Martin Waddell
Martin was read to a lot as a child by people who knew how to read stories. These stories came alive, and the love of story has stayed with him ever since.
He lives where he lived as a child, and nearly all of his stories come from things that have happened to him there, at the foot of the Mountain of Mourne. He works in an old stone barn beside his home, and dreams stories in the garden and on long walks on the beach in front of the house. He never writes anywhere else. This is where he belongs.
Books
Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?
Author: Martin Waddell Illustrator: Barbara Firth
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+
Little Bear just can't get to sleep because he is afraid of the dark. Big Bear is patient and brings bigger and bigger lanterns to keep away the darkness. Still Little Bear is afraid, so Big Bear takes him outside to see the moon and the stars. Finally, cuddled up in Big Bear's arms, Little Bear goes to sleep, allowing Big Bear to finish reading his book. Th…
Captain Small Pig
Author: Martin Waddell Illustrator: Susan Varley
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+
In picturing this quiet day out on the river with Turkey, Old Goat and Small Pig, Waddell and Varley have created a gently humorous text redolent of folk tales from many cultures.
Dirty Great Dinosaur
Author: Martin Waddell Illustrator: Leonie Lord
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 6+
Hal and his dog, Billy, are playing in the garden when a dirty great dinosaur barges in! He is hungry and threatens to eat Hal, then his mum, his dad and his dog.
Farmer Duck
Author: Martin Waddell Illustrator: Helen Oxenbury
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 6+
There once was a lazy farmer who spent his days in bed eating chocolate while his duck did all the hard work around the farm.
Grandma's Bill
Author: Martin Waddell Illustrator: Jane Johnson
Publisher: Hodder Wayland
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 7+
Bill and his Grandma look through an album containing old photographs - a touching story about a young boy's special relationship with his grandparents.
Owl Babies
Author: Martin Waddell Illustrator: Patrick Benson
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3-7
Reading age: 6+
This reassuring and stunningly illustrated book tackles the subject of temporary separation - a situation which all children are likely to experience, be it Mum going to work or first day at Nursery.
Snow Bears
Author: Martin Waddell Illustrator: Sarah Fox-Davies
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 2+
Reading age: 7+
This gentle, very beautiful picture book is about three baby bears playing in the snow with their mummy.