Meet Elaine

WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

I was born in the Royal London Hospital, within the sound of Bow Bells which makes me a ‘Cockney gal’! 

HAVE YOU A FAVOURITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY?

We lived in the East End of London in a tall house with a large garden; I loved to climb all the way to the top of an old Elm tree in one corner of the garden. My imagination ran riot as I imagined I could see foreign lands and created stories in my head. 

HAVE YOU ALWAYS LOVED DOGS?

My family has always had Retrievers or Labradors since I was tiny, beginning with ‘Recky’ the Golden Labrador; I am sure I don’t have to tell you why he was called ‘Recky’!

Now my daughter Abi has Charlie and Jasper, two very different, but both very loveable Goldendoodles!

WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A WRITER?

Short answer: I’ve always wanted to be a children’s story writer but it has taken me until now to live out that dream.

Long answer: I have always loved words and wanted to write since I was very young, hence the stories at the top of the tree. I decided to become a teacher and then I also became Mum to four girls; it was a hectic life.  I still used my passion for stories and books, in the classroom and at home, to inspire children to love the adventure of reading.

When I had granddaughters and retired from teaching, I decided it was time to follow my dream and become a children’s writer.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO APART FROM WRITING AND READING?

I love going out for a walk or cycle in the countryside or beside the sea. I like knitting and being creative in other ways. I enjoy adventure and I love travelling and learning about other cultures too.

WHICH CHILDREN’S BOOKS DO YOU LIKE NOW?

My favourite series is Hairy McClary from Donaldson’s Dairy by Lynley Dodd and any Julia Donaldson book. 

WHICH WERE YOUR FAVOURITE BOOKS AS A CHILD?

I enjoyed The Famous Five books by Enid Blyton, Little Women by Louisa M. Alcott, and C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series. I remember my Mum telling me she had called me several times for a meal before I was able to pull myself out of my book to hear her. My family still tell me that if I’m reading a book or writing I don’t hear what is going on around me!!

WHAT ARE YOUR MOST RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS?

Writing the Charlie Farley picture book series, and now Read Alone Chapter books about Charlie Farley and his magical adventures!  Climbing with two of my daughters up to 4000m in the Himalayas, learning to knit in cable stitch!