A local early childhood educator has turned her own experiences with children and reading into three children’s books she has written.

Alonna Murray of North Glengarry is the author of the Lochlan and the Hedgehog series of books; The Boy and his Hedgehogs, Hedgy’s Smelly Feet, and a colouring/activity book based on the series.

Murray grew up in Dalkeith and Alexandria. She attended Laggan Public School and Glengarry District High School (GDHS). Her mother, Donna Murray had a home daycare.

“My childhood home always had young children in it. I loved being around children at a young age.

In my youth I would babysit children in the area,” Alonna Murray said. That experience was the foundation that led her to study Early Childhood Education. Her career in that field, along with her own memories, is what led her to write.

“I have been in the childcare field for over 18-plus years. What this has taught me is you learn from children just like they learn from you,” she said.” As a kid I struggled to read and dreaded speaking in front of people scared I would trip over my words. Being in front of children and reading them a fun story, I am fearless,” she added.

Murray said children do not judge, they just listen.

The idea for the books began with Murray’s son, who is coincidentally named Lochlan.

“He struggled to read like I did. He has a beautiful imagination, and I love to draw. I wrote him a story of things he told me about his stuffed hedgehogs. Once I started showing friends and family my little sketches, they all encouraged me to get published,” Murray explained.

After being turned down by several publishers who wanted to change stories or illustrations, Murray decided to self-publish her work instead.

“My first book is an intro book, introducing all the characters. The second book is about bathtime and how one of the hedgehogs doesn’t like to take a bath,” Murray explained. The next book, which she is still working on, is about the fear of starting school and riding a bus. 

“I have written and illustrated these books myself with my husband’s help editing. I have used my childcare experience to make stories about struggles children are facing, adding fun facts about hedgehogs and a little humour in it as well.  The characters are relatable and cute,” Murray said.

All of Murray’s books are available on Amazon. She is hoping to release three more books in 2025. Copies have also been donated to the libraries in Vankleek Hill, Dalkeith, and local schools. 

Murray really appreciates how supportive people around her have been as she established herself creating children’s books.

“The support I have been getting from friends, families, neighbours and my students is so amazing. I never thought so many people would love my stories like they do, but to hear from children that it’s now their favourite story truly melts my heart,” she said.

Murray hopes to have her next book completed by the end of the winter.