Book: Grandma Saved A Bumble Bee
Q1. Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.
My name is Martin, I am a secondary school teacher, Governor of an SEN school, Chairman of a National Charity and now a published Author/Illustrator from Cheshire, England.
Q2. What is your inspiration behind your book “Grandma Saved A Bumble Bee”?
It’s based on a real story. Back in the summer of 2020, when we were allowed to have a visitor during the Covid19 lockdown, my mum came to visit. We all sat in the garden chatting away when this bumble dropped in front of us. So this book tells the story of how my mum brought the bumble bee to life. The kids were shouting “Grandma saved a bumble bee” and I made up a little rhyme on the spot and they liked it and told me to publish it. So here we are!
Q3. When did you realize you want to be an author of Children’s Book?
I’ve wanted to write a book for a long time but didn’t know to write about and I didn’t have the confidence to write. My creativity came in the way of making up stories but not writing them down. In 2014 I had this idea for a book and starting to make notes. Eventually it was typed up and I kept adding to it. Then I stopped as my creativity dried up. Then the bumble bee, affectionately known as Barry, entered our lives and I shifted from a novel to a picture book and I’ve been enjoying that much more.
Q4. Are you planning to release your next book soon?
Yes, I have two more planned for Christmas. One with Grandma again and one with a new main character, Grandad. Then I have a couple more ready for next year if these become popular.
Q5. For which age group your books are suitable?
It’s tailored for 0–6-year-olds but children as old as 10 have enjoyed it too. Two of my children have additional needs so I illustrate in a way that is simple with bold colours so that even they can see the images and read the text. That’s become popular and my style seems to be enjoyed by my targetted age range.
Q6. What is your favorite Quote?
I have a two quotes that stick me with.
“Stay faithful to the stories in your head” by Paula Hawkins, author of Into the Water.
“Success in not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage the continue that counts” by Winston S. Churchill.
Q7. What do you like the most about your country?
My family. I’ve been fortunate enough to work and live in many countries. Parts of Europe, Russia, USA, Nicaragua for example. But whenever I’ve come home I feel more complete when I have my family around me. Plus, I am a big Everton FC fan, so being able to get to the games is important to me.
Q8. What suggestion you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit?
Research shows us that reading to and with young children develops intelligent and creative thought, a love of learning and increased literacy. Reading to little ones helps create a bond between parent/carers and their child. It’s lovely to curl up with your little one on your knee with a book and read and explore the pages with them. They do grow up and those moments become less frequent until they’re eventually gone and you will miss doing, or regret not doing, those daily reading moments.
Q9. What does literary success look like to you?
Success for me is that every child, no matter what country they live in or how much money they have, can read and enjoy stories. The feeling of holding and reading a paper version of a book sets of a different type of hormone than reading a book on a tablet, but they can both lead to a happier child. I love creativity and imagination and I think it is ok to dream about an alternative reality, I think it’s ok to live in an alternative reality. Good literacy can lead to all that and that then opens up the opportunity to be more successful at school and in life.
Q10. Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?
I enjoy the work, and the backgrounds of; Julia Donaldson and J.K. Rowling. I admire their determination to get their stories read and out there. I appreciate their honesty and charitable nature. Knowing these people started with just an idea, a spark of creativity, and have been able to become recognisable people and millions enjoy their writing, inspires me.
Book Is Available On Amazon
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