STUFF HAPPENS – NED by Andrew Daddo

I am pleased to be able to introduce you to children’s book author, Andrew Daddo who released STUFF HAPPENS – NED, Published by Penguin Australia (Puffin) on the 23^rd July.

STUFF HAPPENS – NED is a part of a new series for boys aged 7 to 10 years old, each book tells the story of an incident of emotional importance to one of the boys in a fictional primary school class. The stories, written by some of Australia's finest male writers make great reads and an important contribution to the emotional literacy of Australian boys.

About: 4 boys, 4 stories, 4 great Australian writers in an important new series.

Stuff happens sometimes.

Everyday stuff.

At school, at home, with sport, with mates.

For Ned it happened with a new teacher.

For Sean it happened starting at a new school.

For Michael it happened when he thought he was disappointing his parents.

For Jack it happened when a game at recess went wrong.

Stuff Happens.

Real-life stories for boys.

STUFF HAPPENS - NED

** Welcome to Little Ones Read, Are you able to tell us a little about your book STUFF HAPPENS – Ned and yourself?

It’s weird, because it’s a normal kid with pretty normal kid things going on.  His older brother and sister drive him up the wall, but everyone else thinks they’re amazing.  He’s late to his first day of grade five, Ned makes it to the principals office before 10AM and he doesn’t understand what he did wrong, and, if that’s not enough, he can’t stand his teacher.  In fact, if he knows one thing, it’s that he has to get out of Ms Mucus’s class – NOW!

** When and why did you begin writing?

Started writing at the end of last century (shuffles his zimmer frame) and because I thought I had stories to tell.  Besides, who doesn’t want to be published?

** What's the best thing about being a published author?

Being published, and knowing that your stories can have a such a positive impact on people.  Imagine learning it was YOUR book that got “reluctant Eddie” to actually read.

** Your latest book STUFF HAPPENS – NED, is a part of a book series and explores emotional importance to boys in a fictional primary school class. What was your inspiration for writing this book?

I think it was to be part of a movement to help boys be better boys

** Did you reflect back on your own childhood experiences when it came to writing STUFF HAPPENS - NED?

Of course!  Although, I was a bit naughtier than Ned

** Who or What motivated you to write for children?

It’s where I started writing, and it’s where I’ve spent most of my time.  I have kids, they read, it kind of worked out that way.

** Is there anything about you that would surprise your readers? Any quirks, habits, routines etc.

I build my own surfboards with our kids.  My son (15) is really good at it, he’s my mentor – but my 13 year old daughter and I glassed a board recently and are about to shape and glass another.  We also make handshooters (body-surfing pods)

** As a mum of a 9 year-old son, I think the message behind this series is truly wonderful – what advice would you give to a child, especially a young boy of this age?

Listen to your mother and father… Ask Mum and Dad for books to read, and tell them when you’re worried about stuff, sharing the feelings helps much more than you think it’s going to hurt.

** Do you have a personal favourite children’s story book or series?

Not really

** Are there many challenges you come across when writing books for children?

Getting the words on the page and not doing other stuff like making boards or handshooters or going surfing. Or golfing.  Or doing other things that stop me sitting at the desk doing the work.

** What’s up next for Andrew Daddo?

Stacks.

Podcast: Getafreakinlife.com

New show for ABC1 – Save Your Life Tonight

Two new picture books and hopefully a YA novel.

Photo credit: (www.penguin.com.au Jake Condon

About the author:

Andrew Daddo is an accomplished author of more than twenty best-selling books for all ages. He writes each month for Australian Golf Digest and contributes regularly to Essential Kids, Sydney Morning Herald and various travel magazines. Over the past ten years he has spoken to thousands of school children about the importance of literacy.

andrewdaddo.com

About the series editor:

‘Stuff Happens is our contribution to that unclenching of boys' hearts. We also think it is a series

young boys will love. Because it's about them. And their stuff. And that matters.’ –Susannah

McFarlane, series editor Susannah McFarlane is a successful children’s book publisher and author who, loves creating stories that kids love to read.

Susannah was the original concept creator of Go Girl! And Zac Power, and is the creator and writer of the award-winning EJ12 Girl Hero series, the creator and co-author of the hugely popular series for boys, Boy vs Beast, and the author of the Little Mates series of alphabet books for under fives.

Susannah was previously the managing director of Egmont Books UK; the vice-president of the Egmont Group and the co‐owner, managing director and publisher of Hardie Grant Egmont.

susannahmcfarlane.com