Author Interviews — Real Stories from Real Authors

About forty years ago my wife and I were holidaying in Great Yarmouth with our 4/5 year old son. He had made friends with a small group of children who took shelter in our beach tent during a heavy afternoon shower. The decibels rose to unbearable levels for my wife, trying to read a book,. She pleaded that I try to keep them quiet by telling them a story. So, for the first time, I had to make up a story on the spot. One of the children in the group, the smallest, happened to have ginger hair. I had noticed that he was being picked on by the older members of the 'gang', "go there", "bring this", "do that", "don't do that", etc. He became the story’s hero Jimmy Crikey, the boy who looked different. I needed a spot of magic to entrance the youngsters and so Witch Matilda was born. The story needed monsters and in an underground world there was no shortage of creative opportunities. Jimmy needed a friend and I chose that his companion should be female, to widen the interest factor. And so was born Gemma, the young lady who lived at the bottom of the well. And to add to the mystery she did not know how she came to be there. Out of such beginning grew The Amazing Adventures of Jimmy Crikey and my imagination was allowed to run riot to create a story around them and the errant Weatherman who lost control of his Cloud HQ because he kept falling asleep. The stories did not appear in print for many years and I have just released the sixth (stand alone, complete) fantasy adventure of The Adventures of Jimmy Crikey: Radioactive! https://www.amazon.com/dp/BOCTY9PV6G

My name is Jacqueline Flores, and I’m from the countryside of São Paulo, Brazil. I’ve been working as a web designer for over twenty years. Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved reading and creating my own stories — but only now am I having the opportunity to publish them. I love writing for children because it allows me to connect with my light, sweet, and dreamy side — with my inner child.

I grew up in Toronto, Ontario but have lived in London, Ontario for over 40 years. I used to tell stories at various venues in London. At one, a lady came up to me and told me I should write my stories down. That started my writing career. I wrote my first book THE GREAT BELLYBUTTON COVER-UP and eventually self-published it.

I was born and raised in New Orleans, La. I came into the world with a boundless imagination. As a child, storytelling was second nature—my days were filled with short stories and vivid characters born from my own wonder. But it wasn’t until later in life, when my daughter lovingly challenged me to write a book and offered to illustrate it herself, that I penned my very first children’s story. That moment was a beautiful turning point—a shared creative leap that opened the door to a new chapter in my writing journey.

My name is Tamikio L. Dooley. I'm a multi award-winning author, an educator, and health mentor. I writes children’s books. I'm the author of Never Trust a Frog with a Book, Fat Little Preston, the Mischievous Meerkat, Go Fetch the Food, Theodore, Claire, the Budding Artist, Arnav the Time Travel Boy, Magical Adventure Short Stories, and other children’s books. I'm the founder and president of Empowering Education Skills and Programs Organization collaborating with Humanist of the World Organization, which I'm also the founder and president. I was elected as the Education Development by the Chinmaya Foundation, Awarded the Empowering Voice in Education Award by A Walk with Education, and appointed as the Ambassador of the Global Course Academy GCA, Michigan, USA. Fellow children's book authors inspired me to write first children's book entitled at Little Preston, the Mischievous Meerkat.

Well, I discovered the 12-year-old in me still ''lives'' so that helps and since ''The Hardy Boys'' and ''Nancy Drew'' were some of my favorite mysteries as a kid I figured kids today should have that same opportunity.

I live and breathe the ocean. My whole world in on, in, or around the ocean.

I've always loved writing. I write mainly poetry and short stories. I also work with students and parents and saw that there was a gap in the classroom for engaging poetry that was both age appropriate and culturally inclusive. And that's when the idea for my children's book was birthed - Pineapple Moon and Other Poems for Children

After receiving a Master's Degree in The Science of Learning my natural choice was to apply that knowledge to helping children learn by deploying a new and research method called a Tunnel Book.

I’ve loved stories in rhyme since childhood, especially Thomas the Tank Engine, Winnie the Pooh and Dr Seuss. My grandad recited a humorous soccer poem to me as a boy, and now I enjoy sharing stories in rhyme with my grandchildren. Seeing their eyes light up when I read aloud inspired me to start writing my own books—some faith-based, some just plain fun—to capture those moments for other families too.