Thoughts from Grandpa: Volume 1

I started to write poems for my grandchildren which would be amusing for them to hear, whilst at the same time explain some of the typical things that happen in life as they grew up. My three girls have always been an inspiration to me and to see them grow into responsible, well-balanced individuals with positive outlooks and a strong self-belief is truly rewarding.

The aim of this book was to create a framework for children to visualise the ‘topic’, have fun hearing or reading it, but at the same time be able to understand the moral and environmental stories that they tell. The books will not only entertain children but will become benchmark messages for how they should behave and react to situations. Written in simple language but introducing slightly more complicated words every now and then, the book will help children understand and extend their vocabulary and verbal understanding.

Children think in pictures long before they can read, and these books keep the pictures alive in their heads whilst their learning and development takes place.

My original thinking was to create sixty-second animated films for each topic, which could be shown as ‘interludes’ on children’s TV and as behavioural poems that children could learn from a very early age at nursery and primary schools, where the shaping of behaviour is most influential and most important.

Learning how to behave and understanding the things in life can be fun. I hope you think the same!

Thomas's Tooth

The story unfolds the day before Thomas’s birthday with the crazy antics of the guardian fairies. We go from a simple toothache to multiple visits to the Accident & Emergency department of the hospital. Then to the party the following day, a food fight and strange games with the inevitable happening, more visits to A&E.

Boys will love it and girls will smile at the antics of silly boys!

Now the truth is out, the myth that Christmas tree fairies are tucked away in tinsel each year is blown out of the water. Yes, you think they are nestling in a bed of tinsel in a box in the loft but no, Christmas on the tree is their holiday and their real day jobs are as guardian fairies for little boys and girls. Most are able but unfortunately not all, some are not as competent as they should be, and some are downright incompetent! In Thomas’s Tooth we have a birthday party of injured and plaster-casted boys running amok, and all due to the exceptionally incompetent actions of Thomas’s fairy Erik and his fellow fairies.

This is Monkey

Come and join Monkey on his adventures.

Monkey takes a walk in the forest exploring his surroundings, bounding happily over ponds and through the trees. Next…Monkey decides to bake, but which will it be: fairy cakes, scones or gingerbread?

This book is full of colourful illustrations and fun! Perfect for young readers.

This Is How We Kiss Goodnight

From cheek-to-cheek teddy bear kisses, to fluttering butterfly kisses, Effie and her mummy decide to inspire lots of goodnight kisses before bedtime for everyone to share.

The Magical Creature

What happens when a young girl called Jackie goes on a magical adventure and finds herself lost? Something truly fantastic happens...

Read on to find out in this intriguing and fun-filled story accompanied by charming colourful illustrations.

There’s a Monster in My Tent

Having been awoken early in the morning by some strange noises downstairs, the little girl goes down to investigate. She is alarmed to find a monster sleeping in her tent and flees to her mother to tell her what she had seen.From the fierce growls coming from inside to his wild, hairy arms and legs, she had never come across anything quite so fearsome; nor quite so startling. Although all is not as it first seems.There’s a Monster in My Tent demonstrates a father’s devotion to his little girl as it details the imagination present in the minds of children. It’s as thought-provoking as it is lively and is aimed at educating and delighting in equal measure.

Theo’s Ocean Discovery

Theo, an explorer and treasure collector, discovers that his treasure is not quite what it seems. He learns a valuable lesson and understands how the disposal of plastic in the ocean can be devastating.

The ‘Peanut’ Elephant Company

Páraig De Faoite is an Irish author and Seanachaí, a teller of stories. He has crafted many tales over the years to entertain children or help them to sleep and most of them were created on the spot and only some of them made it into print. This is a rare chance for you to enter this world of fantasy and mystery presented in a unique fashion. His style of writing is extremely unique, such that it has not been seen before. This is also due to his natural and incredible imagination. Each of his stories is beautifully captured by the great skill of the illustrator, who also has an amazing imagination and love for vibrant colours. Here be dragons and trolls and other fey folk to entertain the child within you all. Whether it’s talking flowers, space aliens or a caterpillar with a mind of its own, the common theme in this collection is that of transformation.

The Watermouse Family – Book 2

On Wednesday Daddy usually goes to the woods to collect the fruit for Nan to make the pies for the family shop, but today he is sick. Little Toby wants to help and goes to the woods by himself. While he is there, he learns that friends can come in all shapes and sizes.

The Unsung Hero

When the rest of the world was closing, lots of people were scared. Mums and dads worked from their homes, and children began remote learning too.

But what about the little boys and girls, who weren’t yet ready for school, where did they go? What did they do?

There are lots of special places filled with lots of special people too, that remained open for all the boys and girls who are too little and not yet ready for school. These special places and the unsung heroes that work there kept their rooms filled with lots of fun things to do and worked tirelessly supporting the children and their local communities too.

But just like all the front-line heroes, they also kept our families healthy, our environments clean too, and kept food on the tables, with lots of learning too.

But who are these unsung heroes? This book explores how and why teachers go above and beyond for their boys and girls, every day.

The Unhappy Clownfish

At some point in our lives we may feel unhappy. This happens to everyone; cats, dogs and even fish.

This is the story of a clownfish called Flo. She travelled the ocean to find happiness. She spoke to all the sea life to find out how they stayed happy, to finally realise happiness is at home.

The Underwater Bunch

A series of short stories for young children and self-readers. Do you really know about the sea creatures that live in the sea and oceans? Come and meet The Underwater Bunch and share some of their adventures. Enjoy listening and reading their stories, as well as learning a few fun facts about each sea creature! Meet Ozzie Octopus, who saves the underwater bunch from the fisherman’s net or Lenny Lobster doing his bit to save the ocean from pollution and litter. You can even watch Tilly Turtle and Walter Whale play tennis underwater! Candice Clam finds treasure in the old shipwreck but is frightened by an eerie ghostly figure. Poor Candice Clam! Or you can go to school with Freddie Fish at the Underwater School. But beware of Ms Florence Fish, the school teacher; she is certainly a formidable force to be reckoned with! One look from her quells any misbehaving sea creature to a shivering and shaking mass! Yes… the Underwater Bunch even go to school just like you. Learn how Sammy Sea Lion was rescued by Shamus Shark from a barrage of human litter. He was one lucky little calf. And I suggest you don’t cross Jemina Jellyfish or you may feel her sting! Ouch ouch ouch!