A Stoke-on-Trent author is set to officially launch his first children's book following a successful Kickstarter campaign. 

Last year Stoke-on-Trent-based Matthew Massey launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to publish his rhyming book What? No Cheesecake?! 

After raising £812, exceeding the £650 target, the book will be officially launched on World Book Day (Thursday 5 March). 

Matthew said: "It was absolutely fantastic. I think in the first three days, we got 50 per cent so we were ecstatic.  

"Then it was a bit of a slow climb to hit that target but about halfway through, we hit it and it peaked.  

"After that it was just a matter of hoping that we stayed there and that everything went through in the end. So, when it did all go through, I think the best thing to call it was relief." 

The father of three, teamed up with artist Tom Poyner, based in Stafford, to illustrate the story of a cheesecake-loving Giraffe who sets out on his birthday to find his favourite treat but everywhere is sold out. 

The first 75 books were distributed to the Kickstarter contributors in time for Christmas. 

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At least 35 of these were donated to schools, nurseries, libraries and one was donated to a children's hospital ward. 

At least 35 of the first 75 printed copies were donated to schools, libraries andchildren's wards (image via Matthew Massey)

Matthew said: "Having the culmination of about six months' work, in one final book in my hands was brilliant." 

He also explained that his children, particularly his youngest son, aged five, were equally excited to see their bedtime story come to life in print. 

Matthew added: "They all loved it, especially my youngest who was very excited to sit down and read it. 

"I'll be going into his school and his class to do a reading of it and he's very excited for that. He very much knows that he had input into the story and he's not shy about telling people. 

"Even when I was talking to his head teacher, he told her 'I wrote this story as well, you know'."  

 To mark the official launch, Matthew will be delivering talks and readings of What? No Cheesecake?! in schools across the local area including Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Eccleshall. 

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What? No Cheesecake?! will be available to buy from Thursday 5 March online and in shops. 

Matthew added: "If people do want the book, I would encourage them to go to a local independent shop if they can and see if they can order it in. 

"I am all for supporting local creatives and local businesses in and around the city." 

To find out more about the creators of the book and to follow their future projects, follow author Matthew on Instagram here and artist Tom on Instagram here.