Tell us about your book!
Geraldine the Giraffe is a book about journeys and that feeling we all have at times, of just wanting to be at home. Geraldine’s journey takes the reader through valleys, rivers, mountains on her search for the Jungalow, where her family are waiting for her!

What inspired you to write the novel?
Working as a school teacher everyday and teaching children how to write stories gave me the inspiration to create my own story about my Youtube sensation puppet Geraldine the Giraffe!

How long did it take you to write your book?
It took many weeks to write the book, but interestingly we drew the illustrations first, which was many months of hand drawing and digital editing.

Did you base any of your characters on real people?
Geraldine is the main star of the book and her character mirrors that of many children in the early years – being happy in a safe environment.

Do you have a particular method or approach to writing?
Making every word count and hiding details in the text for treasure hunters. If you look closely, everything has meaning. The boat is called ‘La Fleur’ (the flower).

Who or what was your biggest influence in deciding to become a writer?
Telling stories is one of the most ancient rituals of civilisation and they fill our childhood with imaginative tales of courage, magic, happiness and sorrow. I wanted to write something that considered what it must feel like to miss home. To be somewhere and feel that you are ‘in it’ and not ‘of it’ has strong resonance with me as a Midlander living in London.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
Keep, keep, keep writing! Edit and edit until your words leap off the page.

Who is your favourite author and why?
George RR Martin / H G Wells / Jules Verne

Which are your favourite books and why?
Catcher in the Rye, To Kill A Mockingbird, The Pearl, The Island of Dr Moreau

When you’re not writing, what do you do?
I am a teacher, moonlighting as a Youtuber and app developer (and now author)

Chris’ book, “Geraldine the Giraffe” is available to purchase on Amazon and Waterstones.