In an extraordinary achievement that defies his age, a talented 10-year-old from Newcastle has become a published author, launching his first book in what promises to be an educational series for young children.
From School Assignment to Published Work
Wesley Marsh, a Year 4 student at Wallsend South Public School in Rankin Park, has officially entered the literary world with his debut publication Guy Meets Time. The remarkable journey began during last year's NAPLAN preparation when his mother asked him to practice creative writing exercises.
"One day I came up with this clock that travels the world and goes to see different time zones," Wesley explains about his initial inspiration. His father, Glenn Marsh, immediately recognized the potential in his son's creative concept. "Dad thought that was a really good idea and that I should turn it into a book," the young author recalls.
The Magical World of Guy Meets Time
The book targets children aged three to six years old and combines entertainment with education, teaching young readers about time zones, geography, and diverse cultures. The story follows an Australian boy named Guy who encounters Time - personified as an analogue clock with arms and legs - who takes him on global adventures.
Wesley's own international travels to Europe with his family influenced both the content and title, which plays on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). His research process involves careful investigation: "I go onto Google Maps and look at the time zones and just choose a country. I'll Google what's special about time there and what their culture is."
Hands-On Creative Process
What makes Wesley's accomplishment even more impressive is his active involvement throughout the entire publishing process. He worked directly with Vietnamese illustrator Thu Thao Do and his editor, providing feedback and making final decisions on the book's artwork and content.
His father describes Wesley as having an "imaginative mind" and recalls the moment the concept fully formed: "He looked at us and said, 'A clock is always stuck on the wall. It never gets to see the world and the world is basically all about time'. Then he said, 'What if the clock could go around and visit all the places that the clock is telling the time about?'"
The Marsh family expressed being "chuffed" by Wesley's creative vision and dedication to bringing his idea to life.
Expanding the Literary Universe
This first publication is just the beginning of Wesley's ambitious plans. He has already completed manuscripts for two additional books and has three more planned for what will become a comprehensive series.
"Book two is about his family and the UK and all the most famous clocks like Big Ben, Old Joe, Little Ben and the oldest clock, Stonehenge," Wesley reveals about the upcoming installment. The third book takes readers to Spain, where "the problem there is it's like a football match, but the coach's watch goes out of time, so they have to use him as a guide."
Future books will explore Turkey, Finland, and Dubai, continuing the educational adventure theme that makes the series unique.
Balancing Multiple Passions
Beyond his literary pursuits, Wesley maintains an active involvement in other activities. He's a member of Wallsend South Public School's successful sports aerobics team and has a strong interest in drama. Looking ahead, he hopes to attend the Hunter School of Performing Arts when he reaches Year 7.
"I want to do drama," Wesley says of his future aspirations. "I could maybe write books while I'm a movie actor or something." This balanced approach to both academic and creative pursuits demonstrates the well-rounded nature of this exceptional young talent.
Wesley Marsh stands as an inspiration to young Australians, proving that age is no barrier to achieving creative dreams and making meaningful contributions to children's literature.
