An ex-farmer has turned the quirky personality foibles of his former colleagues into a loveable children's book character.

David Evans, 44, has created a series of illustrated short stories featuring Farmer John, an "eccentric" with a passion for the countryside.

The humorous collection also introduces young readers to a series of talking animals, and even machines, such as Myrtle the muck-spreader, who creates havoc one day by spraying everyone with dung.

The book, Thistledown Farm: Farmer John's Boots and Other Stories, may help introduce some children to the basics of rural life. But Mr Evans, who lives in Exeter, said their main purpose was to entertain, and encourage youngsters to read.

The writer was educated at Seale Hayne agricultural college and farmed sheep until he had to give it up because of illness. He said penning stories for children had come naturally, and said: "If you write about something you love, it usually turns out well."

The name John came from a school friend's father, who had a porridge plate with a slogan at the bottom to remind him to carry out a crucial task. It read: "Farmer John, Farmer John, don't delay – phone the AI (artificial insemination) man today!"

His tolerant and understanding wife Wendy is named after a neighbour.

But Mr Evans said Farmer John's quirky and sometimes cantankerous character came from a number of people within the sector whom he has observed over the years. "I have been working on farms all my life. I have got to know all their little eccentricities, and for me, John is very eccentric. All farmers have their own idiosyncrasies and funny little ways."

Among his exploits, Farmer John loses his wellies, and calls in the police to investigate. He takes his sheep to London because they are bored, and forces the Queen to muck out when she visits the farm.

The books are beautifully illustrated by Jake Tebbit, who Mr Evans first came across through his work in Farmers' Weekly and other publications. He has created more than 40 vibrant images for the collection.

Mr Evans was born in Kenya, where his grandparents were pioneers who owned and created a huge maize farm from bush. His parents moved to Devon, to farm at Bratton Clovelly, near Okehampton, when he was a year old. "It was a bit of a culture shock for them," he said.

Mr Evans remembers a childhood spent helping out with chores around the dairy farm, and running around as a "free spirit" on the estate. Later, his love of children won him work as a party conjurer. "I'm a natural young person's writer. I connect with children. I find them entertaining. They have a good world view - they're not sullied or cynical. It's a pleasure to entertain children, and I think I'm quite good at it."

Mr Evans has been writing for the past five years, and is a member of the Exeter Writers group. He says he has enough Farmer John stories for at least two more volumes. After sending to various publishers, and getting positive feedback, but no acceptance, he decided to self-publish with Pen Press. But he hopes a publisher will buy the rights to future volumes.

The book is available in shops and on Amazon, or at www.farmerjohnsboots.co.uk, priced at £5.99.