A sleepless night turns into a fun-packed adventure for Oliver. He opens his favourite book but gets more than just a story. See where his book takes him as he is transported on a real-life adventure. What treasures will he find along the way?
This is Arron Smith, author of the children’s book Oliver, Where Are You? Oliver’s Seaside Adventure.
We spoke with Arron about how his family inspired the writing of his story, most specifically his eldest son – who shares a name with the titular character of this title – as well as how Arron’s own childhood literary passions have woven their way into his writing.
Even though you have enjoyed writing and creating stories since a young age, it’s not until now that your first book has been released. Can you please speak to how spending time with your children has reactivated your love and has ultimately led to the release of Oliver, Where Are You?
Since Oliver was born, my partner Jo and I have made a conscious effort to read stories to Oliver. Nighttime Storytime has been a special and constant part of Olivers bedtime routine. Looking at the pictures and listening to the stories brings Oliver great joy as well us as his parents.
Seeing the happiness it brings is what made me pursue the idea of publishing a story book and the thought that one day further down the line, Oliver will be proud to link his dad to the joy he has in reading stories.
Now the title of Oliver, Where Are You? is of special significance to you and your family as your eldest son is also named Oliver. Was this story created and written for him or was there an inkling of this book in your imagination before your son was born?
The story was ultimately created with Oliver at the forefront of my mind. The title and story simultaneously developed into an idea for a collection of stories, that would follow a fun and exciting theme throughout. Once I knew that I wanted to write a story for Oliver, the title and theme of the story(s) developed from there.
“Oliver, where are you?” is something we would often say to Oliver once he started crawling. To which he would often giggle and crawl back to us. It also alludes to where Oliver may be heading to in his next adventure.
The idea that Oliver’s book (within the book itself) offers him an escape to somewhere new is a deeply encouraging prospect to persuade children to read more. Was this your experience as a young reader? Did you find yourself going on adventures of you own?
Literally? No, not to a great extent. Which is why now as a parent, Jo and I would love Oliver to live as many life adventures as he possibly can. Life is precious and the opportunities can be endless, and that’s the outlook on life that we would hope Oliver will envisage.
Hopefully, this story portrays the excitement and intrigue of an adventure and how such journeys can expand upon normal life.
In a modern world where children can find adventure through many different devices, how important do you think it is for children to go on book-based adventures? Do your own children have a passion for books and stories?
Extremely important! I would describe myself as far from ‘well read’, but my parents did encourage me to read books, write stories and be creative with my thinking from a young age. That has never left my side, especially the creative thinking. Although the accessibility of ‘adventure’ through different devices seems endless in this modern world, there is something very special and unique about reading a story – Your imagination and the stories and creation that come from that! At the age of 3, Oliver is already extremely creative and uses his imagination to verbalise his creations and imaginative role play.
This first title is Oliver’s Seaside Adventure, but many more locations and journeys are waiting to be discovered. Can you give us a little tease of where Oliver’s heading next and what treasure readers can expect to be uncovered?
Indeed, there are many more adventures that Oliver is waiting to discover! Very soon, Oliver’s journey may land him back in time, millions and millions of years ago. Now extinct, what fascinating treasures may Oliver uncover and reveal to his readers…
