Ahead of World Book Day on 7th March, and a week when as an author, my favourite thing to do is to go into schools and read to children, I thought you might like to know a little more about this author!
Tell us about your writing career to date.
I began writing in a blog when my daughter was little, as a way to get my thoughts about parenting out of my head – because as wonderful as parenting is, it can be tough right?! And it kind of progressed from there.
I’d written about the old fashioned nature of some classical fairy tales, and the out of date messages they send our children, and I had a go at rewriting one: I turned Cinderella into Ella and the iPhone, and at the end, when she’s reunited with her lost phone as the thumb print fits, she tells the prince that she just wants to be friends as she’s off to uni.
After that I began playing around with a few ideas, and Thea Chops Books was born.
What made equality & inclusivity so important to you?
Because it’s really important for all of us: all human beings deserve to be treated equally, fairly, and with respect. Once I started to see injustices in the world, I couldn’t unsee them. I knew I wanted to do something that would help create change.
How do you incorporate these themes into your books?
Hopefully with some humour! Mostly by choosing something, for example, the idea that what girls and boys like is determined by their gender, and challenging the ideas, in rhyme.
So, in my first book, ‘She’s Not Good for a Girl, She’s Just Good!’, the character of Frank tells Florence that girls are rubbish at sport, because that’s what his dad says. Florence challenges him and together they learn that you can be good at, and enjoy something, regardless of being a boy or a girl. Florence is good at some things, and Frank is good at others.
How can families introduce these themes into their children’s book collections?
Well, buying our books would be a great start! But also, a quick google of say, ‘kids’ books about equality’ will bring up a whole list of fabulous options.
Parents might think these themes are too mature for children – what’s your response to that?
Only if talked about in a non-age-appropriate way. How we discuss anything with a 2-year-old, is different to how we talk to an 8-year-old, or a 15-year-old. And kids are very literal, and accepting, so actually these conversations tend to be easier than we think.
When our old babysitter got married to her wife, my daughter commented that she looked like a princess in her dress. Then she asked me why her prince has long hair; and when I said she’s marrying another princess, because sometimes two women fall in love and choose to get married, my daughter, aged 2 1/2 replied, ‘okay’ and carried on watching the wedding. It was that simple a conversation.
Children are curious and bound to ask questions, how do you suggest parents and care givers respond? Do you have any good anecdotes?
When I first talked to my daughter about periods, the minute I used the word ‘egg’ she said, “Like a chicken?! Am I a chicken?!” it made us both laugh out loud. Even though through the laughter I managed to say, you’re not a chicken, we then clucked at each other for a bit, and I got the sense she wasn’t quite ready for the conversation.
The best way to respond, though, is honesty. And to keep it simple. Also pause after you’ve said something; don’t feel like you have to go into huge detail and explain it all in one go. If in the pause your child has another question, answer that one, but you might find that first response was enough, and they move onto something else.
But this is another reason why seeking out books is a great way to start these conversations. Other people have written about this for us! Reading with our children will either spark some questions, or provide a moment for you to ask, what did you think about that?
Favourite author writing in the same genre as you.
I love everything that Andrea Beaty does. I met her once at a reading in a local bookshop and totally fangirl-ed her!
So that’s a little about me – an author who would love to come to your primary school and read! If you’re a parent and you’re reading this please email your child’s school and ask them to get in touch with me at suze@theachopsbooks.com If you’re a teacher, and you’re still looking for an author for World Book Day 2024 or any other week of the year, please also drop me a line!
This interview was first published on the East Green Childcare Services website ahead of World Book Day in March 2023.
