Having spent much of his life teaching English and Drama, Ian started writing full time in 1989. He has written over a hundred books for children, including the best-selling Harry and The Bucketful of Dinosaurs series which won the Children's Book Award in 2000, and his stories have been translated into 25 languages. His books are known for their humour and child-friendliness and range from picture books to novels, short stories and poetry.
Ian lives with his wife in Middlesex and has two children and four grandchildren. Apart from his family, his passions in no particular order are: The Herefordshire Marshes — where he retreats to write in an idyllic Victorian villa; digging; running; walking with friends; swimming; cycling (especially in France); the poet Stevie Smith; the theatre; books, films and hedgehogs.
