How The Adventures of Wiggle and Waggle Began
Sometimes the best ideas start with something small… and in this case, very fluffy.
One chilly day in December 2023, I decided to open a children’s craft kit I’d bought a few months earlier. Inside were the pieces to make two pom-pom caterpillars. I sat at my dining table, carefully glueing and shaping them until two cute, colourful little creatures appeared. I popped them on top of the fireplace next to a candle and a ceramic owl — and thought no more about it.
Well… not quite.
A few days later, while stretched out on the sofa, a little spark of an idea wriggled into my head. What if those caterpillars could talk? What adventures might they have if they could move? That spark quickly turned into a story — although the first one I wrote ended up being too grown-up for my final book (sorry, Wiggle and Waggle, maybe another time!).
But once I started writing about them, I couldn’t stop. More adventures popped into my mind — funny, light-hearted tales mixed with moments of learning, all seen through the eyes of two very mischievous caterpillars. My mum gave them their names: Wiggle and Waggle. Together, they would tell the story of a caterpillar’s life, from tiny beginnings to something truly magical.
Of course, every good children’s book needs pictures, so I began looking for the right illustrator. I’ve learned not to rush this step — finding the perfect person to bring characters to life takes patience. And then, early in 2025, a friend introduced me to the brilliant Suszan Daniels, whose artwork captured Wiggle and Waggle exactly as I’d imagined them.
With the illustrations ready, I handed everything over to my editor, Shaun Hand, who gave it the “red pen” treatment (ouch, but worth it!) and helped shape the stories into the book you’ll read today. Chris Thomas designed the cheerful, inviting cover.
And now — after 18 months of scribbling ideas, rewriting, and waiting for the perfect team to come together — The Adventures of Wiggle and Waggle is here!
It’s a heart-warming collection of short stories about the life cycle of a caterpillar, packed with humour, warmth, and a touch of wonder.
Why you’ll love it
Fun, mischievous adventures perfect for reading aloud or enjoying alone
A gentle way to explore nature and life through storytelling
Suitable for ages 5 and up — great for kids, parents, and grandparents too!
Paperback edition includes bonus content
You can now pre-order the book on Amazon, where it’s also entered into the Kindle Storyteller 2025 competition. It’s the second of three books I plan to publish this year — and one that will always hold a special place in my heart.
I hope you enjoy Wiggle and Waggle’s adventures as much as I enjoyed writing them.
