Roseland Childcare's Tara Garmston publishes children's book

Tara Garmston was born with MRKH syndrome  - an abnormality which affects one in every 5,000 women, and is characterised by the absence of a cervix and uterus. The condition can also cause hearing difficulties or bone changes and can impact kidneys.

“I have faced struggles and overcome a lot of obstacles to get where I am,” said Ms Garmston, who owns and directs Roseland Childcare on Lombard Street.

“School wasn’t easy, but I worked hard to achieve what I have, and I would like to inspire young people to do the same.”

Along with establishing and running Roseland Childcare, which has a glowing CIW inspection report, Ms Garmston has written her first children’s book The Little Black Cat, published through publishing company Austin Macauley.

The Little Black Cat is a rhyming book aimed at children up to the age of five about the daily adventures and characteristics of - you guessed it - a little black cat, which is written and illustrated by Ms Garmston.

“The book was inspired by my very own little black cat,” said the 42-year-old.

“I have also teamed up with Cuddly Critters that can provide a little black cat teddy to go with the book.

“I own a nursery and read a lot of children’s books, which gave me the idea to write my own – it’s not necessarily a story but a fun, light read with some morals.

“When the nursery was forced to close due to the [coronavirus] pandemic it gave me time to think and create it.”

Ms Garmston hasn’t written books before but has started working on her next book and has ideas for more books based on animals.

The Little Black Cat is available at WHSmith, Waterstones, eBay, and Amazon.