Happy 10th Birthday to Victoria’s Torton Tales
Wow, it’s been 10 years since we published our first two children’s storybooks, Victoria’s Busy Day and Pop Comes to Sewards’ Yard. We cannot believe it has been that long. There is now a range of storybooks, our fun Activity and Colouring book, the early learning 123 Counting book for our younger fans and of course all our greetings cards, different designs and even our Christmas cards, which are great for the little ones (and big ones). Not forgetting the great range of children’s t-shirts, always loved by the children who can choose their favourite characters to have on their t-shirts.
Wendy has put her life and soul into this over the past 10 years, spending hours writing her books; she is writing all the time. Promoting the books to new and existing fans is a real full-time job.
A lot has happened over the past 10 years. Wendy’s children, Jack and Seren, who she wrote the first two stories for way back in the early 2000s, are now grown up (29 and 26). Victoria is still very much a part of their lives, thrilling fans at events and outings all year round. Wendy and her family are now proud to own two additional steam engines. Firstly, in 2022, the little 6” Foden, “Francois”, joined them, and they all have great fun with him at events, and he has driven a fair few miles on the road. Then, of course, just a couple of years ago, “Albert”, the traction engine, came back from France and joined the family, and he can be seen with Victoria and Francois at many events, although Wendy has said that he is quite often off having repairs!
This is a milestone for Wendy; she never imagined that she would be a published author and send her storybooks to children all over the world, as she said, “It is a dream come true… We have done so well to get where we are. There is always more to be done and more people to see these marvellous books, so we must keep promoting them.”
Wendy also said, “I would like to thank all those who have bought my books over the past 10 years. I’ve met so many wonderful people and children who have become fans of Victoria and her friends. I can’t thank them all enough. We love meeting Victoria’s fans, seeing all the pictures, receiving messages, and hearing the very kind words about my books when we are out and about. I would also like to thank all the places that have stocked my books, including shops, museums, the National Traction Engine Trust (NTET), and the Steam Apprentice Club (SAC), for supporting me. Thank you, everyone. Here’s to the next 10 years!”
We wish Victoria’s Torton Tales a very Happy 10th Birthday, and look forward to more stories in the future.
