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Children's author with cancer races to finish series

Wells Voice Peter Butler smiling at the camera while sitting in an armchair in a converted shed at the bottom of his garden. He is wearing a white bucket hat, glasses resting on the tip of his nose, a cream knitted jumper, jeans and a red handkerchief around his neck. There is a laptop resting on his knees. He is surrounded by aquatic-themed decorations, such as lobster pots, ropes, nets, shells and a gold ship lantern.Wells Voice
Peter Butler said finishing his beloved collection gives him "an incentive to stay alive"

An author with terminal cancer says he has made it his life's mission to complete a children's book series started for his daughters.

Peter Butler, 81, from Wells in Somerset, wants to see the publication of all six books in the collection, The Tales of Gripper the Crab.

The stories are inspired by family holidays to Cornwall with his wife and two daughters, where they would play in rock pools and learn about marine life.

He said: "I have a task to do and it's kept me alive. It's my purpose in life and I'm not going to give up."

His third book, Dotty’s Cry for Help, will be published in April 2025, with all the proceeds donated to children's cancer charities.

Kathryn Pow The cover is a watercolour painting of the drained bottom of a rockpool, with a seagull, crab, turtle and hermit crab smiling and waving. Kathryn Pow
Heidi's New Home, published in 2023, was the first of six books in the series

Mr Butler says during seaside holidays more than three decades ago, his daughters would sit by the rockpools and give all the aquatic creatures names.

When they returned home, their mother would keep the stories alive by scribbling pretend letters from their 'rock pool friends' and posting them to the girls.

"It was so wonderful watching them open and read the letters that I promised myself that one day, possibly when retired, I would take it a step further," Mr Butler said.

Kathryn Pow The cover is a watercolour painting of the top of a rockpool surrounded by rocks and algae. In the middle of the water there is a turtle smiling and around the edge of the pool there is a seagull, crab, octopus, dolphin and an oystercatcher bird.Kathryn Pow
Tommy's Rescue Team, the second book in the series, covers themes of ocean pollution and marine conservation

However, his plan suffered a setback in 2016 when he was diagnosed with stage 3+ bowel cancer.

Following an 11-hour operation and intensive chemotherapy his cancer went into remission, but sadly returned two years ago.

Doctors broke the news that the tumours now advanced to his colon, and he was given an estimated three to five years to live.

Kathryn Pow A watercolour painting depicting the backs of a seagull wearing a captain's hat, turtle, crab and hermit crab. They all have their arms, wings, and claws around each other, looking into the distance. There are four yellow stars above them. Kathryn Pow
Mr Butler's daughters, now with families of their own, read the tales to their children

But in spite of his diagnosis, Mr Butler said he has bigger things on his mind.

"I don't think about dying at all. It's not relevant to what I'm trying to do," he said.

"All I think about is getting the next book done."

Although the books are targeted towards children, they contain lessons around themes such as sea pollution, global warming and homelessness.

Mr Butler said in the event of his death, his family are ready and willing take over the publishing of his remaining books.

"I want it to be a legacy for children of the future to read," he said.

"To realise the importance of being together, being there for one another, and making the world a better place."

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