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Edition 1gm FRI 22 AUG 1997, Page 32
Gez pens a winner for son
BY LAURA COLLINS


WHEN Gez Walsh found his nine-year-old son was showing no interest in books,
he tackled the problem head on - by writing a book he knew Lee would enjoy.
Gez called his book The Spot On My Bum and filled it with poems full of
playground humour that boys of Lee's age love to snigger at.
And for the first time, Lee had a book he didn't want to put down.
Social worker Gez, 38, says: "Lee was very bright but his reading never seemed
to progress.
"We found he was suffering from dyslexia, which meant he had difficulty
recognising certain words and letters.
"Rather than admit he couldn't read, he avoided books all together."
Gez and his wife Carol, 35, tried to encourage Lee to read, but he was rarely
interested in the subject matter.
So Gez began to write rhymes he thought would amuse his son.
He says: "Mention bums or sweaty socks and Lee, like most boys of his age,
thinks it's great fun.
"He was very enthusiastic about my poems and even began to contribute lines of
his own."
Gez's poetry soon gained a reputation amongst local children and eventually he
found a publisher for his work.
Gez, of Huddersfield, says: "The book has been well received by adults and
children.
"And if it encourages more kids to take an interest in reading, it will have
been well worth the effort."
The Spot On My Bum is available in bookshops at Pounds 3.99, or by ringing the
King's England Press on 01226 270258.

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