I wrote a book as I adapted to life in Sunderland and it's been praised by Prince William
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A Sunderland schoolgirl has received Royal recognition for her debut novel, which she penned as she adapted to life in the city.
Kenuli Lehansa and her family moved from Sri Lanka to Sunderland in 2023 and the youngster found that reading and writing stories helped her to quickly adapt to a new language and culture.
Teachers at Richard Avenue Primary School encouraged her to start writing stories and she found a love of literature at regular trips to Sunderland Library at the Museum & Winter Gardens, which further helped to improve her reading and writing skills.
Now 13, and a pupil at St Anthony’s, Kenuli has published her first book, entitled The Mythical Forest, and it’s receiving high praise indeed.
King Charles, Prince William and Mayor of Sunderland, Cllr Ehthesham Haque, have all written letters to Kenuli to encourage her writing.
Writing on behalf of Prince William, the Head of Royal Correspondence, said: “It was greatly moving to hear that the process of writing The Mythical Forest helped you to find your voice and adapt to life in the United Kingdom, and The Prince would have me pass on his sincere hopes that you have settled in well and have enjoyed your time spent living here so far.”
Written for readers aged 10-13, Kenuli’s book is a fantasy book and is inspired by her love of adventure and exploring nature and is on sale via Amazon, Good Reads and other online book stores, as well as at Sunderland City Library, Washington Library, and Houghton Library.
It tells the story of Michael whose ordinary day becomes extraordinary when he discovers the Mythical Forest and encounters talking trees, mysterious creatures, thrilling adventures and challenges that test his courage.
Kenuli said she hopes her stories inspire other young readers to be brave, curious, and creative, no matter where life takes them.
Her dad Gihan Kanda Thalappulige said: “She has had such good feedback from the book and is already writing the sequel.”
Cllr Haque says Kenuli is a “credit to the city” and said the book was a “remarkable contribution, with the most incredible illustrations and storyline, which I look forward to reading again in more depth.”
The Mayor added: “Your dedication and insight to storytelling are evident throughout and I am honoured to have the opportunity to engage with such a distinguished publication.
“Kenuli you are a credit to this city, to your school, and to your family. I hope you are extremely proud of your achievement, and I have no doubt that you could have a successful career as a story writer.”
*The Mythical Forest is available on Amazon here.