An award-winning children's author from Bolton will be signing copies of her new book at Waterstones and at Ebb & Flo.

Jen Carney, the Bolton born author, will be signing copies of her latest book, The Day My Dog Got Famous, at Ebb & Flo bookshop in Chorley on Saturday, February 3 between 11am and noon, and at Waterstones in Wigan on Saturday, February 10 between 11am and 1pm.

The Day My Dog Got Famous, published by Penguin and aimed at readers 8+, is the first book in a new series that celebrates foster families.

Jen, who supported Jeff Kinney, the hugely popular author of the Diary of A Wimpy Kid series, on his UK tour, said, ‘As well as encouraging reading for pure pleasure, I’m passionate about ensuring different family units are represented in children’s literature.

The Bolton News: Jen Carney and her dog Ben

“In my debut series, The Accidental Diary of B.U.G., I focused on a child who’d been adopted, like my own children.

“I was inspired to write my new series by my sister. She’s been a foster carer for over 20 years and has four children of her own as well. She’s a hero.”

The story, which is about a boy who finds himself drawn into an online pet popularity contest, despite having a decidedly untalented pet dog, has been widely praised by early readers including children’s TV presenter, Lauren Layfield, who said.

The Bolton News: Jen Carney

She said: ”It’s a really fun story with Jen’s signature funny illustrations - your kid’s gonna love it!’ Maisie Chan, author of Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths, also described the book as ‘Funny, heartfelt and inclusive - a brilliant read.’ Jen cites another inspiration for her latest book as her childhood dog, Ben.

She said: “'Growing up, Ben was my best friend, but he could be rather embarrassing and some of his antics have made it into the final edit.

“He used to steal and eat tights.

“Let's just say that taking him out to do his business on Tudor Avenue, where I grew up, often ended in a rather odd game of tug-of-war.”

As part of Jen’s book launch, she will be delivering fun workshops to children at Washacre Primary School in Westhoughton and St Peter’s C of E in Farnworth with the support of Bolton School Library Service.