AN illustrator who was inspired by her toddler's first visit to Glastonbury Festival last year will launch her new picture book next month.

Katherine O’Shea has successfully crowdfunded the project, which will see real-life families drawn into the festival crowds.

The book, called Molly's First Festival, is a fun and inclusive picture book about a little girl going to a famous music festival with her family for the first time. 

Katherine's book will launch at a ‘baby rave’ in Oxford on Father's Day (June 18).

There will also be a local launch on June 10 at Bronwyn's Baby in Wells, where families can pick up a signed copy and enjoy creative family-related activities.

Somerset County Gazette: Katherine was inspired to create the picture book by her daughter Molly's first trip to Glastonbury Festival.Katherine was inspired to create the picture book by her daughter Molly's first trip to Glastonbury Festival. (Image: Katherine O'Shea)

Katherine said: “The idea for this story came out of my own experience of attending Glastonbury Festival as a parent for the very first time, with my little girl Molly.

“My husband and I had never gone to an event like this with a toddler in tow and were both rather nervous, given the fact she had been born during the Covid lockdown and was unused to such a large event.

“Of course, music festivals are wonderful places for children and despite the ups, downs and general messes, we all had a magical time.

“I know there are thousands of people who will recognise this ‘family experience’ of a festival, and I want to write and illustrate this story for them.”   

Molly's First Festival has been self-published, self-marketed and entirely self-funded.

Somerset County Gazette: Glastonbury Festival returned in 2022 for the first time since the outbreak of Covid.Glastonbury Festival returned in 2022 for the first time since the outbreak of Covid. (Image: Matt Crossick, PA Wire)

Katherine held a crowdfunding campaign via the Kickstarter platform between November 1 and December 6, with the aim to raise the money needed to independently publish the book in time for this summer's festival season.

The campaign raised a total of £4,141, exceeding her initial £3,000 target.

To encourage pledges, Katherine offered cameo appearances in the book for larger donations, meaning real people will feature in her festival crowds.

The successful fundraiser allowed the book to become a reality, which can be bought from www.mollysfirstfestival.com.