A FORMER pupil of Winsley Primary School is going back to the classroom on Monday, July 19, to read her debut award-winning book to the children.

Mila Coxon has just tied for the gold award for the Best Children's Picture Book (Under 7), at the IPPY International Publisher Book Awards in New York.

Mila,13, who lives near Winsley and is Year 8 pupil at the Royal High School in Bath, won it for her picture book, A Tale For A Sleepy Bunny, illustrated by Karen Bentley.

Kelly Bottomley, of Winsley Primary School, said: "Mila has kindly agreed to come to the school on Monday, July 19 to read her book to the younger children and show them her gold medal."

Written by Mila when she was nine, it tells the story of a little rabbit who takes advice from her animal friends on how to get warm and snuggly to fall asleep.

The book was created in memory of Mila's little bunny Mumbles and was originally penned for her young cousin, Cassius Boon, who lives in Lincolnshire.

When Mila was in Year 4 at Winsley Primary School, the class was given a project to write a story book for children coming into the reception class and she won a prize for the best book.

“I loved writing the book for the little ones,” said Mila.“I visited my Aunty during the summer holidays and my cousin couldn’t get to sleep, so I was inspired to write another story, which is how A Tale For A Sleepy Bunny happened. I can’t believe I have won this award!”

The 32-page rhyming picture book is designed to help little ones relax and fall asleep at bed or nap time, and was published last September.

It can be bought online at From You To Me and Amazon, as well as from gift and bookshops and book publishers Blackwell's.

The IPPY Awards reward those who exhibit the courage, innovation, and creativity to bring about change in the world of publishing.