A Chester children's author has won a special award out in America, for one of her latest books.

Saloni Surah clinched the US Purple Dragonfly Book Award in the chapter book category for her publication ‘Flora Investigates: The Case of the Missing Gold Eggs’.

The book about Flora, follows her on her search for a gold egg-laying chicken, and it made its debut in July 2023.

Notably, this isn't the first recognition for Ms Surah's creation.

Since launching, the book has had multiple nominations for several book awards.

In February 2024, the book received the Midwest Book Review, a highly influential group among American publishers, 'Children's Bookwatch'.

While juggling her PhD work, Ms Surah discovered her passion for writing.

She has said: "I began writing while working on my PhD. I have worked with people from all over the world and seen first hand the effects of poverty and illiteracy.

"This spoke to me and moved me to start writing.

"While working on my PhD, I found the time to manage some creative space to express myself apart from the largely scientific writing necessary for my degree.

"A gold egg laying chicken has gone missing and Flora has to find out who stole her and why.

"It's a fun book with gold eggs and a flying boat, but it has heart because it's a book about a girl who has a dream and doesn't give up."