Q1 Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.
A1) We are a couple from the southwest. We have 4 children and 7 pets. We enjoy the countryside with all of the different farm and wild animals. Learning new things and reading all different kinds of books is always fun for us, although I prefer educational literature while Rosie prefers horror mainly, which I tend to stay away from! She loved teaching our children to read with the Biff & Chip collection, we both remember them keenly from school.
Q2 What is your inspiration behind your book “The Magical Adventures of Diesel The Husky”?
A2. One day about a year ago, Diesel had been unwell and not himself at all, and Rosie was beside herself. Luckily, he was fine after a trip to the vets, but it did dawn on me that one day, when we do say goodbye to him, that is it. So we decided to breed him, and now we have his little girl, Deja. So we always have his line with us. But as you can imagine, even though you have his line, it’s still not the same. So I decided to try and immortalise in his own special way, something that shows Rosie he will always be there to comfort her, in his cartoon form having the most incredible adventures.
Q3 When did you realize you want to be an author?
A3. I don’t think we knew until we was! When we was deciding how we was going to lay the story out, we loved the idea that they should be for our children. So that we could share the memories with them and Diesel while they was still young. It was them who told us to try and get them published. We have had so much fun working together, creating the illustrations, new stories and adding our other pets as the books go on, that we couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
Q4 Please tell us something about your book “The Magical Adventures of Diesel The Husky”?
A4. The first book starts with Diesel, a Siberian husky who just loves to run. He comes across a crystal that gives him Magical powers, such as super speed. Throughout the series he discovers more, but for now he is just enjoying being the fastest Husky in the world! He quickly realises that he can help others in need. In reality is the most adoring, gentle little soul, so it was important to us that his character was just as compassionate on the page.
Q5 For which age group is your book “The Magical Adventures of Diesel The Husky” suitable for?
A5. They are perfect for new readers. We couldn’t give a precise age, as you may know I (Perry) have dyslexia so people can learn to read at any age. Reading my daughters bedtime stories was something I wasn’t able to do until Rosie came along, so from my point of view all ages. And honestly we have had so many parents reach out and say how much they have loved story time with their children reading Diesel’s story. Especially when they see his photo on the back.
Q6 What is your favorite Quote?
A6. That would be Steve Irwin, “I believe that education is all about being excited about something. Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push and educational message.” But then you do have Robin Williams, “No matter what people tell you, words an ideas change the world.”
Q7 What do you like the most about your country?
A7 Everywhere you go has its ups and downs, good and bad. The nature is beautiful, I’m not sure people appreciate the simplicity of the country. We have some stunning areas of natural beauty.
Q8 What suggestion do you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit?
A8. Kids love to read the same books repeatedly. This is a blessing, as the books become more familiar, have your child read it with you, then to you. Them memorising a short story, will teach them to recognise certain words before they go to school. It’s a beautiful technique. Our son could read fluently by the age of 5, his little face when he recognised words in new books was so adorable, and his younger sister was the same, and would always ask for his help. Short stories they can memorise will do phenomenal things for your child’s reading journey.
Q9 What does literary success look like to you?
A9. Knowing that you have made even just a handful of people happy. We have had some lovely photos sent to us on Diesel’s Instagram, and just seeing that he has made so many people smile is so heart-warming. Its priceless.
Q10 Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?
A10 Perry: I have a few, Sylvester Stallone, from Rocky to Rambo. He is still so humble and one of my all time heroes.
Ricky Gervais, not just his comedy, but how he is with animals is exactly what this world needs. Rosie introduced me to his shows and stand up. And as a family animals mean so much to us, and we feel that they aren’t as protected and cared for as they need to be. And being such a huge name, he brings hope that people will start to feel and think more like he does. He’s just incredible.
Rosie: That’s a tough one! I agree with Perry! But I would have to say Rik Mayall. From a child I absolutely loved him, still do. Even if things were really dark, Rik’s films and shows never failed to make me laugh! I’ve always tried to keep that in mind. When people are at what feels like their lowest, I try to make them laugh somehow. Like he did for me, in the most simplified, beautiful ways. We lost a true genius there.
Buy The Magical Adventures of Diesel The Husky on Amazon
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