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Tales of the unexpected for great-grandmother

Laura Thistlethwaite
3/ 7/2008

A RETIRED teacher is to have her first book published at the age of 85.

For 60 years children would hang on Margaret O’Neal’s every word as they settled down to hear the latest magical adventures of Twinkletoes and her twin brother Chicky Wicky Wikey.

The great-grandmother from West Didsbury taught at a number of schools in Wythenshawe where she conjured up the antics of the mischievious duo.

Margaret is the mother of television and radio presenter Eamonn O’Neal, who runs a TV production company with his stepson, ex-Coronation Street actor Chris Bisson.

The pair decided it would be a nice surprise if their first venture into the world of children’s publishing was to print some of Margaret’s legendary tales.

Eamonn, from Sale, said: "Mum has been telling these stories for around 60 years now to the kids in her classes, her children and grandchildren, but she’s never written them down. So when I found three of them which she must have written out for me at some point I knew we should publish them.

"She is just a natural storyteller, even when she is just telling you a tale about something non-fictional – it’s always interesting. We loved it as children, it‘s a great skills for a mother to have.

"I think she was a bit mortified at first when I told her people would be able to buy them, but I sent a copy out to her old school and we received a lovely letter back. The book arrived just before assembly so the stories were read out to the entire 630 pupils." Twinkletoes and Chicky Wicky Wikey live in a different time and in a more simple world where magic and adventure are just around the corner.

Margaret’s first book has three stories, The Birthday, The Lost Puppy and The Backward Spell. She said: "I told these stories to children in the reception class and I’m thrilled even now when those children who are now grown up still remember the adventures.

"When I first started teaching I was with the senior school, which I found much easier because the children were older. I was terrified by the infants!

"I guess my storytelling probably did win them over a bit. The parents used to come in and ask where they could buy the books and I had to tell them the stories were just made up.

"I had no idea Eamonn was planning to publish them, it was a complete surprise. I haven’t been well and he wanted to cheer me up. The book looks lovely; the illustrator has done a wonderful job – the characters look exactly as I’d imagined."

Twinkletoes, by Margaret O’Neal, is available to buy from Centini, call 0161 776 4377; or email: eamonn@cent ini.co.uk.