A NEW children’s book based in a West Somerset village thought to be the country’s most haunted will be officially launched next week.

‘Poppy - The Ghost Hunter of Dunster’ has been written by Nina Dodd, who has a shop in Dunster, where every home is said to have at least one ghost.

Despite being about ghosts, the interactive book is aimed at children aged four to 10 years.

It tells the story of a ‘bubbly little sausage dog’ called Poppy, who wants to find ghosts in Dunster and travels around the village without realising everybody she meets is actually a ghost.

It is based on more than 60 stories Ms Dodd collected in Dunster when she was writing ‘Witches, Giants and a Ghost Cat - a travel guide to the mystery tales of Dunster’, which was published in 2023.

Ms Dodd said some of those stories had been transferred to the ‘Poppy’ book, but were naturally written in a manner so as not to be too scary for children.

It also contains 16 full-spread illustrations by Ms Dodd from different parts of Dunster, including the Yarn Market, Luttrell Arms, and Gallox Bridge.

Ms Dodd said: “Besides being a fun adventure, ‘Poppy’ conveys an important message of acceptance and love for one’s fellow citizens, no matter how different they are.

“This theme is shown in the relationship between the high-energy Poppy, who loves dashing from one adventure to another, while her brother Peanut just wants to stay home where it is cosy and warm.

“In the words of Poppy when she comes back home from her ghostly adventures to find her brother sitting by the fire, ‘we certainly are all different… I’ve also had a great day, but it’s wonderful to be back home’ as she gives her brother a little tender kiss.”

‘Poppy - The Ghost Hunter of Dunster’ will have an official launch as part of the first-ever Dunster Winter Festival, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8.

Ms Dodd will offer two free author reading sessions of the book for children in the back garden of her Dunster Living shop, in High Street, on each festival afternoon.

The idea of writing a children’s book arose because Ms Dodd was always read stories as a child and she continued the tradition with her two sons, ‘plunging them into the fantastical world of both traditional and modern fairy tales’.

Ms Dodd said: “After writing the ‘Witches, Giants and a Ghost Cat’ book, I thought it would be nice to have a children’s ghost book of Dunster as there was no such book on offer in the shops.

“I also do think a lot about the different ways I can promote the area to ensure all businesses remain prosperous and preserve the uniqueness of Dunster as a vibrant destination and a lovely place to live in.”

Ms Dodd will sell the book in her shop and online at www.dunsterliving.com, and book reading sessions can be reserved by emailing [email protected].