SOPHIE ANDERSON | AUTHOR INTERVIEW
With all the gruelling news and drastic changes at schools, we can all agree that it’s more important than ever to give children (and adults, for that matter) infusions of hope and magic. The autumn leaves are falling; the warmth of home and a nice cosy blanket over tired feet beckons. It’s the ideal time to enjoy a story – and here’s a recommendation to treat your imagination.
The Castle Of Tangled Magic, by Wales Book Of The Year award-winning novelist Sophie Anderson [below], has been carried by swirling winds into release: a charming middle-grade tale of adventure, family, spirits and very long beards! Anderson’s third book, The Castle… is inspired by Russian folktales, some told to her as a child by her grandmother. Sophie – daughter of novelist Karen Watkins, best known for her historical fiction under the pen name Catrin Collier – went from scientist to successful children’s author, but did she feel it was inevitable: a life immersed in her own lyrical, impressionable literature?
“I loved stories as a child, but I had no ambitions to be a writer. My mother spent long hours typing away in a dimly lit room and it seemed like the most boring way to spend your time. I became a scientist with the aim of working outdoors, and I loved it.
“I only started writing in my thirties, and they were only short stories at first, to share with my children. So it did take me by surprise when I discovered this deep enjoyment and passion I began to feel for my writing.”
It’s always heartwarming to see a child reading a book – but there’s something immensely special about sharing stories aloud as a family, or with, say, a teacher. Sophie agrees: “Reading aloud is one of the most precious gifts we can give children. It opens doors to stories beyond reading abilities, and the opportunity to share and discuss various experiences of a story can add layers of meaning.
“Oral storytelling, when there is no book between the storyteller and the listener, can also be a magical experience. Stories are more fluid when told in this way, as both the storyteller and the listener’s responses can contribute to the direction of the tale. It’s a wonderful art.”
The Castle… has a somewhat modern Alice in Wonderland vibe, with its talking cats and delicious riddles. Heroines like her young protagonist Olia give hope to children in dark times. What messages does Sophie want to give her readers?
“There are strong themes of belief – both belief in magic, and belief in yourself. There are also messages about mistakes: how we can use them to grow, and how we can address the mistakes of our ancestors. Perhaps most importantly, I tried to express the power of love, kindness, family, friendship and community.”
Though Russian folktales predominantly breathe life into Sophie’s ideas, living amidst the green, green grass of Wales has also had some impact in her work. “I think many Welsh creatives are inspired by beautiful landscapes, ancient heritage, and poetic language, because these things are so important in Wales. When I look at my own work, and the work of other Welsh authors, I often feel an emotional connection to the land and to the tales of old, and also sense a deep passion and almost symphonic way of expressing thoughts, experiences and emotions.”
With several awards under her belt and books that dance their stories like kisses to the heart, readers will be pleased to learn that Sophie is already channelling, in part, more Slavic folklore; weaving a new middle-grade, fairytale-esque adventure as we speak! In the meantime, The Castle Of Tangled Magic is the perfect book to carry you on its wild winds to a land of unforgettable characters, where time counts down to destruction and valiant hearts fight courageously for those they love…
The Castle Of Tangled Magic is published by Usborne Children’s Books. Price: £7.99. Info: www.usborne.com
words KARLA BRADING