- Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.
A1. I am Molly Arbuthnott and I write. I write poems and stories. They convey more than just my observations of life. They are a way I share hopes, dreams, wishes… everything really. I have written hundreds of poems and published twelve picture books. I like to think that three books are the equivalent of one child so technically I have four children!
- What is the inspiration behind your book “Oscar the Ferry Cat”?
A2. We lost our cat on the ferry. I was feeling a bit lost in London myself at the time so decided to write a story conveying a sense of belonging and hope centred around our cat.
- When did you realize you want to be an author?
A3. I don’t and I am not sure I really am. I just find it is an enjoyable way to pass time and it brings amazing people into my life too. It is a way I can observe the world and share and give. I love what I do and feel happy every hour of every day. I used to spend a lot of my life pining to be somewhere I wasn’t. This is not a very healthy way to be and so I can now imagine I am somewhere different sometimes through my stories and teach others about different places too.
- Please tell us something about your book “Oscar the Ferry Cat”?
A4. It is a story about hope, the courage to try new things and always be open to new experiences and adventures and bringing new people into your life. It is easier to write about human experiences in animals because one is not restricted to a human’s way of being; breakfast, work, lunch, tea, bed, marriage, children etc etc. It is very prescribed. Writing humans as animals gives one much more freedom.
- For which age group is your book “Oscar the Ferry Cat” suitable for?
A5. I like to hope that the sign of a good book means that any age can enjoy it so I like to hope it is a book suitable for all age groups.
- What is your favorite Quote?
A6. From my book – “Oscar thought for a while and then said ‘Ok.” Life- “I have that I might give.”
- What do you like the most about your country?
A7. The traditions- the dancing, the food and the multi-cultural environment.
- What suggestion do you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit?
A8. Don’t force it. It will come naturally if it is supposed to. Do not feel you need to progress on from picture books to chapter books in order to be a ‘good reader’ either. So much can be learnt from reading a picture book. I think the reading progression we teach in our Schools is so wrong for this. It encourages children to not really concentrate on what they are reading, just get though it so they can get onto the next book which is so wrong, I think. It is much better to inspire a ‘love of reading’ whatever it is in a young child as this will stand them in very good stead for the future.
- What does literary success look like to you?
A9. Encouraging someone to read a book who maybe wouldn’t otherwise and encouraging a different way of looking at the world.
- Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?
My mother. We have a fairly up and down relationship; we are so similar you see. But she is one of the smartest women I know and she has always encouraged us all to follow our dreams and never give up and not worry too much about what other people think.. just do what is right for you.
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