short stories about the antics and adventures of fictional, articulated narrow boats. Having lived for several years close to the Oxford canal, Clacher had always enjoyed close relationship with the tranquillity and relaxed lifestyle so abundant on the British waterways and sought a way to convey that sentiment to children and adults alike. Frustrated at the lack of waterways based children's literature and wary of computer generated images (CGI) overuse, Clacher wanted to find another way of engaging kids by offering stories about real locations (initially in the UK, latterly throughout the world) and hand drawn and painted illustrations that enhance the experience of the reader. Muddy Waters was to be fun, vibrant and exciting with classic warmth and earthy touch.

He developed the initial stories into a picture book format following encouraging feedback and began his collaboration with illustrator Preedy. Both settled on a first series of 10 books and work started on the first proof of concept title, Poppy at the Boat Show, which was printed in May 2009. Since then Clacher has developed the concept significantly, taking into consideration critical feedback and refining many of the book's elements, to finally publish the first and second titles in October 2009 (via Windlass Publishing). Books can be purchased via the Muddy Waters website muddywaters.org.uk or at a number of stores throughout the UK priced £3.99.

Characters
There are 18 Muddy Waters characters: Muddy Waters himself, Jolly Boatman, Dizzy Spells, Poppy, Dudley, Dawn Chorus, Pearly Whites, Geordie, Balliol, Tinker, Ol' One Eye, Hamish, Owen, Cedric, Coal Face, Milly, Dagwood and Old Badger, each possessing unique traits and foibles.

Real Locations
All boats reside at Thrupp Wharf, a small hamlet 7 miles north of Oxford, Oxfordshire. From their home they travel the length and breadth of the British Waterways from London to Scotland through Manchester, Birmingham and many others. Each story explores a new 'real location' such as Pearly's Welcome to London where Jolly Boatman and Muddy Waters take in the sights along the river Thames (Oxford, Henley, Windsor etc) before meeting up with Pearly Whites in London and the forthcoming title Hamish and the Falkirk Wheel where the little boats get to witness an incredible feat of engineering ingenuity.