3d-review – editor interview – ‘My hamster is an astronaut’ – Dave Lowe

Dave Lowe's 'Stinky and Jinks' series is published by Templar. We talked to his editor, Matilda Johnson, Senior Editor for Hot Key Books, Piccadilly and Templar.

What is your favourite children’s book as an adult?

'Northern Lights' by Philip Pullman has been one of my favourite books of all time since I discovered it age 17. But more recently, 'A Boy and a Bear' in a Boat by Dave Shelton has been a real fiction favourite, and 'Oh No, George!' By Chris Haughton for picture books.

What do you think makes children’s books so inspirational?

The creation of stories through writing and artwork is amazing and so, so exciting. Being able to read and hold and re-read books involves you in them, and then I think the excitement becomes infectious. I always loved reading fiction because it allowed me to step into someone else's shoes, and explore different lives. And I have always loved illustration because of the sheer beauty and joy and emotion it can convey – it is so satisfying to see something done well, to see it work.

What do you love about this book and what makes it stand out?

The Stinky and Jinks stories have their own life and personality – the plots are full of fun ideas and humour which are perfectly mirrored in the artwork. And 'My Hamster is a Pirate' is no different (you gotta love the broccoli warning on page 16!). But I think it's the premise that makes the series stand out – Ben's talking, well-read hamster who helps him get both in and out of various scrapes, but usually saves the day… It's mad, but you're with them from the off, you completely believe in the world and stories, which allows he reader to have tons and tons of FUN.

How many people have worked on this book and for how long?

Author, illustrator, agents, editors, designers, publicity, marketing, sales… quite a few people! Time-wise, you'd have to wind back to Dave's very first draft of the text though..

What made you want to work in children’s publishing?

I never stopped reading books for younger readers, or buying picture books that I loved . . . and one day a friend asked if I'd thought about it. I was a bit wary of working in an office, at a desk, but when I did work experience at a small company in Oxford, I knew it was for me; I couldn’t wait to get stuck in full-time.

3d-review – author interview – ‘My hamster is an astronaut’ – Dave Lowe

 We are featuring Dave Lowe and his wonderfully funny, adventurous series for younger readers featuring a boy and his hamster 'Stinky and Jinks'.

We have been talking to Dave about the inspirations behind his writing.

What was your favourite book as a child?

Like most kids, I loved Roald Dahl.  I also read a lot of Enid Blyton, especially the Mystery series.  I was (and still am) into football, and I read all of Michael Hardcastle's football books.

What is your favourite children’s book as an adult?

One of my big pleasures in life is reading with my kids - I have two daughters who are 9 and 6.  It's always good to check out the competition!  The last book I read with my older daughter was 'When You Reach Me', by Rebecca Stead, which is an absolute cracker.

Why did you start writing for children?

I really don't remember!  I started writing when I was 7 or 8, so I guess I've always been writing for children.

What is your favourite aspect of writing for children?

I love remembering what it was like to be a child, and the kind of things that made me laugh.  I also love it that you don't need to write long descriptive passages - children have such great imaginations that you can set a scene with just a few words, and their brains can do the rest.

What do you think makes children’s books so inspirational?

When you're young and you really get into a book, it becomes such a big part of your life.  This can still happen when you're a grown-up, of course, but it's more difficult, somehow.

  

What made you want to write this book?

My older daughter had been going through an 'animal book' stage, and the animals were always pretty cute.  I though it would be funny to write about an animal that wasn't at all cute - a hamster who was clever and sarcastic and quite rude.

Thank you to Dave Lowe - and we hope the books continue to inspire younger readers everywhere to discover just what great fun reading can be!

3d-review –‘My hamster is an astronaut‘ – Dave Lowe

There is nothing Ben wants more than a pet – he longs for an exciting, possibly rare or even fierce animal he can tame and call his friend. And then his mum brings one home - and it is the start of a beautiful friendship.

Dave Lowe's brilliant 'Stinky and Jinks' series is not just any other story about pets, Ben's big wish does come true and he meets his new friend - a very small and very fluffy hamster. At first Ben is disappointed. But then he discovers that Stinky is no ordinary hamster . . .

Animal stories abound for younger readers, but Dave Lowe’s ‘Stinky and Jinks’ series give a great twist to the whole idea. Stinky has a very grumpy personality and spends most of his time being very rude, and the rest of the time he is being sarcastic of just plain cross. Especially when he has to suffer the sort of insults pets have to put up with, like when Ben’s sister dresses him up in dolls’ clothes.

But Stinky is also very clever and a very determined hamster. Stinky is always full of brilliant ideas as well a being a genius at maths homework, which is where things start to go well . . . and the they start to go wrong.

Ben and Stinky are an amazingly brilliant team, very funny, getting involved in all sorts of scrapes and nothing ever goes according to plan so the plots twist and there is plenty of excitement as well as humour. 

They are also illustrated by Mark Chambers and you can read an interview of him by Stinky at Stink’s blog http://stinkyandjinks.blogspot.co.uk/.

Children’s ability to read is often outpaced by what they demand and can understand in terms of plot and complexity so it’s always a challenge to find books for early readers that are simple enough so that they can understand them, but with stories that they really want to read.

The Stinky and Jinks books achieve this just brilliantly – simple, yet clever and funny - an unbeatable combination in stories that are told in such a short number of words. We have fans in the bookshop aged from five to eleven.

I was lucky enough to meet Dave Lowe when he was visiting from Australia earlier this year, It was interesting to learn just how much work goes into these stories, but not surprising. The books are deceptively easy to read, but they are also very clever and engaging.

Dave told me that the editing process takes much, much longer than the first draft. Dave spends several months editing, going over every word and phrase to make it clearer, more imaginative, or more exciting or just more laugh-out-loud funny. 

He finally became a published author after a long apprenticeship of a love of writing that started when he was very young, followed up by a lot of rejection – not a unique story, but often one that produces very good writers.

There are too few books that are fun, imaginative, well plotted and accessible for early readers, or indeed for older readers who find reading challenging. If you aren't a fan of 'Stinky and Jinks' yet - there are now six books in the series – with the last one ‘My Hamster is a Detective’ published in October.

Stinky and Jinks may sadly be coming to an end, but Dave is busy working on a new series.

My Hamster in an Astronaut - Dave Lowe

Book Review by Spike Poyton

My Hamster in an Astronaut is REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, good! It is very, very funny. Stinky the hamster is grumpy; he is scared of heights and his owner, nine year old, Benjamin Jinks, is planning on making him the astronaut of a home-made rocket that he is going to launch for a science project!

Stinky wearing a helmet made out of a tennis ball is set to go to space to beat school bully’s flying saucer display. Lots of funny adventures happen to Stinky and Benjamin and it will make you laugh!


If you like, 'My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish', 'Guinea Pigs Online' or Dick King Smith book’s, you will LOVE My Hamster is an Astronaut!