Author Susana Porras and Illustrator Dan Makin (Photo – Lisa Phelps)
On Sunday, May 17, I attended Vroman’s Bookstore book talk and had the pleasure of listening to Susana Porras discuss her first children’s book, Danny’s Trails: Mossley, England, illustrated by Dan Makin. Susana, a Pasadena native, and Dan, from Mossley, England, first met in 2015 on a flight from London to Los Angeles. They quickly became friends and have even traveled together.
By Lisa Phelps
In 2017, at the age of 29, Danny suffered a stroke that left him with life-altering disabilities. Once an active runner, he had to relearn how to walk and talk. He demonstrated a strong and determined spirit throughout his recovery. The six-mile trail he once ran became a place where he slowly regained his strength through walking. During the COVID lockdown, while spending extended time indoors, he discovered a creative talent for drawing.
During the same period, Susana also discovered her creative side and wrote her first book, To Compostela and Beyond!: A Poet’s Chronicle of the Camino de Santiago.
In Danny’s Trails, Susana writes a fictional story about a young, adventurous boy who embarks on a six-mile journey around his home in Mossley, England, to the Uppermill Viaduct. Along the way, he records what he sees in a sketchbook using colored pencils. Dan Makin’s lovely illustrations bring these points of interest to life, showing the places young Danny encounters on his journey.
I loved the book and its illustrations. It is a beautiful story for children and adults alike, celebrating the simple ways one can find adventure without traveling far. The real-life story behind the book—Danny Makin’s resilience and the friendship between Susana and Dan—is both beautiful and inspiring.
Lisa Phelps is a proud mom of two PUSD graduates and a Madison pre-K assistant. In her spare time she likes to read and garden.
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