The Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren said: “Children perform miracles when they read.”

I find this notion really lovely.

I was born in Galway, Ireland, part of a large family where storytelling was very much part of our growing up. I graduated from Maynooth University and then settled in Calabria, Italy where I’ve taught English at secondary school level and worked as English – Italian translator. I volunteer as assistant for non-Italian speakers, especially migrants, in hospital and courtroom situations.

My writing includes articles on education, history, short stories, countless children’s stories, two novels in search of publishers.  Aged 67 and now retired from teaching I’ve decided to have another look at my storytelling ventures.

I have three children and five grandchildren. They’ve all been my writing inspiration at different times. Listening to kids inventing and telling their stories is so sweet. For them, it’s simple. If it can be said, it can happen! So I created the fictional seaside town of Kallerbay and set a series of stories there. I hope that the children, and indeed the families, who discover Kallerbay enjoy these little  stories and also creating images that the characters and places suggest.

I like hill walking and am now promoting my husband’s charming village, Gizzeria, nestling over the Mediterranean at 2000 ft.