Launch of children’s book ‘Ollie Shoots for the Sun’

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Writer Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya (left) with illustrator Danushri Welikala

Ruanna Dias read an excerpt from 'Ollie Shoots for the Sun'

Mental health professional Kusumanjalee Thilakarathna

Writer Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya with her mother Nisha Wickrama Adittiya

‘Ollie Shoots for the Sun’, a children’s book written by Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya and illustrated by Danushri Welikala, was launched on 27 September at the Colombo International Book Fair, which is taking place at BMICH until 6 October. The book, which tells the story of a playful dog with an ambitious goal, is published by Neptune Publications.

The launch brought together young readers, with Esandi Jayawardana sharing her thoughts on ‘Ollie Shoots for the Sun’ and Ruanna Dias reading an excerpt from the book. Aaryan and Rahul Niveathan shared stories about their own pets. Meanwhile, mental health professional Kusumanjalee Thilakarathna spoke about the benefits of having pets and the message conveyed in the book.

In ‘Ollie Shoots for the Sun’, young readers will meet Ollie, a dog who is determined to reach a flowerpot hanging from a tree. When she is told that jumping up and down will soon send her over the Sun, Ollie has a brilliant idea.

In addition to Ollie, a dog with big dreams, the book also introduces characters such as Ginger, a snarky cat, and her son, Kat. The mischievous trio lives with their humans and is visited by Inguru, the neighbourhood smarty-pants.

Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya has been contributing to Sri Lankan newspapers since 2013, although it is with the characters Ollie, Kat, and Ginger, based on her own pets, Ollie, Calvin, and Gingie, that she ventured into creative writing.

Danushri Welikala is a Colombo-based illustrator and graphic designer who has turned her lifelong love for doodling into a career. It was in 2023 that she met Ollie, Kat, and Ginger – three characters who stole her heart.

-Pix by Shehan Gunasekera