Richard Dabinett's latest effort, Shaboo - The Runaway Elephant, was released for sale last week.

The cover and illustrations are by Andrew Story, the son of a Blacktown-based lawyer.

Mr Dabinett's first book, A Day's Fishing with Pop, released in February, sold 1300 copies.

Mr Dabinett, 66, said the books would make a ideal Christmas present for children up to 10 years.

Apart from writing children's books, he is a volunteer for the St Vincent de Paul Society in Blacktown.

Mr Dabinett spends about four hours a day writing his books.

He learned to read and write in a literacy course at Blacktown TAFE College in 2004. ``My teachers encouraged me to write children's books after reading my essays,'' he said.

``They found my writing based on make-believe experience very interesting, saying it would make great reading for young children.''

Mr Dabinett said he had completed about a dozen children's books and that they would be published after the illustrations were finished.

``My next book is called The Adventures of Harley - the Hairy-Nose Wombat.

``It took me about two weeks to complete this book. I was inspired by my granddaughters, Chantel, who is 2, and Caitlyn, 6, who often ask me to tell them stories.''

Mr Dabinett is donating 50c from each book sold to a children's charity.

The two books are on sale at Book Haven at Centro Seven Hills and at Angus & Robertson at Westpoint Blacktown

shopping centre, or by calling Mr Dabinett on 0438200898 or 96226088.