Swanscombe mum and son duo release The Victorian Time Traveller children's book on Amazon and at Waterstones
05:00, 01 January 2022
updated: 18:08, 05 January 2022
A boy who has severe learning difficulties has paired up with his mum to write and release a children’s book together.
Frankie Baldacci started creating the time-travelling character Fredrick Ramsbottom at primary school during a creative storytelling lesson and it has now spiralled into the newest children’s book series.
Vanessa talking on how the book came to be
The 13-year-old from Swanscombe struggles with auditory processing disorder – which affects his ability to process instructions and conversation clearly – dyslexia and autism but that has never got in his way.
Mum Vanessa Baldacci said: “It is funny, he has created some excellent ideas for devices and time travel from his own imagination.
“This is just the start. We are all very proud. He has created this using his imaginative thinking with his learning difficulties. It is good to see a little bit of light especially for a mum and teachers.
“This is a huge achievement. He is proud of this.”
Although Frankie struggles to write, with the help from teachers at Trinity School and College in Rochester and his mum, he has been able to produce The Victorian Time Traveller.
The book follows a Victorian chap on his time-travelling adventures to different eras starting in Roman times where he gets caught up with some historical guards.
Vanessa explained all the ideas and creations are original from Frankie, who comes up with the plots and twists but she helps to put this down into words.
She added: “It has taken a while but we are here and we have produced this. He has done an amazing job with it.
“Frankie looked at the promotional books we were sent through and when we opened the box his face had a big smile on it.
“He was just so proud. It was a big day. Even just receiving the promotional goods it was very nice just to see that smile, it is lovely to see.”
Frankie started the books over four years ago at school in a lesson where they were asked to pick a character and come up with a story.
Impressed with his work his teachers got in contact with Vanessa and they were able to adapt his learning to include set times for writing.
Vanessa added: “I got an email saying they were really impressed that he came up with this. There were so many lines on this email.
“I just could not believe it and from there I went to the school and had a meeting. I am really pleased and proud.”
“We are finding something within Frankie that is big.
“This is a huge achievement for him and now having more confidence in himself, he hopes to inspire other children and spread some hope and joy from all walks of life.”
During lockdown the pair worked on two follow up books which are at the publishers set in the Second World War and the Victorian age.
They are titled Fredrick Ramsbottom’s WW2 Adventure and the Victorian and FBI Agents.
The dyslexia friendly book is available now at all major retailers including Waterstones, Barnes and Noble and online from Amazon Worldwide.
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