I am lucky enough to have two small great-nephews and an even smaller great-niece, so it was perhaps inevitable that at some point I should try to write some stories for them. It is a delightful alternative to the hard work of 'regular' writing, and wonderful to have a ready-made audience! The stories are mostly inspired by whatever is of interest and importance to the children at the time — a favourite colour (yellow); pirates (of course); their pets or other animals. They are mostly set in their house and the village and countryside where they live. I use words that they have just come across, or that I thought they might like the sound of, and also sometimes little jokes or observations that any listening grown-ups might enjoy too. The childrens’ mum helps me get things right, and vetoes any inappropriate ideas or story-lines.

I asked some local artists to illustrate them for me, and was very pleased and impressed with their work. The pictures here are by Fred Beresford.

The stories weren’t intended for publication, and they don’t follow the ‘rules’ about vocabulary and concepts appropriate to particular ages, connected to the National Curriculum, apparently. I wonder how many of the classic childrens’ books follow such rules?

‘The Magic Boots’ series is about a little boy who is given some yellow boots for Christmas, and who has wonderful adventures while wearing them, involving unicorns, dragons, pirates, mermaids, and sunken treasure. The series could run and run!