Local Author Donates Books on Belonging and Identity to Former Somerset Schools

Toronto/Somerset, UK – 2 June 2025

Alexander Paul Burton, an author originally from Somerset, has donated a total of 60 copies of his fantasy novel The Hollow Vale—along with illustrated short stories and a themed dictionary—to both Catcott Primary School and Westover Green Community School, where he was once a pupil.

The donated materials are aimed at upper Key Stage 2 readers, with language and content accessible for ages similar to The Hobbit. The short stories provide gentler entry points for younger or less confident readers, and the accompanying dictionary helps students engage with the world-building and themes in a supportive way.

The Hollow Vale is a fantasy novel that deals with migration, identity, and belonging through an imaginative lens. While set in a fictional world, it reflects real emotional experiences—such as the search for self and community—that many young people face today.

“I wish I’d had books like this growing up—stories that talked honestly about belonging,” said Burton. “My dad was Swiss-Canadian, and although I was born here in the UK, I now live in Toronto. Living abroad has helped me understand what it’s like to start again in a new place, and how deeply you can miss where you came from. That’s something I hope these books help students explore in their own way.”

The donation is part of Burton’s wider effort to encourage inclusive storytelling in classrooms and make space for conversations around identity, difference, and acceptance at an early age.