Q: First tell us something about yourself.
My name is Mel, I’m an early year’s practitioner, working in the pre-school room and a published author to my first children’s book ‘The Troll That Was Misunderstood’
Showing my pre-school children my book when it got published was amazing, their feedback was obviously most important, and they all love it. Whenever one of us practitioners get some books out to read, they always say “that’s Mel’s book, I have that one at home.” It’s so lovely to hear them say that.
I love my job, and I also love bringing out new books for these amazing children to enjoy.
Q: How and when did your journey start as a writer?
I started my writing journey early last year in 2024. I used to write different poems in my notes. Poems about the seasons and nature. Then one day I thought I’d give writing a children’s book a go and now here we are.
Q: When did you write your first story? Is it published or not?
I wrote my first children’s book in June 2024. I showed a few people my story to get their reactions, and they loved it, so I proceeded to send it to a publisher here in the UK and I got offered a contract to get my book published with them. My book was published 25th April 2025. It was such an amazing feeling.
Q: Tell us something more about your books.
My story is about being kind. There are people out there who have experienced bullying with the way they look or where they live and may have not had many friends because some people judge them. So, in my story it shows a troll that looks a bit different. He has warts, clothes that are not the best, ginger hair, misshaped ears and eyes that are different colours. He even lives in a place that is unusual to an ordinary house.
The creatures of the village fear him and often say things about him when they don’t even know him at all.
So, as my readers read on with this story they find out my troll is kind and caring, just because he looks a bit different doesn’t mean he’s not a nice person. You’ll see this lonely troll’s world change by one act of kindness.
Q: How did these stories and characters come to your mind?
When I knew my book was going to be based on kindness, I was trying to think of a character that many children know but could look a bit different to any other character. So, I decided on a troll under the bridge, because of the place he lives, it isn’t the greatest and the way he looks that some people can relate with.
Then when I was thinking of a character to bring the one act of kindness, to tell the rest of the creatures I came across the fairy, because they are gentle, delicate and do have a heart to care for others, so she helped the troll not to feel so lonely.
Kindness is like sunshine; it makes things brighter.
Q: Do you want to leave any message for your readers?
A little kind word, a smile you share, can show someone how much you care.
Kindness grows when passed along,
It makes us feel brave and strong.
