I've always loved writing stories --- funny ones especially. I try to make my books as exciting as possible because I know how much I enjoyed the books I read when I was small. I am very conscious that it's now my turn to introduce children to the joys of reading, and to create a book habit that will last a lifetime. That doesn't mean I want to make things easy, because I think easy is boring --- especially for kids. I want my young readers to be thrilled and entertained --- but also challenged and stretched.Each time I start a story --- even if it's part of a series about the same character, such as my three Mungo adventures --- I want it to be completely different from anything I've written before. Now I've written a few, though, I do see the same themes popping up: friendship is one, and adventure another. One of the great delights of writing children's books is that you get to work with illustrators. (People who only write for grown-ups must be green with envy!) They are all amazingly talented and inspiring. It is a huge thrill to open your own book for the first time and see it brought to such stunning life by their dazzling imaginations.

 

Timothy Knapman