Father inspired to write by son’s death tells parents to cherish bedtime stories

A FATHER who was inspired by the sudden death of his young son to write children’s books has urged parents to rediscover the joy of the bedtime story.

Award-winning author Benji Bennett said parents should “cherish love, laughter and play” and remember how precious every moment of a child’s life is.

Spending 10 minutes reading to a child is received back 10-fold in love and affection, he added.

Benji was in Cork at the weekend to sign copies of his latest book, Adam Saves Christmas. The central character is based on his son, Adam, who died tragically of a brain tumour in 2007, aged just four.

Benji set up Adam’s Printing Press in memory of his son to keep Adam’s spirit alive with the series of Adam’s Amazing Adventures – and to raise money from book sales for children’s charities. Benji also wants to spread Adam’s message of the importance of love, laughter and play in the family.

“Like all angels Adam was sent with a message to remind us of the importance of love, laughter and play within the family and how precious every moment of a child’s life is,” Benji said.

He began to write the series, which includes Before You Sleep and Adam’s Amazing Space Adventure, after Adam’s sudden death, both as a tribute to Adam and as a way to get across “Adam’s message” to “show your love for your family with a hug and a kiss”.

In the new book, Angel Adam visits the North Pole to deliver his letter to Santa Claus only to learn that there is not enough Christmas magic for Rudolph to fly the sleigh.

The book, with beautiful illustrations by Roxanne Burchartz, charts Adam’s efforts to find enough magic to save Christmas.

Benji has also launched a song version of Before you Sleep which is available to buy on iTunes.

Part of the proceeds of every book goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation International.

Benji lives in Blackrock, Co Dublin, with his wife Jackie and their three children, Harry, Robbie and baby Molly.