FROM A LIFE IN CRICKET TO BED TIME STORIES: STUART SIMMONDS
Stuart Simmonds, the author of Hannah the Spanner children’s books, wears many hats. He’s an ex-pro criketer, an accomplished sports coach and the owner of a thriving property business.
Stuart’s first book was an autobiography on a life in cricket, entitled Watching with my Heroes, which was widely sold through all major retailers and is on its second edition.
But his real passion is children’s books. His first series, about the adventures of Hannah the Spanner, has been a hit with adults and children alike since the first publication in 2019. The Hannah the Spanner paperback books are full of colourful imagery to keep little ones entertained; funny engaging stories to win the hearts of older kids and a storyline that adults will appreciate too.
The books were originally written as bedtime stories for Stuart’s eldest daughter Hannah, so they’re designed with reading aloud in mind. Aimed primarily at four to nine year-olds, they’re funny and witty enough to entertain the adults whilst the children enjoy the stories and pictures.
Having considered writing children’s books based on a promise made to his daughter when she was just five, late last year Stuart presented her with the first edition drafts on her 21st birthday.
Within just a year of their publication, Stuart has generated interest in a children’s TV series based on the books. The trailer for the series has been voiced by the legendary Dawn French.
Stuart’s books are popular outside the UK too, with international rights being negotiated worldwide and recent (pre-lockdown) trips to Frankfurt and Shanghai to close the deals.
Stuart is passionate about encouraging children to read and regularly visits schools across the country to run workshops that help engage youngsters with reading and books. He’s currently working on two more books; Harry the Karate Monkey is coming out on 1st of October and a new cricket book is due out in autumn 2021.
- The Hannah the Spanner series and ‘Watching with my Heroes’ are available from Waterstones and all good bookshops, Amazon and direct from the Hannah the Spanner website:
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Hannah the Spanner and other books for children | Stuhead Publishing
