THE fifth book in the Cornwall Book Project, which encourages children with dyspraxia and dyslexic difficulties to write their own book, was launched as part of a year 6 assembly last week at Delaware Community Primary School.

When pupil Oliver Marks, who has some dyspraxia — also known as DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder) — and dyslexic difficulties, found that some books suitable for his reading ability did not hold any real interest for him, he decided to do something about it and write his own book.

Oliver has been working incredibly hard with members of staff at Delaware School, his family and with Jane Trapmore from Cornwall Dyslexia Service to create his book about mining in the area.

Oliver has experienced some dyspraxia and dyslexic difficulties in the past but has been working hard at school to overcome them.

He has an interest in all things historical and a specific interest in mining in the area — there is an adit very close to where he lives.

He spent time with his father creating a scrapbook of information about local mining and also attended a two day tourism event with Cornish Mining World Heritage, collecting and researching for the book.

He has had an integral part in making the decisions about what items to include, collecting information and then writing it up for the book in his own style and with a sense of humour.

Oliver said: 'Although I still couldn't spell or catch a ball well, at least I got to spend some time with Jane and Anna who worked very hard to make this very wonderful book a reality.

'Without them, and my dad, that would not have been the case. Please enjoy it.'

Oliver's father Rob said: 'Oliver was a smart lad who couldn't read very well and couldn't write. He didn't believe in himself and that made me very sad.

'He used to get angry with his friends when they questioned why he couldn't do as well as them at school. He questioned himself when he knew they could do more than him.

'Jane and the team have taken the Horrible Histories enthusiasm and combined it with the wonderful support of the World Heritage Site people and produced a work of such wonderful collaboration and inspiration that you are getting a pretty good insight into 300 years of Cornish legend.'

Copies of the book are available from the school on 01822 832550.