I was Head of Performing Arts in a comprehensive school until I retired and began writing. I'm a keen but very amateur bird watcher and also help to keep my local woodland valley in order. I have recently had the first of a four part series of climate fiction books for 8 - 12 yr olds published by Cranthorpe Millner and I've been inspired by the reaction when I've done author readings in schools. So why 'grown ups'? Well apart from some 'mature' readers saying they enjoyed it very much, there's this independent review from Leeds Living:

'The author of The Girl and The Goldcrest, Steve Draper, is from Sheffield. Because it’s Yorkshire and Steve mentioned Leeds Living, we agreed to make an exception to read the 200 page book and review it! I’m glad we did. Steve Draper has managed to address many of today’s social issues whilst retaining the spirit of youthful enquiry and adventure, the latter reminiscent of Leeds’ own Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons with a fantastical thread akin to Dr Dolittle. The prevailing question is whether good overcomes evil in the end. Woe betide me if I tell you. What I can say is that it’s worth you finding out for yourself. You’ll want to read it. Recommended reading age group 8 – 12 years. If you’re a lot older and young at heart, The Girl and The Goldcrest is a very pleasant, sometimes nostalgic and perhaps even therapeutic read.'

The book is beautifully and lavishly illustrated, and I will read and answer questions, along with a Powerpoint presentation showing some of these.