A BRIDPORT artist has teamed up with her former English teacher to publish a book.

Nicola Dennis, who has also just been awarded the Bridport Art Society's Sally Roper Cup, has just published her second fully illustrated children’s book The Magic Makers.

The Magic Makers is a creation myth, written in verse by John Eames - who taught Nicola English at Woodroffe in the 1970s.

It was social media who brought the pair back together when Nicola recognised his name from "friends you might know."

She said: "I never really expected a reply after nearly 40 years. I wasn't even sure he would know me but was delighted that having seen my website John dropped me a line saying how much he liked my work.

"Soon afterwards he attached The Magic Makers as an example of work he had done, together with a message asking if I would be interested in doing an illustration for it.

"He was an inspirational English teacher in the 1970s while at the Woodroffe School.

"As soon as I read his magical poem, I fell in love with the imagery and couldn't resist the challenge of producing some artwork to interpret it. Having read and re-read the poem, however, I soon realised that one image to portray such wonderful verbal imagery was never going to be enough.

"Over several months the number of illustrations grew to more than 30 and we decided to meet to discuss the possibility of publishing an illustrated poetry book for children aged 10 and upwards.

John began teaching English at the Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis in 1972. After gaining a Doctorate in English Renaissance Literature, he continued his career in sixth form colleges.

He was head of English at Pendleton Sixth Form College in Salford for seven years overseeing a national pilot for the then newly-created English Language ‘A’ Level. One aspect of the new syllabus was writing for children, linked to the study of child language acquisition.

John said: "It is vital to find ways through to a child’s mind and imagination. Rhythm is central to this. Its music is so powerful that it can excite not just the emotions but also the intellect, leading children to an understanding of vocabularies beyond their notional range.”

Nicola added: "To encourage children to write, to express themselves with words or through art is a passion both John and I share."

Nicola has two further publications on the drawing board. Wanda the Oystercatcher and the Enchanted Kingdom will be the next in a series of books written and illustrated for Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Nicola will be at book signings at The Book Shop South Street Bridport on Saturday November 5 and at Groves Nurseries on Saturday November 19. Nicola will also be attending various Christmas markets in the area.