This year we had over 600 entries to our children’s story writing
competition in collaboration with Mumsnet and Gransnet. Today we are delighted
to be publishing the ten winning stories in The Mumsnet Book of Animal Stories, a beautifully illustrated gift book by
parents, for parents, chosen by a panel of judges, including Anthony
Browne, Miriam González Durántez, Lucy Mangan and Justine Roberts, CEO of Mumsnet. Three of the winning authors share their experiences with us in an exclusive post for Picture Book Party:
Jo Tiddy,
author of Atuki and Serai
I always wanted a goat. As a child growing up in Africa, I
would stare out of the window on long car journeys and see small totos with their little herds, by the
roadside. That’s what I wanted to be doing, not going to school. I begged and
begged, but Mum was adamant. No way was I going to be a goat girl. In the
intervening years I have moved continents. I have acquired dogs, cats, children
and a husband, not necessarily in that order. I have been a town planner, a
conservation officer, a school dinner lady, and latterly a bookshop worker.
Still no goat though.
The Mumsnet/Walker Books competition was a light bulb moment
for me. I love stories, I love writing them and I love telling them,
particularly to children. There is something magical about holding the
attention of a class of wriggling five years olds for a few moments. Here was
an opportunity to bring my goat to life.
Serai, the goat, is the one I wanted as a child. Atuki, the
girl, is who I wanted to be. Together they have adventures and face danger, and
learn together. Important things, like bravery and courage and kindness. All
children aspire to these virtues, and if a story can help them overcome their
own fears and worries then all the better.
So I wrote a story and sent if off.
When I heard I had been shortlisted I was ecstatic, more so
when I heard I’d made the final ten. Much squeaking ensued. Daisy, my editor,
was most helpful, suggesting places where the story could be tightened up,
explaining how to strengthen the theme and refrain. Martha Anne, the
illustrator, has done a fantastic job of interpreting Atuki and Serai. It’s as
if she’s been delving into my childhood memories, seeing the pictures that I
wrote on the page, picking up the bright fabric and patterns that I recall of
African life and translating them perfectly. Her pictures tell the story
itself.
Thanks to Mumsnet and Walker Books I now have my very own
goat, and I am so thrilled.
Eilidh
Mackay, author of The Winged Lion
When I spotted the
Mumsnet and Walker Books children's story competition online, I was very
excited. After a year of health problems which had left me virtually
housebound, I had recently started writing for fun again. I spent ages
planning, writing and polishing my entry and, when I was finally happy with it,
sent it off.
A couple of days before
the competition's closing date, I was caught up in the usual hectic bedtime
routine with my three young children when an idea popped into my head. I
scribbled down the bare bones of it (while trying to keep my notebook dry as
the kids splashed most of the bathwater over the floor – bad mummy!). Late that
night and into the next day I wrote – then I submitted it.
My second story was
inspired by my oldest daughter, Gabriela, (now aged eight) and her friend Sofia
– in fact, I used their names for the two main characters in The Tale of the
Winged Lion. The girls now live on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean –
Gabriela here in the Outer Hebrides and Sofia in New Jersey, USA. Sofia's mum,
Janine, and I formed a close friendship during the girls' first year when we
both lived in Glasgow and have kept in touch ever since. The story is a magical
fairy tale, with references to the beautiful island where my family have made
our home.
Of course, it was the
second story which made the shortlist, then – wonder of wonders – was one of
the winning ten stories to be published in a beautifully bound anthology of
animal stories. That's right, published! Me! More to the point, my story had
been read by the three respected judges – Lucy Mangan, Miriam González Durántez
and former Children's Laureate Anthony Browne – and they liked it.
I was beyond delighted
when I heard the news that I'd won – as was Gabriela, who was chuffed to bits
that she would feature in a real book (she's such a bookworm!). Then followed
editing, through which I was expertly guided by the (very patient) Daisy from
Walker Books. Daisy made this easy for me, explaining everything as we went
along through various email exchanges. When we were both happy that my story
was the best it could be, we came to my favourite part of the process – seeing The
Tale of the Winged Lion brought to life by Kate Alizadeh's wonderful
illustrations. Kate listened to my ideas, making changes where I asked,
including Gabriela's blonde hair and Sofia's dark locks! Kate's artistic style
really suits my whimsical story – a great pairing from Walker!
So I am about to be a
published author. Christmas is sorted this year – signed copies for all! This
recognition of my writing has energised me and I continue to write for both
children and adults – I'm currently working on a novel set here in the Outer
Hebrides. And as for the other
story I entered – well, there's always work to be done when you're writing!
Susannah O’Brien, author of Captain
Yuri
Last Christmas, I was 15 weeks pregnant and had
spent most of the previous three months feeling queasy whilst running around
after my lovely, lively toddler. When I heard about the competition I
thought it sounded like it might be a fun thing to do, and I wrote the story
over a couple of lunchtimes whilst Felix was napping. I told my husband that if
I won we could use the money to buy a double buggy!
I was thrilled to be shortlisted. I read Lucy
Mangan in The Guardian every
week, and it was very exciting to think that she would now be reading my work.
The news of the win came during a difficult few weeks as we were moving house,
and it was lovely to have a bit of good news amidst the chaos of packing boxes.
Seeing my words put to illustrations was brilliant; It was so interesting to
see how the artist had interpreted my story of the little
hamster astronaut.
I am very excited to see the book published.
I re-read the story recently and was reminded of the fact that I had
given our hero’s gentle and quiet sidekick the name Ted. This is the very name
we have given our new baby. He is quite gentle, he is certainly not quiet, but
he does seem to like his (prize-winning) double buggy!
Be the first to get your hands on a copy of The Mumsnet Book of Animal Stories, available fro all good booksellers.
