Nicola McClure

Books have always transported me to far off worlds and on amazing adventures.  But, despite my love of stories, I never imagined I would become a writer.  Science was my favourite subject growing up and I earned my BSc in Biological Sciences (Microbiology) from the University of Leicester.  During my time at university I also learnt to snowboard, tried (and failed at) salsa dancing, spent a year on work placement in Portugal and most importantly met my future husband over a shared love of karaoke.

 

After graduating and having an amazing around-the-world backpacking adventure, I returned to the UK and qualified as a TEFL teacher as a means to travel to Brazil and teach English to kids.  There, I realised that teaching is actually an incredible job (and a great way to see the world!)  So, when the opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance to teach in Hong Kong, which was where I decided that working with children was my calling.  On returning to the UK, I qualified as a teacher, specialising in Science.  One inspirational course leader in my primary school training introduced me to the power of beautiful picture books and how with a bit of planning and imagination, everything could be taught linked into a really good story!

 

I've since lived and taught in Moscow and Dubai, where our first child was born.  An unexpected perk of motherhood was spending time reading hundreds of stories with my child.  Indeed it was the likes of Julia Donaldson who inspired me to start writing my own stories.  (Turns out, writing in rhyme is harder than you think – think 'Lenguin the Penguin', the story that never was!)

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In Dubai I got my break into the world of publishing when two of my stories were chosen in the initial launch of Story For Me in the Middle East.  Then life whisked us off again, this time to Seoul, South Korea where our two daughters were born.  After seven wonderful years in Asia, we have returned to sunny England for our next adventure. 

 

When not busy parenting, writing or teaching my Rocking Rugrats music classes, I can be found chomping biscuits, guzzling ice-cream and creating story books.  I am lucky to have an extremely talented friend, Stephanie Pasquill, who has illustrated our first joint picture book ‘My House is Full of Animals’.  A story inspired by the hilarious imaginings of my son, who at aged three, frequently claimed that all sorts of creatures were preventing us from leaving the house on time!

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Now available to buy here.             

 

I look forward to visiting you soon at your school Book Week!  Finally, as a thank you for reading this far, my favourite cheesy joke is below, just for you! 

 

I hope you enjoy exploring my website.

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Bye for now!

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Nicola