Cork's Late Late Toy Show star Adam King launches first book

Cork ten-year-old Adam King yesterday launched his first book, Farron's Adventure, at an event in Waterford.

Adam first appeared on The Late Late Toy Show, stealing the nation’s hearts with his virtual hug that he drew for his teacher and his medical team as they kept their distance during the pandemic while supporting him in his education and managing his brittle bone condition, osteogenesis imperfecta type III.  

Last year his 'Virtual Hug' collection of Christmas cards was a best seller, generating a significant donation for the Irish Wheelchair Association and the proceeds of his new book will be donated to the Junior for Junior charity.

The illustrated storybook sees Adam’s mischievous Viking elf ‘Farron’ traversing through Ireland’s oldest city, Waterford, during one of Adam’s favourite festivals, ‘Winterval’. 

The book is a tale of an epic adventure featuring a friendly elf who is filled with sheer determination and joyous optimism as the ‘saving’ of Christmas sits firmly on his shoulders.

Adam, who lives a very active life enjoying tennis, javelin, shot-putt, arts and crafts and more, somehow managed to find the time over St Patrick's weekend and during his summer holidays to get into full festive mode and dream up the adventures of the Viking elf. 

Adam spoke about the Junior for Junior charity at the book launch on Saturday. 

“I’m delighted to launch my first book and help the charity. 

“I remember one time I hurt my leg and I was in the hospital, while I was waiting a lady brought in blocks that I could use to make houses and they were really fun and they took my mind off of maybe having to get surgery.” 

Farron’s Adventure is illustrated by Dave Duffy and was designed and printed in Waterford by Tramore Print, ensuring a guaranteed Irish storybook for children this Christmas. 

The book is published by the Winterval Festival, with proceeds from book sales going to the voluntary charity Junior for Juniors, whose mission is to bring comfort and solace to young patients in the paediatric wards of University Hospital Waterford.

Farron’s Adventure is now available to purchase online at www.thebookcentre.ie and at The Winterval Gingerbread House from November 15.

The book is being released just one week ahead of the 12th annual Winterval Festival, which is set to kick off in Waterford next weekend. 

Waterford is celebrating its designation as the European City of Christmas and the festival will host the biggest programme of events yet with over 50 events. See www.winterval.ie for more.