When Sharon Milling moved to Newham in 1998, she fell in love with the Borough’s parks, multi-cultural mix and annual community events. What the would-be author didn’t know then, was the role her new home would play as the inspirational backdrop to her first children’s book titled: Mum, I Want To Pee!

Sharon was a creative child whose father had taught her to play the piano aged two. She continued to develop her creativity, resulting in the ability to play six instruments, create art pieces and author a hoard of handwritten stories.

Then life got in the way – a mortgage, two children and a nine-to-five job. Finding those same stories years later, Sharon decided to turn her dream of being an author into reality. The story unfolded from personal experience during a trip with her daughter, Jasmine, to the Mayor’s Newham Show, which is held annually in Central Park.

Jasmine was excited to join the audience and see the famous BBC acts on stage but as soon as they had secured their spot she announced: “Mum, I want to pee!” It’s a sentence that most parents have heard and dread! Sharon took this moment and turned it into an enjoyable book, illustrated by Jason Lee, based on the mother and daughter duo. Seeing her image, Jasmine sang “I’m going to be in a book!” and has since been inspired to write her own short stories.

Sharon has enjoyed reading Mum, I want To Pee to students in Newham primary schools and has recently been nominated for The Author Elite Awards. She is now working on her second book, a self help work for adults. She said: “It is never too late to try.”

Mum, I Want To Pee is available on Amazon.

www.sharon-milling.com

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