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Today's blog post delves deep into the life of Deborah Bradbury, the talented author behind the beloved children's book 'A Courageous, Clever Crow: Be Nice!' To start, here is a magical glimpse into her background and the incredible journey that led her to become an acclaimed superstar in the world of Kidlit…
I was born in Manchester, United Kingdom, as one of five siblings. From an early age, I loved pretending to be a teacher and always said I’d be one someday! When I was four, my mother bought me a small writing desk, which I adored so much I would even eat my dinner from it! As a young girl, I enjoyed the outdoors, climbing trees, running, and playing in my local park with my sister. We loved adventures and would often imagine we were travelling off to some unknown land! As we trekked out into the park or around the countryside, we would sometimes get lost, and when we began feeling a little homesick, we'd comfort ourselves by singing the song “It's a Long Way to Tipperary”!
Your adventurous side definitely shines in your writing. What sparked the idea for the plot of your award-winning book?
I dedicated my first book in the series "A Courageous, Clever Crow": Be Different!" to my late brother David Carr. He, like myself, revelled in the outdoors and loved bird watching, and hunting rabbits with his ferrets. My tales are inspired by adventure, memories and experiences, which I draw from when building characters and themes within the plot. For example, the character Pesky Pike was inspired by a memory of David fishing for eels in the river near where we lived in Kent. He would avoid pikes because according to him, they were "pesky" and would always bully the little fish! David loved to draw crows in his art book and I was amazed by the intricate details and lifelike features he captured. My brother's memory lives in the Courageous, Clever Crow.
What a lovely sentiment! We'd love to know more about your family life and what ignited your passion for writing and books…
In my early twenties, I embarked on an adventure and moved to Spain. I learnt a new culture, and language and began teaching English one to one. Fast forward more than 20 years and Spain became my home, I met my wonderfully supportive husband and had four fantastic children. One of my greatest joys when they were growing up was reading bedtime stories, especially the Harry Potter series, which we went through three times! Those moments, with me in an armchair, acting out the characters with different voices, and them sitting around, letting their imagination run wild, became our special time together. I believe reading aloud to children is the first step in building a reading culture and fostering a lifelong love of books.
Eventually, one of my childhood dreams came true: I became a primary school teacher, specialising in KS2. I've been teaching for over fifteen years now, and it's been the most fulfilling job I have ever had, despite its challenges. When I enter the classroom, I always say, "Now, I'm in MY paradise!” I love being with children and watching them learn – seeing the light bulb switch on in my pupils' minds makes my day. While I enjoy teaching all subjects, my favourite time of day is story time. At the beginning of each term, I always start with a Roald Dahl book, often “The Twits”. I then let the pupils choose our next book as a class, and they usually want to read through his collection before moving on to other authors. In my opinion, reading aloud to children should be a top priority in the classroom. It's a great way to instil a genuine love of reading and encourage reluctant readers to pick up a book.
I've always been passionate about cultivating a lifelong love of reading in young children. Another dream of mine was to
write stories for children, blending educational facts with a touch of humour and drama. Writing "A Courageous, Clever Crow: Be Nice!" has been a joyful and exciting journey. Through this story, I aim to promote empathy by highlighting the importance of kindness and friendship. With a character like the Courageous, Clever Crow, who embodies bravery and compassion, children can learn from an inspiring role model. He uses his wit, bold nature, and understanding to resolve disputes in the forest or by the lake. My hope is that the storyline will resonate with young children, helping them connect with their own emotions and find ways to resolve conflicts in their lives.
Reading this book will undoubtedly bring a multitude of benefits to children!
Tell us, what did you most like about the creative process of getting your book out there, and what do you think the future has in store?
I especially enjoyed drawing the illustrations and creating funny, interesting characters that children will adore and look up to. Currently, I am mind-mapping my next book in the series. I love blending adventure, humour, and education, and I’m excited to see what the next book will bring! Are you?
Most definitely, the answer is a big yes from all of us at TGW! We're eagerly awaiting the next book and are thrilled to see what the future holds for this multi-talented author!
If you want to stay updated on their author journey or get your hands on a copy of the book, check out the links below.