I was born in Manchester, United Kingdom, as one of five siblings. From an early age, I loved pretending to be a teacher and always said I’d be one someday! When I was four, my mother bought me a small writing desk. I would draw houses and trees and colour pictures all day long. I adored my desk so much that I would even eat dinner on it! As a young girl, I enjoyed the outdoors, climbing trees, running, and playing in my local park with my siblings and friends.

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We moved to the south of England during my primary school years. I fondly remember my late brother fishing for eels, hunting rabbits with his ferrets, and bird watching. He loved to draw crows in his art book, and I was amazed by the intricate details and lifelike features he captured. My first book in the series "A Courageous, Clever Crow: Be Different!" is dedicated to him.

 

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In my early twenties, I embarked on an adventure and moved to Spain. I learnt a new culture, and language and began teaching English one to one.  Fast forward more than 20 years and Spain became my home, I met my wonderfully supportive husband and had four fantastic children. One of my greatest joys when they were growing up was reading bedtime stories, especially the Harry Potter series, which we went through three times! Those moments, with me in an armchair, acting out the characters with different voices, and them sitting around, letting their imagination run wild, became our special time together. I believe reading aloud to children is the first step in building a reading culture and fostering a lifelong love of books.

 

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Eventually, one of my childhood dreams came true: I became a primary school teacher, specialising in KS2. I've been teaching for over fifteen years now, and it's been the most fulfilling job I have ever had, despite its challenges. When I enter the classroom, I always say, "Now, I'm in MY paradise!” I love being with children and watching them learn – seeing the light bulb switch on in my pupils' minds makes my day. While I enjoy teaching all subjects, my favourite time of day is story time. At the beginning of each term, I always start with a Roald Dahl book, often “The Twits”. I then let the pupils choose our next book as a class, and they usually want to read through his collection before moving on to other authors. In my opinion, reading aloud to children should be a top priority in the classroom. It's a great way to instil a genuine love of reading and encourage reluctant readers to pick up a book.

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I've always been passionate about cultivating a lifelong love of reading in young children. Another dream of mine was to write stories for children, blending educational facts with a touch of humour and drama. Writing "A Courageous, Clever Crow: Be Nice!" has been a joyful and exciting journey. Through this story, I aim to promote empathy by highlighting the importance of kindness and friendship. With a character like the Courageous, Clever Crow, who embodies bravery and compassion, children can learn from an inspiring role model. He uses his wit, bold nature, and understanding to resolve disputes in the forest or by the lake. My hope is that the storyline will resonate with young children, helping them connect with their own emotions and find ways to resolve conflicts in their lives.

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Currently, I am in the process of mind-mapping my next book in the series. I love adventure, humour, and education, so I’m excited to see what the next book will bring! And so, my next journey in life begins or rather I should now say, continues…

 

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