Susanne Schroder was organising a weekly sing-song for a toddler group when she received a request that changed the course of her career.
She worked in publishing, having moved from Copenhagen to West Kirby, and was asked if she could write a book that could be presented to the children.
It led to the publication of a best seller, The Donkey’s First Christmas (Unlikely Heroes) – a book inspired by the nativity – and two further sequels: The Robin’s First Christmas and The Camel’s First Christmas, which has just been released.
Susanne told West Kirby Today: “The unlikely heroes tell their version of the Christmas story and how they wittingly, and unwittingly came to save the day. The series ended this November with the release of the third and final character in the series.
“One of the most frequent questions at author visits this year has been ‘what animal are you going to write about next year?’. As tempting as it may be to carry on with yet another animal’s version, a cow could give some milk, a lamb could give some wool etc, I am determined not to do any more versions of the nativity now.
“I intend instead, to move onto books that have been simmering in the background now for way too long, the first of which will be a set of rhyming riddles about our earth and it’s solar system (Freaky Facts Of The Solar System). The second will be some fun rhyming riddles on the unique attributes found in different animals at the zoo (Guess Zoo).”
Aside from readings in primary schools all over the north west, Susanne is also working on ‘The Story Makers Project’ where she, alongside a storyteller, illustrator and over 20 schools and libraries, are helping children and their families and carers create and publish their very own 32 page picture book.
In her spare time, she is patron of reading for a local literacy project, helps run an alternative provision for children with extreme anxiety and a local sing song group for toddlers.
Find out more about her writing at https://susannetschroder.com/ or pop into Linghams in Heswall on Saturday 23 December at 11am to hear or participate in a very interactive Christmas reading event – all ages welcome.
Susanne is pictured above with pupils from Moorfield Primary in Stockport. Photo credit: Lauren Stout