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An Arran truck driver, who has written children’s books based on his own work experiences, is on the verge of making his characters national icons after meeting with the BBC.
Willie Hamilton released the first Juggernaut John book at the end of last summer and, since then, has almost sold out of the first print run.
The Arran Haulage driver’s books are based on the adventures of main character, Juggernaut John, a cartoon-style truck, and the Whoosh Wheels Gang.
And after meeting with both BBC Worldwide and Keith Chapman, the writer behind the Bob the Builder phenomenon, Willie believes he is on the verge of creating a new children’s hero. Willie said: ‘In my line of work, most drivers have nicknames and Juggernaut John is quite a common one.
‘I also heard of a guy called Rascal, another character in the Whoosh Wheels Gang. I thought they would make great names for characters in a children’s book.
‘I have already written lots of the stories and the BBC Worldwide was interested in 52 10-minute episodes.’
Willie has been writing songs and poems in his spare time since he was a teenager but began writing stories for his children - John, Meredith and Harris - when he started working away from home.
Willie has joined forces with illustrator Garry Thorburn on the Juggernaut John project and formed Thor Hammer Productions. ‘I didn’t expect the books to sell as well as they have done,’ said Willie. ‘I produced them initially to raise money for the CLIC Sargent cancer charity – and I think we could maybe give them a big donation in the future too.
‘Our goal now though is to be like Aardman Productions and build up a series of characters and stories. There could even be a theme park somewhere. I know some people will say that it’s pie in the sky but Keith Chapman is already working on two new projects following the success of Bob the Builder.’
Willie says he is down to his ‘last few boxes’ of Juggernaut John books on Arran.
