A CHILDREN’S author has launched a fundraiser to get a new adaptation of her Olympic-themed book published.

Josie Dom, 50, from Halstead, penned her Animalympics poem collection last year.

The poems are about different animals taking part in their own Olympic events and ran alongside a fundraising campaign launched by the author.

Athletes from across the area were invited to read their sport’s verse to raise funds for zoos across the UK.

They included BMX world champion Freia Challis and national archery champion Imogen Newby.

Now Josie hopes to launch a picturebook version of her poem.

She is running a crowdfunding kickstarter to raise funds, while also taking pre-orders for the book.

As well as receiving a signed copy, there is also the chance for residents to have their pet illustrated and included in the book.

It is hoped the book will be published a month before the delayed 2020 Olympics take place.

Josie will donate 15 per cent of sales to zoos.

She said: “The story was inspired by three things – my daughter telling me sloths are good swimmers, animals coming into towns and cities when the UK went into lockdown one and the postponement of the Olympics and Paralympics in 2021.

“It started as a fun activity and evolved into writing a verse for every Olympic sport from archery to volleyball with each sport competed in by a different animal.”