Like any grandparent, Diocese of Leeds Permanent Deacon Keith Ballard told his two grandchildren bedtime stories. One of their favourites was The Bear with a Sore Throat – and now the charming tale has been illustrated by publishers Austin Macauley and is available to delight 3 to 6 year old children across the UK and USA!

Dcn Keith is a former Catholic Chaplain to Huddersfield University and was one of two Permanent Deacons in Holy Redeemer Parish. He and his wife Angela moved from Huddersfield to Merseyside to help their daughter with grandchildren Clara and Laurie. The children have not only inspired this story – but Keith is now writing another book, this time with a Laudato Si’ theme of what young children can do to encourage plant, animal and insect life in the garden!

The Bear With A Sore Throat Keith Ballard Austin Macauley Publishers Limited, 2023 – 30 pages Clara enjoyed visiting her grandparent’s house, but she could not have foreseen what was to happen following a knock on the door by the local policeman. The news he brought would lead her on a bear hunt and Clara would have to think fast if she was to help everyone to stay calm and make a new friend. « Less