Growing up in Cornwall meant that I was never far from the sea, the woods or the rolling hills. Despite a lack of penguins, it was not difficult to be inspired by the world around me. I soon began to write short stories and poetry which I recited to my extensive loyal fanbase (my parents).
Eventually, after many years of singing, travelling and penguin-spotting, I fulfilled a lifelong dream to write my first novel, The Squirrels of Settledown Forest. Now, as a father to a gorgeous little girl, I have every reason to write many more books. She is, of course, my greatest influence of all. And guess what? She likes penguins.
Keeping them on the right path are their parents Victoria and Richmond as well as a company of colourful characters like Ignacius T Weasel (a fast-talking apple farmer), Izzy the Hedgehog (who has a phobia of almost anything) and Pablo the Peacock (a flamboyant artist).
“With a cast of curious, charming squirrels, talking fruit, illusive space monsters, grumpy aunts and much much more, this is a whirlwind book full of fun and laughter and plenty of twists in the tale (or should that be ‘tail’?)”.
Clare Helen Welsh, award-winning author of the ‘Lenny the Lemur’ series