AN AUTHOR and resident of Binfield launched her new bilingual children’s book on World Book Day at Binfield Library.

Judith Makaniankhondo’s book called Happy Birthday Vana was launched on World Book Day at the library on Thursday, March 7.

The book follows the recollection of her daughter Vana's 5th birthday and celebrates contentment.

The novel was given to Vena as a present for her 6th birthday so that she could dress up on World Book Day as herself.

Judith, read her book at the Binfield Library to children and believes her story celebrates personal beauty.

She said: “When I read the book at the library, the children were captivated and engaged with me. They also spoke about birthdays and special things about their lives.

"Another shared about the pets they had at home. I was happy that the book had this effect.

"There was a lady called Lauren who is a local childminder, she said she was pleased with the realism of the book and how it brought the themes of multiculturalism and how it had pictures of things children could relate to.”

The project was supported by Bracknell Forest Libraries, where the book was launched.

The book is bilingual and is written in both the English and Chichewa language.

Happy Birthday Vana can be purchased online at Amazon.