Chloe’s inspirational book a sellout

A six-year-old girl grabbed all the headlines at Listowel Writers’ Week in Co Kerry yesterday when a limited edition of her debut book sold out in minutes.

Chloe O’Sullivan was born with spina bifida and a casual comment from a classmate, who asked her why she was so different, provided the inspiration for her work.

Chloe, from Farranfore, Co Kerry, joined forces with her dad, Con, and within two months they had penned a compelling story, complete with colourful illustrations.

Chloe’s book, The Fairy who was Different, tells the story of a fairy who stood out from the others because she had a clipped wing.

According to her dad, the story mirrors his daughter’s own life in many ways and she was delighted to see her work in print. Chloe walks with the assistance of a splint on her left leg, and the injured fairy in her story had to rely on a similar device to help her to get through life.

Chloe, a senior infants pupil at Knockaderry, Farranfore, wants all proceeds from the book to go Enable Ireland, an organisation that has helped her greatly.

A limited run of 100 copies was printed to test the market and they were snapped up at the gala launch where Chloe signed copies for her new fans and read the opening chapter. An extensive print run is now a priority and the O’Sullivan family hopes it will provide a boost to the benefiting charity.

“She was absolutely delighted, and what made it even more special was that all her classmates were there to support her,” said Con.

“My wife Elaine and I are so proud of our little girl and she never ceases to amaze us in everything she does.”

Con said Chloe has always been fascinated by books and since she was aged four she regularly took several sheets of paper from the printer, folding them together and drawing on all the pages.

“When I asked her what she was doing she’d say: ‘This is my book, Daddy,’ and now her dream has come true.”