Devon author's new book sailing to success

A new children’s book by Devon publishers has landed on the shelves at Waterstones Torquay, and Bosun Bob is already stealing hearts.

Bosun Bob, The Salty Old Sea Dog is a nautical children's tale written by Erin Allgrove and illustrated by freelance illustrator and artist, Emily Langstaff-Ellis.

Long-term friends become co-authors; the pair have recently founded their own publishing house, Langrove Publishing.

Written in rhyming prose, the book follows the adventures of Bob, a tenacious seafaring dog. Leaving the safety of the harbour for the open ocean, Bob encounters mysterious and sometimes frightening sea creatures before his ship is wrecked by a violent thunderstorm.

When rescued from the icy depths, Bob gains an unexpected shipmate.

Erin, a former hospital director at Exeter’s Nuffield Hospital and also a freelance business consultant, has embarked on a new journey with Bosun Bob. 

Above: Erin

She has stepped back from the healthcare sector to embrace a more flexible lifestyle, spending more time with her family and pursuing her creative passions.

“I was used to a full-time routine, so it’s taken a bit of getting used to, but I think I’m busier now than ever before, which is fine by me,” said Erin. 

“Bob’s doing exceptionally well, and the feedback from retailers has really encouraged me to keep pushing forward.”

Bosun Bob was seven years in the making and was inspired by Erin's experience living aboard her yacht, Rocket.

Above: Erin on her yacht

Having brought her real-life dog, Bob, along for the ride, Erin was inspired by watching his animated reactions to things happening around him.

“He would get so excited if he saw things like dolphins. It inspired me to think up these little rhymes. I revisited the rhymes when I got home and began threading them together to begin a sort of narrative. I then realised that I’d written a story.”

There is a true (ish) story behind every encounter in the book.

Although it took a couple of years to persuade her school friend Emily to illustrate the book, the first piece she completed—a depiction of Bob’s rescue by a turtle—has since become a favourite scene among readers.

Speaking about Emily, Erin said: “It’s amazing. She’s really brought the words to life in such a way that avoids being twee, contrived, or cartoonish. The pictures are somewhere between reality and a child’s imagination.”

South Devon locals might feel a particular connection to Emily’s illustrations, as Hope Cove near Kingsbridge was very much at the forefront of her mind as she worked.

Bosun Bob was partly written in memory of Erin’s father, a sailor also called Bob who introduced her to the world of boating.

“He would have been super, super proud,” said Erin.

Erin admitted that she has learnt a lot about herself through sailing, as the bohemian lifestyle teaches you self-sufficiency and resilience. 

She said: “I’m definitely more tenacious than I thought I was. You have to have the motivation to keep going when entering any industry that you haven’t worked in before. 

“It feels a bit of a dream.”

Erin also praised her partner Matt, who owns The Rising Sun pub in Lynmouth, for his support, admitting that “none of it would have happened without him.”

Amazingly, Bosun Bob represented children’s literature at the recent UNESCO City of Literature conference in Edinburgh. 

Above: Front cover

Cities of Literature from around the world gathered for the event, each bringing books to represent their city, with the Exeter division selecting Bosun Bob.

Erin would like to do more projects with Exeter UNESCO City of Literature and also get involved in the Children’s Literary Trust.

She would like to inspire children to read more broadly, fearing that we’ve become too “categorised with the books that we give our children.”

Erin also said that Waterstones has been one of their biggest supporters and described the book retailer as “amazing”.

To learn more about Langrove Publishing and purchase Bosun Bob, visit: www.langrovepublishing.co.uk.