Lewes couple create children’s book about the South Downs

James Morris and Clare Lees created the rhyming picture book story for young children that explores how to go up hills that are called the downs.

James said: “The story was inspired by our time living near Lewes in the shadow of the downs.

“It took me nearly ten years to eventually write it all down and then after a few illustrators created samples we discovered that my partner Clare was actually perfect for doing the drawings. She never even knew she had that talent!”

Up the Downs tells the story of Clare and her pet dog Mo who like to go for walks together.

In the story, they discover a range of hills called the downs.

Puzzled as to why something that you have to go up is called a down they set off to find out more.

When the pair are faced with the challenge of climbing up this steep hill, Mo learns that with perseverance and friendship he can succeed in going up the downs and then enjoy running down the ups!

James, a singer and songwriter, said he and Clare have had a great response to the book, with pre-orders of nearly 70 copies.

The couple said the story is the first in a series of books featuring Mo and Clare.

James added: “We have a number of ideas for future books and Mo and Clare will return in 2021, in a new adventure based on a local Sussex farm which we are calling, ‘Flutterfox Farm’.”

Up the Downs is available to buy on Amazon. An audio track version is also available on Spotify and iTunes and there is a video version of the audio story on YouTube.

Find out more at www.facebook.com/upthedowns.

You can also follow the book’s progress on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MoandClare_ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/moandclare.

Or visit https://moandclare.wixsite.com/upthedowns.