Belfast Author & Local Artist Launch 'Operation Hot Chocolate'

Alongside his evenings spent marking classroom books, Belfast primary school teacher Joe Richardson has been busy writing them. The award-winning children's author is celebrating the release of his fourth novel, Operation Hot Chocolate, a festive mystery packed with humour, adventure, and plenty of seasonal chaos.

For his latest project, Joe has once again partnered with North Belfast illustrator Roisin Bradley, who has brought his characters to life over the past four years. Her distinctive style and attention to detail feature throughout the book. Together, the pair carefully selected scenes to illustrate and prioritised accessibility for every child, opting for an off-white page colour alongside dyslexia-friendly fonts, sizing, and spacing.

Joe’s latest release follows his acclaimed Animal in Amy series, which picked up a silver medal at the Wishing Shelf Book Awards and reached the finals of the CAP Irish Author Awards for two years running. The inspiration for Operation Hot Chocolate stemmed from Joe's daily classroom interactions and a love for classic adventure stories, reflecting how children can turn the smallest local mystery into a major quest.

Aimed at readers aged 8 to 12, the story centres on ten-year-old best friends Johnny O’Neill and Declan Cunningham. While the boys usually contend with family chaos and everyday school embarrassments, things take a dramatic turn when a strange 'Winter Warmers' hot chocolate van rolls into their estate. Driven by Aaron—a six-foot-tall elf sporting sideburns, a quick temper, and erratic driving—the boys become convinced they have stumbled upon a criminal mastermind turning neighbourhood children into cats and swiping Christmas presents. What follows is a spirited undercover operation led by the determined duo.

Beyond the page, Joe regularly tours schools across Northern Ireland, delivering interactive workshops and assemblies that encourage positive mental health and a lifelong passion for reading. He is set to embark on his 'Tuesdays Tour' throughout January, February, and March 2027, with select dates still open for bookings.

With readers across the UK and Ireland already enjoying his work, Joe hopes the new release will show young people that books can be just as thrilling as films and video games. Copies and further information can be found at www.theanimalinamy.com.