Alex Waldron writes about Fred, Woody, their cousin Stevie and Big Nan whose advice is invaluable, in these ground-breaking and informative new picture books for young children that encourage parents to talk honestly and factually about normal stuff that's sometimes difficult to put into words.
The books are part of series that the author has big plans for, with more ideas in the pipeline to help families deal with issues such as bereavement and gender. The cool hand-drawn illustrations look factual, aiding parents in honest and helpful conversations, and they show that we are all different and perfect in our own way. Both books have a section at the back, "Big Nan knows : important stuff for grownups", designed by a relationships and sex education trainer, to help grownups to get the most out of the books for their little ones. The books are written beautifully to promote body confidence, awareness and an understanding of health and hygiene, safeguarding and consent.
The importance of books like these is summed up by the Eve Appeal charity , who say girls need to use the "right words form the start" and that opening up conversations gives women the best chance of a healthy life. Find out more about the important work of the Eve appeal charity here. Their Every Girl Project aims to "stop taboos before they start by educating children in an open and informed way", because there is a "huge lack of awareness and a lot of embarrassment around gynae health and the female anatomy, and this is preventing women seeking the healthcare they need when they need it".
Alex Waldron answers some questions about the Fred and Woody books and the inspiration for the series below:
What inspired you to write a book about these subjects for kids?
When a parent of our nursery asked for a recommendation for a book on bereavement I was inspired to write my own. I wanted to write something with an honest, straightforward voice that both the parent and child would want to read because it was funny and informative.
The books began as handmade presents for your two young boys based on their fantastic adventures in Cornwall from stories that you dreamt up at bedtimes. Can you tell me more about their genesis?
It began as a way of getting my boys to sleep, which turned into a nightly ritual. The stories became more elaborate and fantastical each night, more to keep me entertained than them! I’ve always doodled as a way of scratching my creative itch and one year decided to combine them to create a book as a present about Fred and Woody’s amazing Nannies past and present.
Why do you think people find it hard to speak to their children about sex and bodies, as well as other tricky subjects?
Probably because our parents found it hard to talk to us and because we’re a bit British. I think that by breaking the cycle, we’ll encourage kids to talk more, to ask more and not to be afraid.
Do you think we are empowering young people with the ‘confidence to take on the world as awesome big humans?’ How can we?
I think if we arm kids with as much knowledge and confidence as possible at an early age, there’s nothing they can’t do. Being honest with them and telling them the mistakes we’ve made and that they shouldn’t be afraid to fail themselves is important. It’s going to be one of these little superheroes that figures out how to rectify our wrongs so it’s our duty to give them the best possible start.
Are you a designer or a writer?
Jack of all, master of none. I studied Art and Design at Uni but have always enjoyed writing. I enjoy making stuff so seek out any opportunity to create in most things I do.
How did your work as childcare practitioner inform your books?
Meeting so many different parents through our childcare business I recognised just how little we all know. We’re all baffled by our own kids and at times are clueless and helpless, especially when you’re trying to negotiate a ‘hangry’ 3 year old who’s just shat themselves. As a kid you think the big people are so switched on and have all the answers. When you become a parent you realise we’re all just pretending to be adults. At my first parents evening as a big person it dawned on me that my teachers and parents were all faking it till they made it too.
What do you hope a child and parent will take away from your books?
I want them to laugh together and to be able to ask each other questions. For it to be an icebreaker and a ‘way in’ on sensitive subjects. I wanted the aesthetic of the books to appeal to the adult reader as much as the child and for it to be a fun read.
What does it mean to be a modern parent?
Technology I guess plays a large part. As modern parents we tend to think we have have all the answers at our finger tips. Our phones and devices can be a blessing, a font of all knowledge, a portable TV, a games machine all wrapped up in one. The curse is it’s addictiveness for both adults and kids. Social media can be a great tool for giving and receiving advice but can so often become a portal into someone’s ‘perfect’ life that makes us think that we’re not doing it right. That’s why I feel books are such an essential antidote. That time spent flicking through the pages of a good book before bed time is a connectedness and calmness that can’t be beat. It’s easy to plonk an iPhone in your kids hands (don’t get me wrong, I do this) but so much more rewarding sharing a story. Sometimes you’ve just got to remember to do it.
What is your creative process?
The words tend to come pretty quickly, I like to bounce my ideas off of my friends and family. I sometimes swing and miss with certain subjects, notably with What’s Down There? I’m lucky to have had amazing input from my publisher and editor Ruth whose pretty good at reigning me in. I’m by no means an expert so am never surprised or upset when I hear the words – you can’t say that. The pictures are hand drawn. It’s a pretty laborious process which I love…. and hate. I can spend a whole day on an intricate drawing, then dribble on it, have a creative diva strop and throw it all away. I drive my wife Sophie insane.
What inspires your illustrations?
Fred and Woody’s Fantastic World is set in Kernow County. This is a fictionalized version of Cornwall where we live. We’re based near the coast in a historic mining town, surrounded by clay tips that dot the horizon, known locally as the White Pyramids. I always told bed time stories of colourful Cornish characters set in a place between the mountains and the sea. I’m inspired by nostalgic imagery. I’m a child of the 80’s so love the aesthetics of the Goonies and the classic Spielberg films. I like to give a little nod to these inspirations in my drawings.
What subjects do you hope to explore in future books in the series?
An adventurous love story between Fred and Woody’s Uncles, a book dealing with bereavement, and one about depression. I’ve got a spark of an idea of a book about gender which I’m excited about exploring too. I’m passionate about creating books that deal with subjects that can be tricky for parents to broach and breaking the awkwardness down with honesty and humour.
Alex Waldron is the writer and illustrator of the Fred & Woody’s Fantastic World series of books from Ruby Tuesday Books. Inspired by his sons, and the children he supports through the nursery care company he runs with his wife in Cornwall, Alex has created a series of accessible, engaging, fun books that will help parents, carers and teachers open up dialogue on conversations that can be perceived as difficult – but important - to broach including safety and consent, body confidence and awareness, bereavement and same-sex relationships. Alex’s work is inspired by nostalgia from his childhood; think the Goonies, in the land of Grizzly Adams, with the attitude of Bill and Ted. When not working, writing, drawing or looking after his sons, Alex can be found at the beach (although he’s also known to do all those things at the beach as well as surfing and paddleboarding!).
Alex says, “I want my books to empower, educate, inspire, inform and enable as many little humans as possible. For them to know that they are unique and perfect and for them to have the confidence to take on the world as awesome big humans. They’re written for anyone with a penis or a vulva, or anyone who knows someone with a penis or a vulva.”
I really liked these books - they are different, important and challenging, making us think. And we need more of that these days.
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