Sheffield's Olympic golden girl Jessica Ennis-Hill relaunches career as a children's author

She was the queen of track and field.
Jessica Ennis-Hill with her character Evie.Jessica Ennis-Hill with her character Evie.
Jessica Ennis-Hill with her character Evie.

And now Olympics golden girl Jessica Ennis-Hill is putting down the javelin and picking up her pen as she embarks on a new career as a children's author.

The 31-year-old, who won heptathlon gold at the 2012 London Olympics, retired last year and has since signed a seven book deal with Hodder Children's Books.

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The first in the series, called 'Evie's Magic Bracelet: The Silver Unicorn' follows the story of a little girl who goes on a series of adventures which includes an encounter with a unicorn after receiving a magical bracelet from her grandmother Iris in Jamaica. She is co-writing the series with children’s author Elen Caldecott.

The mum-of-one, who lives in Millhouses, will be reading from the book and signing copies at Waterstones in Orchard Square, Sheffield city centre, on Saturday, March 11, at 10am.

Jessica said the story is inspired by many of the adventures she had herself as a youngster.

She added: “I have so many great memories of being a little girl. My friends and I spent lots of time exploring and having adventures where my imagination used to run riot.

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"It has been so much fun working with Elen to go back to that world of stories and imagination and share it with readers.

"I very much hope that the books will inspire and encourage them to look for the magic in everyday life.”

Following the publication of the first book, three further titles will be released later this year and the final three in 2018.

Along with the new book deal, Jessica has also become an ambassador for World Book Day.

Hodder Children’s Books has also published titles by fellow British athletics Olympic champion Mo Farah.

The book is available priced at £5.99.