Children’s picture book and storytelling EP to launch this autumn.

The Day the StarTribe Made a Magical Cake, a children’s picture book and accompanying storytelling EP, is fantasy escapism based in a woodland wonderland, gently covering themes around mental health.

The EP takes listeners on a magical music journey, giving it intergenerational appeal to children and parents, guardians and carers.

Devised, written and narrated by Sophina Jagot, AKA Brwn Girl in the Ring™, this debut story has been written for children aged 6 – 11 and their grown-ups. The book launches in November through a series of special events: a launch listening party including Q&A with the writer and creative team and book signing at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry on 7 November; and an interactive book launch for families at the Bear Bookshop, Bearwood, an independent bookshop, on 9 November.

The Day the StarTribe made a Magical Cake audio book has been created in collaboration with Reisz ‘Odd Priest’ Amos who worked on composition and arrangement and DJ Steady Steadman who led on sound design. The printed book illustrations are by Malikah Holder.

The story was further developed through school workshops with 120 children at Clifton Primary School (Birmingham), family workshops at Central Library (West Bromwich), Wednesbury Library and Thimblemill Library (Smethwick); alongside mentoring support from Birmingham’s Poet Laureate Jasmine Gardosi and audiobook expert, AsaleSol Young.

Talent Agency and Publisher More Than A Moment have supported the development of the book and EP through sourcing illustrator Malikah Holder and introducing Sophina to Jasmine Gardosi to support story editing. The story of the whole project is being captured by documentary film-maker Simone Herbert.

The creation of The Day the StarTribe made a Magical Cake has been made possible with the support of More Than A Moment, Sandwell Libraries, The Belgrade Theatre and The Birmingham Hippodrome. The project has been made possible via a project grant award by Arts Council England. The project has been managed by Emily Holtom and Amy Dalton-Hardy.

The storytelling EP audiobook is available to download via 9 November on all platforms. To buy a signed copy of the book and / or to attend the launch listening party at The Belgrade Theatre on 7 November book here.