As those of you with children will be all too aware, it’s the summer holidays and parents are briefly given sole responsibility for keeping their offspring entertained for six long weeks. As an author/stay at home dad, that means my writing time is basically put on hold. And last summer I struggled with that a bit, now that I’ve started writing books, I’ve definitely got the bug. So this time around I’ve had the brilliant/stupid (delete as turns out to be appropriate) idea to write and produce a proper illustrated children’s story book, over the summer, working hand-in-hand with my daughter Alba.
Alba is six years old, and she’s wonderfully enthusiastic about her reading and writing. For a couple of years now she has been making her own books – handwriting stories, and binding them together with sellotape. She makes me very proud by saying she wants to be an author when she grows up, as well as being a shop assistant and a scientist. Obviously I’ve explained to her that when she actually does grow up robots will do all the jobs, and they’ll probably use us for fuel too.
She frowns slightly at this, but quickly moves on. I think she’s quite used to my sense of humour. Come to think of it, she may even have inherited it.
Anyway, the idea for all this came originally from Alba herself. A few weeks ago she came home from school, very excited, saying that she’d made a book cover (she often helps me by choosing from the various book covers I’m working on). What she didn’t say is, even though her cover was back-to-front, she’d come up with a fantastic title. Here’s the book cover:
And here, if you didn’t quite get her handwriting, is the title:
The Dog that Mooed, and the Cow that Woofd
I maybe nothing more than a daft besotted dad – I accept that’s a possibility – but I thought the title was great and made the decision there and then. Even if the resulting book is terrible, and a doesn’t sell beyond a few copies to my own mum, I still think it’s a useful thing to do in the day and age, when job roles are changing, and robots really are threatening our children’s futures in employment (see, it wasn’t just a joke).
Anyway, we’re going for it. We’re now working together to work out what the story should be (it’s harder than I thought, and results in lots of arguments, like whether farms have penguins on them). But the general idea is that, along with producing the book, choosing an illustrator, laying out the pages etc… We’re also going to make a blog about the process. It won’t be masses because, as it turns out, six year olds, even those excited about summer projects with their dads, have quite short attention spans. Especially when it’s sunny outside. But we’ll try and post a few interesting things about what happens along the way, and get some feedback on some of the decisions, such as how the illustrations should look etc…
In the spirit of that, it would be really helpful if you could take a couple of moments to complete our, highly scientific, reader’s survey (guess which questions come from Alba!)
[yop_poll id=2]
Thanks! (and just to clarify, this doesn’t mean the adult books will stop, this is just something to keep me busy over the summer when I have no time to write)
Have always read to my grandchildren now aged 11, 8, and 5 and still do. Also spent some time in local primary schools with a charity helping kids who struggle with reading because I think it’s one of the most important skills necessary to get through life, but if you enjoy it..so much the better! Your children are very lucky indeed to have a Dad like you!
What a wonderful idea, Alba sounds a creative little girl with an amazing imagination, I wonder who she gets that from? It’s lovely that it will strengthen your father-daughter relationship too. My children are 14 and 18 now so way past the age of being read to and I really miss that. I’m sure lots of children will enjoy your story, good luck with it. Just finished Desert Rat and loved it x
Don’t read kids books , but it’s a brilliant book title Alba… Keep your dad on his toes !
Brilliant idea from a brilliant author. No doubt it will be a beauty.
I really miss reading stories to my children, as they are all grown up now. However, my Nephews love it and I used to supervise in a preschool too. Good luck to you both and what a lovely idea to share together. Sounds wonderful.
Brilliant for both of you!! My grand daughter is not yet up to speed with her reading and writing ( but has an amazing imagination). A project like this may inspire her! I’ll see what can be achieved. I’m sure you and Alba can pull a masterpiece out of the hat!
Think this is a great idea. Wish Alba luck from me. I, too, believe robots will one day take over all our jobs.
Funnily enough, I am a grandma for the first time. She is just 4 months old but I have decided when she stays with us for 4 days next month, I am going to start reading to her. I have also thought that I would like to write a children’s book if only for her (I studied children’s literature whilst at university) so I will be very interested to hear all about Alba’s book.
What a fantastic idea. I’m a primary school teacher in Scotland and I’d be overjoyed if more children were encouraged to write and draw at home. I agree with the above comment that Alba should be the illustrator. Give her real ownership of what’s she’s involved in creating and similarly, with the plot. No matter how far fetched her ideas, let her run with them. Support, advise where necessary and discuss, but let her thoughts have the freedom to fly. Other children will get it, even if you don’t.
You’re a Gabby daddy for involving Alba in your world of work which will enable her to develop skills for life, whatever career(s) her future holds.
All the best. Looking forward to seeing the progress reports.
Brilliant idea. I love children’s books. Often read ones I see lying around. My kids are teenagers now, but not averse to a bit of David Walliams being read aloud. Books written by or for 6 year olds are the best though because you can read lots in one day and usually they have pictures too.
Your survey is incomplete.
“Who do you read children’s books to?” does not include “myself.”
I’m 77 but when I grow up, I’ll switch to adult books, maybe.
That’s what I would have ticked too.
I recently stayed in an Airbnb apartment and found a compendium of Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. I enjoyed rereading it so much that I bought a copy which also included When We were Very Young and Now We are Six.
I had already bought the box set of Beatrix Potter and have now added the Narnia books and the Complete Works of Lewis Carroll.
Children’s books don’t have to be just for children which is why humour is so important.
Six Dinner Sid is great too!!
Good luck with your project
What a wonderful experience for your daughter!
Alba will cherish this summer in her memories.
Louise
This is a wonderful project you and Alba are undertaking. I’m excited to see and read the final book. I have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. I’ve always read to all of them and took my own children to the library every 2 weeks to get new books.
I’ve also written some children’s books myself, but they’ve only been heard by my grandchildren. When I wrote the first one, my oldest grandson was only 5 and after I read it to him he said I should get an “A” because it was so good. That’s the best compliment a Nana can get.
Keep us posted about the blog in your regular newsletter so we can link to it and keep up with your progress.
How lovely!! Not only a fun project (with needed patience), but a memory made for a lifetime. And, who knows, maybe when you’re old and forgetful it will be the book she reads to you 🙂 Best wishes!
p.s. Hello, Alba…proud of you!
You got me all in tears of proudness( maybe because I am related to Alba and you) anyway, I know you two make a wonderful team and I can’t wait to read the blog and see the final product. Enjoy your hols. X
Awesome idea! I think Alba should combine some of her own photography with drawings in her book.
Great idea, my children loved to be read to, and now so do my great grandchildren. It’s great to have the memories, you and Alba (my middle name is Alban!) will have plenty. And yes, I remember raffia!loved
Frankie
My daughter (now aged 60!) wrote “A Red Nose for Sally” at age 8, illustrated by me, for a school project. It was delightful. Cheers to Alba!
I have no doubt you will learn more in six weeks with a six year old than any other time spent with in an adult environment – and have joyful days in the process (most anyway). Safe travels!
Enjoy and savour this time. Children grow so quickly. I loved Harry Potter and am not ashamed to read and enjoy children’s books. Humour and good characters make an excellent read. Keep up the good work Gregg and Alba!
This new book sounds a lot of fun for you and Alba and gives me a good idea to keep my 7 year old grandaughter involved by writing and illustrating her own story.
I thinK you should definitely use one of Alba’s illustrations for the front cover.
Sounds such a fantastic idea, hope you both have a lovely time!!! ☺️
As an only child, living in the countryside, in the 1950’s, & often finding myself without playmates, I used to do exactly as Alba is doing – inventing stories & making & binding my books with thread & raffia ( who remembers raffia??) I had hours of pleasure doing it, as well as the pressed flower books – all the flowers having stories attached too!! I think being alone sparked my imagination. I now have a 2yr old granddaughter who adores her books, & I look forward to ‘making books’ with her in the future too! What fun Alba will have this summer – enjoy your hols!!!!
Lovely lovely idea! Why can’t you have penguins on a farm? I can see them waddling away. Good luck ,hope to be buying it at Christmas!!
Love Alba’s title. Read lots to my children and grandchildren but they are all grown up now. Would adapt stories such as Red Riding Hood (if they insisted on one like that) so that the wolf was the good guy. Good luck with your summer project.
Look forward to reading it to all the grandchildren. Keep up the brilliant writing.
I read a lot to my grandchildren;
Now they are old enough to read on their own. My oldest writes film documentaries for a living.
I was an elementary teacher and my classes always wrote, illustrated, and bound their own original works.
Nice idea. Hope the weather stays fine for you both. Though writing whilst splashing might be difficult. I agree that the illustrations should be done by Alba, perhaps with a little help from an artistic adult 🙂 And what’s wrong with penguins on an imaginary children’s farm!
That’s what I keep telling her, lots of farms have penguins! 🙂
Tricky to milk though!!!!
That’s just a great idea, I hope you both enjoy it. Don’t forget to relax and enjoy the holidays too! Looking forward to the progress reports, have fun 😎
Think it’s a great idea and kids often come up with good stuff.
I don’t buy any children’s book at present as my daughter is grown up but I’m not a grandma yet.
But hold on: I bought a children’s book in a charity shop last year and gave it to my daughter as it used to be one of her favourites when she was little: Can’t you sleep litte bear?
The last new children’s book I bought of myself was Harry Potter I’m not ashamed to admit.
As my daughter is getting married in the spring, who knows, I may be purchasing children’s books again in the not too distant future.
Great idea. However you said that one thing you plan to do is find an illustrator. Whoa! Alba is your perfect illustrator. Books for children with pictures drawn by a child – kids will love them, and Alba will then be properly included ;and published). The pics don’t need to be perfect. To use someone else would be like me saying to you, yeah great idea … now let’s find a children’s writer to write it. It’s a first for both of you. Go for it 🤪😁
Agree with you Jo
Sounds like a good idea
Good luck with the book , lovely thing you are doing with your daughter , she will appreciate the memories you make together when she’s older
Probably not suitable for a children’s book, but I have recently taken to flipping the bird to cows when I pass through their fields. They can be very protective of their calves and get quite belligerent when a small Englishman gets too close. Flipping the bird is a sign of defiance and a celebration of the small victory that no matter how many times they have rushed me, they’ve not got me yet.
Go Alba! My Grandaughter Amelia is 6 too, and she has written a very good story based on the 3 little pigs called the 3 little fish – its very funny! From Nanny Kim. PS Love your Dads books!