Julia Jarman may be the most prolific author living in Bedford Borough today, having written more than 100 books for people of all ages.
This year marks 40 years since her first book, When Poppy Ran Away, was first published, inspired by a true story she told her daughter.
And Julia will celebrate by doing a live reading to children at the Bedford Kite and Motoring Festival in Russell Park this month.
Julia said; “When Poppy Ran Away came about when I told my daughter about something quite naughty I’d done when I was a child. She said ‘Mum, that’s the most interesting thing you’ve ever said in your whole life! Why don’t you write it down?’ So that’s what I did and went on doing, mixing real life and imagination to create stories.
“I started by writing books for children aged between eight and 12, because that’s how old my children were at the time.
“When they became teenagers, I started writing for teens. Then my children overtook me, but I moved into adult fiction too, starting with The Widows’ Wine Club. And when my grandchildren arrived, I wanted them to have books of mine, so I started doing picture books.”
Julia previously worked as an English teacher, working at Bedford Borough schools such as Mark Rutherford and Sharnbrook Academy (then known as Sharnbrook Upper School).
And her first paid writing was not as an author but for a local newspaper, after she unexpectedly became a columnist for the Bedfordshire On Sunday under future Mayor of Bedford Borough Frank Branston.
Julia said; “Someone told me that their women’s columnist had walked out on Frank.
“I sent in an article about real ale bores, of all things. Frank called me into the office and asked, ‘How do I know you can do this every week?’ So, I did four more, and we went from there.”
Julia has many happy memories of the books she has written.
“The Time Travelling Cat has probably been my most successful series,” she said. “We had a cat called Mr Oscar Grey – a very handsome boy who would disappear for days at a time. Once he was gone for over a week, until I heard a scratching at the door and there he was; I let him in and he leapt up to where we’d feed the cats.
“I asked him where he’d been, and my daughter chimed in with ‘He’s probably been time-travelling. Cats do that, you know.”
Julia also singled out the Big Red Bath, which was inspired by the red bathtub in her own home and her grandchildren playing in it. She plans to read it to children visiting the Kite and Motoring Festival, for free, in Bedford’s Russell Park on June 21 and 22.
And then there is Class Two At The Zoo, which was created after Julia visited a school in Dorset. She challenged the children to help come up with a story idea with her, and the result was so stunning that she adapted it for her own picture book!
But she also has treasured memories of other books by other authors that inspired her.
She said; “The Mousehole Cat by Antonia Barber is a wonderful picture book. It’s got friendship, heroism, cooking and cats – and the art is beautiful.
“And Bows Against The Barons by Geoffrey Trease, a powerful novel about Robin Hood, was one of my favourites as a child. It had a huge influence on me both politically and stylistically – the book begins with the word ‘Crack!’ of a whip, and my first book begins with the word ‘Bum’! There are seven bums on the first page – Geoffrey Trease taught me how to grab a reader’s attention!”
The Bedford Kite and Motoring Festival will take place on 21-22 June, with a special literary area for children as part of the Bedford Borough Year of Reading. Find out more about the Year of Reading at https://www.bedford.gov.uk/yearofreading