Singer and illustrator signs book and sings carols in festive celebration

A young illustrator and chorister from Sidmouth took part in a book signing and carol singing at Otter Garden Centre.

James Mason-Carney hit the headlines last year for illustrating a book, which was published to great reviews.

James, aged 13, is a boarding pupil at Downside Senior School in Somerset.

His mother, Julie, credits Exeter Cathedral School in training James so well that he was able to gain a singing scholarship to the school.

"We want to thank the Cathedral School in being so generous in giving James his musical education." Julie added.

His experiences of being a chorister at Exeter cathedral was the inspiration behind the book, which his mother wrote and he illustrated. It is entitled 'Tiggs and The Midnight Choir.'

"I had been going through quite a lot of illnesses. We were at Exeter Cathedral and mum thought, wouldn't it be great to write a story about this. So we did!" James said.

"The cathedral has this very ghostly air to it. And I thought, wouldn't it be amazing if people never leave? So that is what the book is about: a ghost choir, who sing at midnight." Julie added.

James said the project was an excellent distraction during the lockdowns and when recovering from his illnesses: "Most of the illustrations were done during lockdown, so it kept us busy.

"When I started losing my hair with alopecia, it was great to take my mind off that."

As well as illustrating a book, James and his family are also recording a CD of him singing: "We hope the CD will be out some time after Christmas. We're still working on recording it at school." James said.

James and Julie are hoping that the book and the CD will help raise funds for The Exeter Cathedral School and James' current school.

This Christmas is the first Christmas day where James is going to be at home with his family, as he is usually singing in the Exeter Cathedral choir.

Julie said: "Being a chorister is a lovely way of life. Busy, but very rewarding."

"It will be a nice, homely Christmas, the first time we've had Christmas dinner at home."

Asked whether they would like to write a second book, James replied: "We hope so. We've been given a few ideas!"