After returning to education at the age of 36, as a mum to four, I have now successfully gained GCSE qualifications in both Math and English. Completed a Humanities Diploma. Been awarded a Degree in English. And have more recently completed and passed a Masters by Research. I am a bit of a nerd in my subject area which has led to me also wanting to complete a PhD.

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I shall embark on my new academic chapter in September 2021 at Liverpool John Moores University, where I shall be researching the life and letters of Susannah Darwin, nee Wedgwood, (1765-1817). Susannah is the mother of the well known naturalist Charles Darwin. More importantly Susannah's letters reveal that she is undoubtedly an interesting woman of history who deserves to be known as more than just 'Darwin's Mother'. Her correspondence contains important information about the pioneering achievements and figures of her time and the circles in which she moved, that I believe inspired Darwin's thirst for knowledge.

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I did already write that I am a bit of a nerd...

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While studying for my undergraduate degree, I had the privilege of studying children's literature, with Dr Lucy Andrews. I was scared for life by being introduced to Wolf Erlbruch's 'Duck Death and the Tulip', and I promise that I will never judge a book by its cover again. But I also learnt that picture books are a great and effective way to tackle and address controversial subjects to a young audience. So when my husband, Simon, asked me if our baby Granddaughter will be bullied at school for living with Nan and Grandad instead of Mum and Dad. I instantly knew that by writing a series of books, aimed at a young audience, about our granddaughter's situation, I could help to normalise the the lives of other children who also live in a non-conventional family unit. 

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So, here we are... 'This is Mimi' ...

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