Alina Saves The Moon

Gas tower inspires children's story

One morning Alina wakes up to find that the Moon has got stuck in the gas tower. If he doesn't get to bed soon, how will he be able to wake up when it gets dark?

Alina hurries to launch her toy helicopter.

Can she and her sister Tamar rescue the Moon before it's too late?

Alina Saves The Moon is a picture book about two children who live in Newtown, Reading, close beside the last gas tower. Illustrated by a local artist, there are sweeping views of the gas tower, the Victorian primary school and the river, as the children fly across Reading's urban landscape to save the Moon from his imprisonment in the tower.

About the authors

Mary Chambers is a self-employed proofreader, writer and mother of two. She lives in Newtown, Reading, in the house featured in the story.

Alina Chambers is a 3 year old bundle of fun who has some great ideas. One morning she looked out of the window and saw that the moon was "stuck" in the gas tower. "We must rescue him!" she exclaimed. "I'll just get my helicopter." And so the story began.

About the artist

Leslee Barron is a Reading-based digital artist whose work is inspired by the gas tower and the local landscape.

More works by Leslee can be viewed here.

A proportion of the profits from Alina Saves The Moon will go to Reading Refugee Support Group, who work to improve the lives of refugees and asylum seekers in Reading and Berkshire.

RRSG supports hundreds of refugees from more than 50 countries, who have escaped war, famine, persecution, environmental catastrophe and modern slavery. Many clients have been victims of human trafficking and have no recourse to public funds. RRSG works to improve the quality of lives of Refugees and Asylum Seekers by offering a safe space; social activities; Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) certified advice; practical support; and help in accessing education and employment.